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Slow,
Interesting,
Insightful

8 reviews

The Casual Vacancy

by J. K. Rowling

Published: 2013-07-23
Paperback : 512 pages

21 members reading this now
36 clubs reading this now
7 members have read this book

Recommended to book clubs by 5 of 8 members

No other editions available.

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Introduction

A big novel about a small town...

When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early forties, 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 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 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.

Editorial Review

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Excerpt

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Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

Why, after he is dead, is Robby seen as more valuable than when he was alive?

Samantha says no one knows a marriage but the 2 people in it. She hates Miles, then wants to comfort him. Is that typical of any marriage?

Could Barry have saved Chrystal thru mentoring?

by hopewellmomschool (see profile) 08/29/13

Weblinks

»	Publisher's Book Info
»	You Tube Video of J.K. Rowling at Lincoln Center

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

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Book Club Recommendations

Recommended to book clubs by 5 of 8 members.

Good but leisurely

by HeatherD (see profile) 11/15/15

Allow a bit of time - the pacing can be slow in places.

Member Reviews

Overall rating:

by Maureen W. (see profile) 06/07/19

by anne s. (see profile) 02/26/19

by Elizabeth D. (see profile) 08/27/18

by Erica C. (see profile) 05/10/17

by Mary A. (see profile) 12/11/16

by Vera M. (see profile) 05/21/16

"The Casual Vacancy"by Tracy M. (see profile) 02/22/16

All of the club agreed that the writing was good and it kept our interest. Sometimes the number of characters was confusing, especially in the beginning. Not many, maybe one, were sympathetic and overall... (read more)

by Heather D. (see profile) 11/15/15

by Barbara T. (see profile) 06/29/14

"The Casual Vacancy"by Lisa C. (see profile) 04/07/14

As one of maybe 12 people on the planet who has not read any of the Harry Potter books, I was pleasantly surprised by the descriptive and wonderful writing style of JK Rowling. Many characters reside in... (read more)

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