It’s been 5 years since J.K. Rowling released the last of the Harry Potter books, smashing all records for children’s books. The vast popularity and acclaim of her work means that anything she touches turns to gold, but will that also mean that her latest venture, The Casual Vacancy, is actually worth reading.
If the release were a new fantasy fiction saga for children then it would be a pretty good bet that classroom votes on it would be pretty much in favour, but the big news is that J.K. Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy is aimed at the grown up side of the wizarding fence.
The book is set in the little town of Pagford, following the life-changing aftermath of the death of one Barry Fairbrother. While on the surface, Pagford looks like the perfect town, but scratching below the surface is the creeping hand of war that holds sway over the ancient little town.
With factions in all walks of life, the place’s dirty secrets come to a head when the empty seat for the parish council left by the departed Mr. Fairbrother becomes the fulcrum for the war to end all Pagford wars. With the big election on the horizon, the townsfolk muster up all their bile to take the winner’s podium.
J.K. Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy was released today (27th September 2012) in hardback by little, brown BOOK GROUP. It’s available to order online from Amazon.co.uk.
