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LucyBlueCastle
Joined: 29 Apr 2011
Posts: 26
Location: South Carolina
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 Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2012 9:18 am Post subject: AAR's Review of The Casual Vacancy |
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I was surprised to see AAR review this book - everything else I've heard about it suggests it's anything but a romance - but I'm so very glad you did. I've been very much on the fence about this one, mostly because of the reviews I've read elsewhere. I'm a huge fan of the Harry Potter series as a story and Rowling as a writer, but I'm a total wimp about kids-being-brutalized-to-prove-a-point stories. My reaction is almost always, 'yes, I get it; now remove those images from my brain, please.' Every other review I've read has focused on either the cluelessness of Potter-lovers who can't accept Rowling as an adult writer or the perversity of Rowling herself in writing a book where everybody's mean. Neither viewpoint ever seemed to get around to writing about the book as a story, separated from its writer and its role in the publishing universe.
Obviously this one does - hallelujah! I'm now pretty sure that 1)it's going to upset me; and 2)it's going to be totally worth it. So thanks very much! |
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Natalie
Joined: 25 Mar 2007
Posts: 1566
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| Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2012 9:37 am Post subject: |
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| I'm curious about JK as an adult author as well but I'm not sure I want to read a book where everyone is mean and life sucks. Harry Potter, while not perfect, was a unique series while books like Casual Vacancy are a dime a dozen. |
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MMcA
Joined: 26 Mar 2007
Posts: 624
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| Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2012 9:37 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | I'm a total wimp about kids-being-brutalized-to-prove-a-point stories. |
I'd usually feel the same way: last month - for the first time ever -I didn't finish my book club book, because of the way a child was being treated in the story. I just had to leave it; it was too upsetting. But for whatever reason, I had no problem reading this book despite the abuse that takes place.
As for the book, I found it a really slow starter - for the first half, everyone just seemed to wander round being unlikeable. (Except for the dead character - can't tell you how annoying it gets when the only nice person is dead.)
But I really enjoyed reading the second half, once things started to happen. And I agree with Blythe, the teenage characters were the saving grace of the book for me - I think she writes teenagers well. |
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blytheaar
Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 49
Location: Denver, CO
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| Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 1:41 pm Post subject: Thank you |
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Thanks, Lucy.
Obviously, our site is mostly romance, and I read mostly romance. But I usually figure if I am interested in something, others might be as well. I'm glad you found the review helpful.
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Blythe
AAR Managing Editor |
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