Gatchamania.net - Print: Is Anyone Reading The Casual Vacancy?

Gatchamania.net (http://www.gatchamania.net/index.php)
- [Entertainment] (http://www.gatchamania.net/board.php?boardid=200)
-- The Book Nook (http://www.gatchamania.net/board.php?boardid=25)
--- Is Anyone Reading The Casual Vacancy? (http://www.gatchamania.net/threadid.php?threadid=4150)

Posted by Transmute Jun on 06-10-2012 at 16:32:

Is Anyone Reading The Casual Vacancy?

I just started this (I'm about 100 pages in) but so far... blah. None f the characters are particularly likable, and I don't feel like I have anyone to 'root' for, IYKWIM. It's just plodding and dull. Additionally, it seems to be overly crude... as if Rowling is trying to be shocking with her choice of language, to separate herself from the HP series. I think she could have gotten her point across in a much smoother manner. The crudity is very jarring (at least to me) and is a turnoff. You guys know me: I don't mind discussions of sexual relationships or teen boys thinking about sex, but the way she describes things just sets my teeth on edge.

I'm wondering if it gets better? I'm thinking of giving it up already (and generally I don't do that; I like to see books through to the end).

__________________

Posted by Daniella T on 06-10-2012 at 16:52:

I've reached page 200, and still I'm not thrilled with it. Maybe I had too high hopes. I detect a hint of mystery (Tessa's past, basically) so I guess I'l stick with it.

__________________
They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Naturally, they became heroes -- Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan.

Posted by amethyst on 06-10-2012 at 17:14:

I've been waiting. I usually wait for paperbacks unless I'm really into a series or something.

I know the reviews I've seen have been more miss than hit.

__________________
Perspective Alters Reality

Posted by KT1972 on 06-10-2012 at 17:23:

I prefer to wait until I can borrow them from the library before I'll purchase a book, and then, like Ame, wait for paperback, although it sounds like she's falling back on her success with the Harry Potter series to sell this.

I will try to read it first before making any judgement on the actual story.

__________________
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope. - HELEN KELLER

Posted by Transmute Jun on 06-10-2012 at 18:20:

I don't know... I'm getting the impression that it's not that she's 'falling back on her success' more than that she is just trying too hard to do something that's completely different... and in trying to be completely different, she's caused it to be devoid of anything interesting.

At least, that's my impression so far. I'll try another hundred pages or so.

__________________

Posted by Reboekah on 06-10-2012 at 18:26:

I was not overly impressed by the last three of the HP series. Too much exposition by far. Could have cut 2/3rds of the text in my estimation and still had a good to great story.

No interest in getting her latest...

__________________
-Boeke
Bird Scramble OE
155 issues - 36.5Years! - and flying high!

Posted by k2p2 on 06-10-2012 at 20:17:

quote:

Originally posted by Reboekah
I was not overly impressed by the last three of the HP series. Too much exposition by far. Could have cut 2/3rds of the text in my estimation and still had a good to great story.

My sentiments exactly. It is as though because of her success, she no longer needed an editor...and from what I read of her latest effort, she stated essentially the same thing...she self edits her work, and frankly, it shows.

quote:

No interest in getting her latest...

Me neither.

__________________
The world looks less difficult when standing next to a close friend.

Posted by lborgia88 on 11-10-2012 at 01:21:

I'm sort of curious about it but not enough to buy it, though I wouldn't rule out reading it if I should happen to come across a copy right before a long plane trip or something like that, but nearly everything I like to read has a scifi, fantasy or historical setting/premise so her latest isn't so much my thing.

Posted by Transmute Jun on 11-10-2012 at 13:25:

So I've given it another 100 pages. It's picked up a bit, and I'll probably finish it now, but it's still not overly thrilling. I certainly can't see myself reading it again in the future, or really recommending it.

Oh, and I figured out why it's an 'adult' book... you wouldn't want kids reading it because the teens in this book loathe their parents and do horrible things to them. Sigh...

ETA LB, if you want to read the book on a long airplane flight, I can bring my copy to Comic Con next year and let you borrow it for the return journey. And no rush getting it back to me... Wink

__________________

Posted by Tengu on 11-10-2012 at 18:45:

WHSmith are giving it away with a Г‚ВЈ30 purchase.

I guess its not good

__________________
"If you think I am a Condor, you may keep that opinion;
Though I am no Condor, my Skylines rusty enough."

Posted by lborgia88 on 12-10-2012 at 04:35:

quote:

Originally posted by Transmute Jun

ETA LB, if you want to read the book on a long airplane flight, I can bring my copy to Comic Con next year and let you borrow it for the return journey. And no rush getting it back to me... Wink

Hey, there's a plan! And I'm usually actually awake on the return flight.

Posted by Daniella T on 27-10-2012 at 20:59:

Ok guys, I finished it! Actually, for me, it got better and better, and had a really shocking ending. Thinking back, I think I liked it a lot more than I thought originally. It's human, hard-hitting, not something I'd had read if it wasn't JKR, but, for what it is, I think it's a good book.

__________________
They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Naturally, they became heroes -- Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan.