The Casual Vacancy

The Casual Vacancy is the first (and only) non-Harry Potter book I've read by J. K. Rowling. And it was a really interesting read. I tend to read fantasy/SF or historical fiction...fiction in a day-in-the-life sort of style is not something I've ever found myself drawn to. But I enjoyed this book. The time-span covered by the book is not long, there is not one major crisis event at the centre of the story; instead it is a deep exploration of a handful of characters in a small English village as they deal with the sudden and unexpected death of a well-known and important figure in the village.

The constantly shifting narration was confusing at moments, but the characters were extremely interesting. No one is straightforward. Every character has vices and flaws, dreams and ambitions, and they all experience hurt and insecurity. There were moments when I hated most of them, and felt bad for almost all of them. You never consider how one man's death could tear a village apart at the very seams. Secrets are revealed, politics are hijacked and manipulated, the realization of the fragility of life affects people in a number of different ways. I was particularly attached to the story of Krystal, the teen from the wrong side of town whose family and life were affected by drugs. The dead man had picked her up and turned her life around, and I think that she was actually the most central character in the story. Her underdog story grabbed my attention and my heartstrings.

This was a fairly enjoyable, easy read. I think that it is worth adding to your reading list, even if it's just there to shake things up.