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  • The Casual Vacancy

  • By: J.K. Rowling
  • Narrated by: Tom Hollander
  • Length: 17 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (384 ratings)

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The Casual Vacancy

By: J.K. Rowling
Narrated by: Tom Hollander
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Publisher's Summary

Shortlisted for: UK Author of the year – Specsavers National Book Awards 2012

When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early 40s, 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 facade 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.

©2012 J.K. Rowling (P)2012 Hachette Digital

What listeners say about The Casual Vacancy

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

really want a sequel!

J.K has done it again. step into a world devoid of magic, muggles or hogwarts. Instead, become surrounded by the idyllic countryside of Padford. Delve into the hearts and minds of Padfords community members and become consumed with the inner workings of their friendships, politics and family secrets bursting to come to light.
thank you J.K Rowling!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

Thoroughly engaging story about everyday lives. Brilliantly written and read. Sad, funny, just a great story.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Be Prepared for Some Self Evaulation !!

Where does The Casual Vacancy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I had listened to the three Cormoran Strike books before I listened to this one and it was a difficult transition to go back to this type of novel. At first I didn't like it, a bit slow to get going and thought it was just about small town gossip, but its so much more than that. Very though provoking and some introspection takes place, not always bring oneself out in a good light.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I think my favourite character was Krystal. So tough and yet so vulnerable.

Have you listened to any of Tom Hollander’s other performances? How does this one compare?

My first experience of Tom Hollander. Took me a while to get into his style but he settled down to a slower more even narration which was rich and round and I loved his various accents.

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

There were lots of moments in the book which were quite moving, the treatment of Andrew & Paul by their father, the hopelessness of Terri's situation, the bullying of Sukhvinder. But I think the saddest part at the end was what happened to Krystal and Robbie.

Any additional comments?

A good read. Not a happy read, but very worth while.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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sobering but brilliant book

I've always loved the way Rowling weaved values and politics into the Harry Potter books. The writing in Casual Vacancy draws the reader into the characters and is a sensitive balanced story of class issues and local politics in the UK.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

A Weird Story

If you like petty politics and people who hate their children and partners this is the book for you. Slow moving, hard to maintain interest. Only stayed with it in the hope it would improve.
Expected better from. J. K.R.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

The Casual Vacancy

This was an interesting book. As usual, it is always hard to imagine J.K. Rowling writing anything other than Harry Potter; however, I have been very suprised at her ability to write for adult's. This book takes time starting to get aquainted with the characters. This takes time is well worth the wait as you really get the feel for the the characters and there lives. Overall, well worth the read. Cheers J.K.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Not Satisfied at all

Not happy. Would have been nice to know about the foul language before I had purchased this book. Didn't listen anymore after hearing it. Didn't even finish the first chapter, I believe . I would like to return it for a credit, please

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • rob
  • 13-06-2017

disappointed

good story, crap ending it just fizzled out and went nowhere, very very disappointed, do more cormaron books

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A casual vacancy

Tom Hollander's brilliant narration has brought every single character in this exceptionally good story to life.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Reviewed

Interesting book, but too many plots intertwined. Would have been better if kept simpler and one main plot.

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