The Casual Vacancy by J.K.Rowling

"6.11   A casual vacancy is deemed to have occurred:
           (a)  when a local councilor fails to make his declaration of acceptance of office within the proper time; or
           (b)  when his notice of resignation is received; or
           (c)  on the day of his death....
                                Charles Arnold-Baker, Local Council Administration, Seventh Edition"
                                                   -from the novel

Whew! I finally finished this one! What a disappointment it was! I have been a huge fan of the Harry Potter series by this author so I was looking forward to reading her first departure.  I usually finish a book in a week or less. This one took at least twice as long, definitely not a page turner.

The story revolves around the sudden death of Barry Fairbrother, which leaves a seat on the Parish Council in the small town of Pagford. (This, of course, is the casual vacancy.) Several snobbish, self-absorbed characters become political enemies in vying for the seat.  Add in some other small-minded characters who are seemingly at war---rich vs. poor, wives vs. husbands, teenagers vs. parents---and you get a tedious 500-page read. Where Rowling's Harry Potter novels were enchanting and oh, so creative, A Casual Vacancy is quite depressing. It seems as if she is trying too hard to break away from her niche as a children's author with disturbing adult themes, highly dysfunctional families and lots of foul language. I can only give this novel a 2 because I pretty much forced myself to finish it.

I do plan to read The Cuckoo's Calling by Rowling under the pen name  Robert Galbraith.  Her writing is still excellent. The Casual Vacancy is just NOT a good story. As one reviewer said, this novel has a vacancy of heart.