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masterofmystery · #1 (**permalink**) 09-28-2012, 08:31 PM

For months, if not years, Harry Potter fans have been waiting for JK Rowling to release her first book after the end of the phenomenal series. That came this fall with the release of her first book for adults, The Casual Vacancy, a story of a small English town with some rather colourful characters.

As this is Rowling's first book after Harry Potter, and obviously millions have already purchased it and are either currently trying to whiz through the 500-page tome or are speedy readers and have completed it, we thought we should allow SnitchSeeker members and readers to partake in an open discussion.

Please note that of course this thread will contain spoilers for the book, including what the author said was a heartbreaking ending. All SnitchSeeker general rules apply, despite the amount of adult themes and language in The Casual Vacancy itself.

Feel free to talk about all the characters, shenanigans, and goings-on in The Casual Vacancy, and of course questions are allowed for readers to ask amongst each other (and not all the staff, as we haven't finished it!).

Even if you haven't finished it and just want to voice your initial thoughts on the book, feel free to do so (though again be wary of spoilers). Do enjoy the chat - even if you may not have enjoyed the book... and don't be surprised if everyone didn't.

FEEL FREE TO DISCUSS THE CASUAL VACANCY IN THE COMMENTS BELOW (click here to register to SnitchSeeker in order to participate). Site members can also discuss the book here in our forums.

Order J.K. Rowling's 512-page book The Casual Vacancy now, via:

Amazon.com - The Casual Vacancy Hardcover | The Casual Vacancy Kindle
Amazon.co.uk - The Casual Vacancy Hardcover | The Casual Vacancy Kindle
Amazon Canada - The Casual Vacancy Hardcover | The Casual Vacancy Audio CD

TeamHarry · 09-28-2012, 08:52 PM

I'm almost halfway the book and all I can say is: It's sooo good!! Love reading it!

WingFloo140 · 09-29-2012, 09:14 PM

I stayed up until 6 this morning finishing the book. I'm so tired, but it was really difficult to put down. So, my (hazy) thoughts ...

J.K. Rowling is genius when it comes to characterization and describing a scene. There are so many quotable analogies; I just love her writing style.

The plot and tone I'd describe as Dickensian yet, whoa, mature (really, not for kids!). The dark humor left a wry little smile on my face for much of the book, but the end really makes for misty eyes.

I found it a little frustrating that whenever I thought, "Okay, here's a character I can finally like," I end up discovering he or she has some deep flaws that make the character completely, or nearly, unlikable. You have to be forgiving and very empathetic towards most of the characters to get through the book. Some redeem themselves by the end, thankfully.

I think it was incredibly brave of J.K. to publish this book. It's raw, painful, and so very much not Harry Potter. She really put herself out there. As always, inspiring.

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Anyone else picture Shirley as Muggle Umbridge?