The Casual Vacancy

By: J.K. Rowling

Narrated by: Tom Hollander

Length: 17 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Shortlisted for: UK Author of the year – Specsavers National Book Awards 2012

When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early 40s, the 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 facade 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 first seems. And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish 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?

A big novel about a small town, The Casual Vacancy is J.K. Rowling's first novel for adults. It is the work of a storyteller like no other.

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

Love it

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

The writing style was great and I found that I was immersed in the story.

Any additional comments?

As good as HP

Great insight into people

After a slow start and the need to change "parish council" to "local/shire council" in my mind ( ie not parish as in church) I became totally absorbed by the characters and insight into the politics and motivation of people living in a small community. No one is all good or all bad and this book is agreat reminder and insight into people.

The human condition wonderfully observed

Where does The Casual Vacancy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Definitely in my top 3

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

Tom Hollander's narration was fantastic - he added so much to the pleasure of listening to this book. So easy on the ear & each character so distinct.

Any additional comments?

I came to this book with an open mind. I was nearly turned off starting it by 'comparisons' to the 'Grey' books. I've not read the latter but for my money JK Rowling has captured magnificently the human condition in the sweeping breadth of its diversity. I laughed out loud & cried too. I loved Krystal & Sukvinder. My heart went out to so many of the characters, including Krystal's mother Terri.

I found the writing highly evocative; when the social worker describes entering the Wheedon home I almost gagged on the smell, not only the ammonia coming off of Robbie's nappies but metaphorically the stench of neglect and poverty.

I thought more than once we ought give more regard to 'children' if only because they'll soon be deciding the future for those of us already 'adults'. And it reminded me of the debate with regard to refugees and asylum seekers - when those who have reached 'safety' & made a better life for themselves want to turn around & pull up the ladder so as to prevent others less fortunate doing the same.

I've been so keen to discuss it with others, I ask all my friends if they've read it & have been disappointed that all have been put off by negative publicity. I couldn't recommend it more highly!

Loved it even more the second time

Fantastic characters you'll love to loathe. Hard to listen to at times but so compelling

Don't have expectations!

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

Rowling excels at providing the reader with complex characters - almost as if you are first looking at the shadow from a cardboard cut-out, a shallow cliche that slowly grows in complexity for good or ill. I came into the story with few pre-conceived ideas as to what I would find - other than there would be no magic.

Indeed, there was none. There was life, in all its hard brutal reality, starkly painted and unforgiving.

A book to enjoy for its difference.

What about Tom Hollander’s performance did you like?

Tom Hollander provides an even pace and warm tones that do not distract from the story.

don't listen in an open car

As I said in the opening the language was quite startling and considering I was driving through a car park listening through the speakers in my car with the roof down, I had to quickly turn it off in case I caused offence. Now I am prepared for open spaces.
JK Rowlings knows how to set a scene and does it just as effectively in this tale. It is quite a dark story and whilst I am only half way though I really wanted to warn people that they may not want to play it aloud in the earshot of others.
The characters are great and the story is gritty, would I listen again? Probably not but am I enjoying it, yes.

Ordinary Story - exceptionally written!

Would you try another book from J. K. Rowling and/or Tom Hollander?

Yes, very well written, just a very trivial average story

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Completely.... It was just so detailed about average life!

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

Vey well narrated

Do you think The Casual Vacancy needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No

so many characters!

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

its probably easier to follow as an audio book

Any additional comments?

This book was really slow to start & the huge number of characters made it difficult to follow but once I was into it & knew who everyone was I really enjoyed it

Tragi-comedy: right mix of high jinx and hardship

What did you love best about The Casual Vacancy?

It is peopled with real, raw characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Casual Vacancy?

Barry Fairbrother's death and that of Robbie/Krystal.

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

I liked Krystal the most: she had no pretence about her and had strong convictions about what was right and wrong. Also, she was unafraid to speak her truth, irrespective of who it might have offended.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I felt quite gutted by the close of the novel, as I had come to know and love the characters so well. I cared about what would happen to them and felt their grief and pain. I also enjoyed Rowling's ability to lighten the mood periodically: with so much tension throughout the novel, it was a necessary relief!

Any additional comments?

Having only ever read Rowling’s first Harry Potter novel, and not being overly keen on the genre, I was not expecting to enjoy the author’s first foray into adult literature. But from the opening sentence I was hooked. The little west county township of Pagford is peopled with three-dimensional characters whose lives are as real and raw as anything I’ve experienced in life. This truly is a tragicomedy with its mix of high jinx and hardship although the latter dominates the novel, punctuated periodically with wry humour and the ordinariness of life. The mark of an effective novel for many readers is its ability to keep them entertained and/or reading. No problem on either score there, for me! I was compelled to read on, caught up in the actions and reactions of the Pagford community: from Barry Fairbrother’s cameo appearance and haunting reminders, to the Wheedon family, especially that of the sixteen year old Krystal, a junkie with potential, caught up in a tragic cesspool – and all the diverse characters in between. What I found particularly appealing was Rowling’s ability to allow the reader to fill in the gaps: Rowing doesn’t take her readers for granted, nor treat them as if they’re lacking in sufficient intellect to work through the plot. There is a subtle cleverness to her writing. The author knows how to create vivid imagery for the reader. At one point, Rowling’s character, Shirley, buries an Epi Pen in the back garden, like a “tiny corpse”, having reconsidered its use as a lethal weapon. The novel is filled with this kind of gritty imagery that leaves one filled with regret or revulsion. Moreover, there is no hint of Harry Potter wistfulness here (thank God!). Rowling has considered her adult audience and adapted her writing style powerfully. The raw edginess of the tone and base language attributed to her characters, are appropriate for the context and characters, providing realism and a sense of time and place. I’m pleased that Rowling has moved on from kid’s literature, to an adult audience where she can more fully explore her literary repertoire.

Not expected; Parallels reality for many I'm sure!

This is not what I expected from Rowling. Having said that it was not difficult to cast off the expectations of magic and fantasy and become immersed in the lives of a petty few.

Sadly I could draw many parallels to reality the story could of been about any committee in a closed or small community. The characters came to life quickly and very soon your second guessing only to be thrown down another path.

The plot is not overly complicated but twists and turns in a way that makes you keep listening and eager to witness the next interaction of characters.

Rowling is a good writer, this story is full of swear words that serve their purpose in building the characters and their intellect. As mentioned the plot is not so complicated but well written and if you can get over the expletives I challenge anyone not to at least find it interesting and thought provoking.... I'm sure you'll know someone just like one of the characters and identify with another in some way.

The performance was a little drawn out but listen at 1 1/2 speed and you still get the inflections and character and probably enjoy the story a little more for the pace.

Overall worth the credit - but that's just my opinion; try it for yourself!