The Casual Vacancy

By: J.K. Rowling

Narrated by: Tom Hollander

Length: 17 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

When Barry Fairweather dies unexpectedly in his early 40s, the little town of Pagford is left in shock.

Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war. Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils.... Pagford is not what it at first seems. And the empty seat left by Barry on the town's council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity, and unexpected revelations?

Blackly comic, thought-provoking, and constantly surprising, The Casual Vacancy is J.K. Rowling's first novel for adults.

©2012 J.K. Rowling (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Unexpected & Wonderful

If you're looking for Harry Potter and Hogwarts this is not it. With that said - it was a masterpiece in its own right. I felt as though I knew the characters and their home through Rowling's use of searing wit and poignant insight. A simplistic perspective would be to dismiss this community of people as damaged and unlikable. Upon closer look you'll find them to be complexed and terribly human.

Amazing

What made the experience of listening to The Casual Vacancy the most enjoyable?

Rowling's ability to draw you in to the most mundane town and yet capture you in their daily lives. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't wait to see what happens

What about Tom Hollander’s performance did you like?

He was able to draw you into the story and had great voices/accents. Will definitely be looking to listen to anything else he narrates

An Anglophile's delight

What did you love best about The Casual Vacancy?

I love British stories of all kinds, especially ones that take place in small hamlets. These characters were very vivid, made more so by Tom Hollander's narration. Everyone was a little flawed, yet no one had no redeeming qualities (well, almost no one). I was able to empathize with almost all the characters at some point, and see where each was coming from.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I listened a while ago and sadly, can't remember her name. The troubled teenage girl who was on the rowing team. I believe it was Crystal, but I'm not sure. I was particularly sympathetic to her attachment to her little brother, and her discouraging situation.

What does Tom Hollander bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His normal voice is very deep and soothing, and he had well-defined voices for each character. I could tell immediately who was speaking before the text indicated it. There were a lot of characters in this book; I think his interpretations helped keep them vivid.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, but if I say it, it's a spoiler. Late in the book, involving the teenage girl I mention as my favorite character.

Awesome!

Well, I have to say that I was pleasantly delighted with this new book by J.K. Rowling. I have to admit I was a little afraid to read this having read and LOVED the Harry Potter Series. I bought the book and was taken in right from the first chapter. The narrator was fantastic as well so the whole experience was positive.

Ok, I am not going to try like a professional critic here. I thought the story was great, I was fully engaged the entire way through. The characters were relatable and I cared about them as I heard the story. I thought the subject matter was really interesting and it made me think a lot about my own life the the lives of those around me. What kind of domino effect would take place if I died? Would it matter?

Great book. Highly recommend it!!

J.K. has done it brilliantly!!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Casual Vacancy to be better than the print version?

I did not purchase the book and can only imagine that the reader enhanced Ms Rowlings words and made it more unable to put down until it was over....and then wanting more.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Crystal

What does Tom Hollander bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He was so believable...I wonder if I would have been so moved without his voice.

If you could rename The Casual Vacancy, what would you call it?

Small Town Everwhere

Any additional comments?

I hope we dont have to wait so long for J.K. Rowlimgs next book.
Also, she portrayed so well the life of the abused and how when children are abused the entire rest of their lives can be destroyed, as well as everyone they come in contact with. I always knew I couldnt handle the life of a social worker( being a nurse was hard enough).

Hit the spot for a serious and relevant story

Any additional comments?

This book was exactly what I was hoping for--a serious, well written story, with relevant themes about our society. Perhaps it's what I wanted because I've been feeling a bit bitter about class discrepancies and the ever widening gap between the rich and poor, as well as our inability to hold a productive conversation as a society geared towards finding an answer. Regardless it's a good story--tragic, poignant, and well done. I would not recommend this to someone looking for a book to fill the void left by the end of the Harry Potter series... It's simply not that kind of a novel.

WOW! WHAT CAN I SAY?

If you could sum up The Casual Vacancy in three words, what would they be?

HEARTBREAKING, DARK, INTRIGUING

Would you recommend The Casual Vacancy to your friends? Why or why not?

YES - especially ones with children

Which character – as performed by Tom Hollander – was your favorite?

Robbie

If you could take any character from The Casual Vacancy out to dinner, who would it be and why?

It would be Kay

Any additional comments?

This book was not great, it was sad, once I got two thirds into it, I had to find out what was going to happen. I found the book hard to follow so I purchased the audio book which was MUCH better. The narrator was great! The voice of Howard sounded just like Hagrid! I think JK did an EXCELLENT job on her first book after Harry. Nothing could have come close and to expect it too was pure fantasy!

Awesome

What made the experience of listening to The Casual Vacancy the most enjoyable?

A really great story. You get so involved with the characters, and really feel for them. I would highly recommend The Casual Vacancy to anyone. I read this because I loved Harry Potter... and while it's NOTHING like Harry Potter, it's still great writing and a great story. A must read.

Zac

One of the best books I have heard. Tom's reading of it was spectacular. Well worth it.

Excellent Book

Would you consider the audio edition of The Casual Vacancy to be better than the print version?

I think the narration of this book was excellent. I also think this is a silly question.

What does Tom Hollander bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Being an American, I think that actually hearing the book in the British accent really made it more authentic.

Who was the most memorable character of The Casual Vacancy and why?

Chystal Weedon was the most memorable character. Her life was so tragic.

Any additional comments?

This book was excellent! Rowling has no problem writing for an adult audience... can't wait her next book!