The Casual Vacancy, book review. (J. K. Rowling)

Well, this book was a bit of a surprise. On one hand I had people telling me how good it was, whilst on the other, I had people saying that they just couldn't get into it; so, I approached it with mixed feelings.
I have to confess, I did see the BBC adaptation of this before I read the book, but if anything, it enhanced the whole experience.
After the unfortunate and premature death of a well liked local councillor, the village of Pagford is thrown into disarray. They have, a Casual Vacancy.
As one progresses through the book and the lives of those that live in Pagford unfold, the divisions between them become clear. People from all over start getting delusions of grandeur, wondering if they are the right person for the opening; convincing themselves that they are, and so a bitter contest begins. After several vicious cyber attack on the deceased's council page, people start dropping out of the race, accusations start to fly, and the contest gets ugly.
On the top rung of societies ladder -in their opinion-  are the hard working upper middle class folk that have lived in the village all there lives, (and happen to be on the council already, trying to pressurise their solicitor son into taking up the vacancy). Then there's a bit of new money, followed by the hard working middle class, aspiring to greater things. Then there's the lower class, who have a tendency to steal things, and then you reach the drug taking alcoholic council tenants, at the very bottom rung. 
In fact, Krystal Weedon, the teenage daughter of said drug addict, is my favourite character in the book, (I write predominantly teen fiction, so she was an eye opener for me). Her struggle to be accepted, by her mum, her brother, the kids at school, her would be boyfriend,  is both heartfelt, alarming and damn right scary, in equal measure. 
The depth of character that the author has imbued here is tantamount to her skill in the art of writing, and to think I actively avoided this book for a while, thinking that it wouldn't come up to my expectations after her first seven novels. How wrong I was.
This was my number one book of the year last year, (see my blog post of the 31st December) and for good reason. 
I know I sing the virtues of books all the time, but if you don't get the chance to fit this one into your busy schedule, check out the BBC adaptation. It ready is very good, particularly Abigail Lawrie's portrayal of Krystal Weedon. I have a feeling we might be seeing a lot more of her on our screens over the next few years. 
So, a solid and well deserved five stars for J K Rowlings first, non Harry Potter novel. Long may it continue. 

Mad Mike's Writing Blog, Book of the Year 2015

This isn't about books written this year, or even books published this year; this is about the books I have read this year, and there are thirty or so to choose from (a recent record for me). So, where does one start?

I won't bore you with a big long list and go through each book individually, suffice to say that many of the books I've read this year have already been reviewed, right hear on this blog, so you'll probably have a good idea where this is going.

For those of you that are new here, or just flitter in and out from time to time, you can always look back through my historic posts or look at my Amazon reviews; for all the others, I'll skip the chaff, the mediocre, and move straight to the top five.

In at number 5, with its intriguing, dystopian alternative to an England never known, is: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. Better than the film and well worth a read. 

In at number 4, with its sense of isolation and quirky French spookiness is: The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse. Left me feeling cold and alone, but warmed through. Go figure! (Blog post 17/02/15)

In at number 3 is another book by Kate Mosse, the second in the Languedoc series, Sepulchre. Just as good as the first, if not better. Can't wait to read the third book in the series. 

In at number 2 is: An Officer and a Spy, by Robert Harris. So, so good, you just need to read it, but not quite my favourite book this year. (Blog post 13/10/15)

My favourite book of the year, the one that works on so many different levels, that keeps popping back into my subconscious; the one whose characters are yet to fade, is: The Casual Vacancy by J K Rowling. All that a book should be, intrigue, passion, subterfuge, and a great cast. Enjoy, and see you all next year.