Why was there no warning re graphic content?

This book was so depressing if I had continued listening to it I would have had to go on medication. No likeable characters, no redeeming features for any of the protagonists. I think Rowling's thought process was "What can I write about that's the complete antithesis of Harry Potter" ?

The writing must be good as I always was feeling the need for a hot shower to scrub clean. I may one day get hold of a paper copy to make sure all the horrible people get their just desserts, but I can no longer listen to it in the car when I cannot fast forward and have to listen to the foul, depressing distasteful things described in this book.

If I never read another word about adolescent sexual 'awakenings', particularly those of spotty masturbating boys, it will be way too soon. A tired subject that bores me no end and was never worthy of any literary merit.

Horrible, horrible book. It will be a long time before I spend my money on a JK Rowling book.

7 people found this helpful

Reality - and exceptional insight

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I can't wait for more people to read this. It's a very true portrayal of marginalization and the light and shadow of intimate relationships.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Both Crystal and Andrew haunt me. Their circumstances, vulnerability and strength evoke empathy and hope for their happiness. Rowling understands duality in humans where the good and the bad sit alongside each other. She shows the irrefutable reasoning behind life choices we otherwise criticize.

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

Great reader! He easily moves between the accents to embody the characters.

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

I can't forget the final scene.

Any additional comments?

I wonder if the reason for negative reader reviews is due to their expectation of fantasy based literature. The very realist style of this book is its strength.

7 people found this helpful

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.

7 people found this helpful

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.

6 people found this helpful

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

2 people found this helpful

no no no crude rude and I hate the C word.

What would have made The Casual Vacancy better?

could not believe it expected exciting adult fun and its boring town council with crude words and teenage sex and drug taking.. did not expect it .. I am in my 50's so no child ...

Would you ever listen to anything by J. K. Rowling again?

give it a go

What didn’t you like about Tom Hollander’s performance?

dull and he even sounded bored with the telling.. but good voices

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Casual Vacancy?

the amount of the swearing it was toooooo much. I do not care that it is the way of the world now but tooooo much for me. good luck to all that like it....

Any additional comments?

got warned sorry I paid to hear this and I have 1000's of audio books from a great variety of authors... including of course Harry Potter.. I did not want another Harry but wanted an experience of sensual adult excitement with no magic written.. I got mmmmmmmm.. new school kids that are rude and crude.

7 people found this helpful

Never could get into finishing this book.

After Harry Potter and fantastic beast I thought I would love anything that’s JK Rowing wrote. But this is one book I could not get into. And because of this I never finished it.
I was dreamily disappointed. Maybe I was just expecting Harry Potter or the fantastic beast can I couldn’t get that out of my mind.

1 person found this helpful

Slow - but Wonderful Characters

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

Different, individual, sad

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I must admit, it was slow to begin with and hard for me to get into - but that is only because it is a style I'm not used to reading, NOT a reflection of the writing.

The ending was heartbreaking, and I expected to be left with something more - but there wasn't and that was a little disappointing, but the story was just that, a story. It had no message or hidden agenda, just a story about ordinary people in a hard situation.

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

I think he did them all very well.

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

It made me laugh and cry and angry and lots of emotions. A good emotional roller coaster.

Any additional comments?

Anyone expecting or hoping for something similar to HP should look elsewhere. It's sophisticated and mature. Not for someone who is squeamish of swearing or sexual reference or abuse. Anyone who feels offended by the harsh brutalities of life should stay away.

For myself, I loved the brutal honesty. I loved that she didn't shy away from the horrible aspects of life. I loved the nature of this book and how she purposefully lays bare those things about life that scare people and the way she shows how those things affect us. There is no sugar coating, and she tackles it all beautifully.

I was heartbroken by the ending, but I was also a little disappointed - it took me a long time to get into the story, but once I was into it, I was committed and frankly I expected a bit more from the ending. However, I now believe there was no specific purpose to this story, it was just a story. And it was a heartbreaking, yet beautiful one at that.

1 person found this helpful

Sadly disappointing

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

If this book had been written without every sentence containing negative sexual content, and instead kept to a story base, it would have been an OK read, a book like many others. I do not think it lived up to her previous writings at all.

What could J. K. Rowling have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

J K Rowling has a supreme gift of word use which comes through at times. However, this is so overlayered by the negatives that her gifts unfortunately do not shine.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

As above, I did not enjoy much about this book. My least favourite from Audible.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Not much

Any additional comments?

Having seen a book written by J K Rowling was at last available on Audible I was delighted. Unfortunately, this did not measure up to my expectations. I found the book unpleasant and not worth the credit nor the time I spent listening to it. Out of the 19 hours this book takes to read, I listened to two and three quarter hours, waiting to see if it would improve. It didn't. In my opinion it was a sad waste of talent.

4 people found this helpful

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

3 people found this helpful