So. Rowling's The Casual Vacancy. Yep, I bought it and have read some of it. About 200+ pages, in fact. And yet, still can't place how I feel about it.
This is a spoiler-free zone.
Hopefully you know the synopsis, if not, here's a taste in very un-literary like terms: angel-like man of a quaint, postcard-like town dies unexpectedly, town is then thrown into a frenzy, because, first, guy also just happens to hold an authoritative seat in the town council, and second, because people also miss him.
Gavin was already a little repelled by the sight of his dead friend's texts on his phone, and one of the girls from the rowing eight, still crying as she walked back from assembly, found a form Barry had signed in her schoolbag, and became almost hysterical.Rowling spends a lot of time telling us how people react when someone dies unexpectedly, and most often they're thoughts no one would utter aloud because they'd be terrible, horrible people (tone of novel/ not necessarily my opinion). There is much inner dialogue from the entire cast of characters. And while some of it is very touching and sympathy-inducing, the majority of these thoughts are about how life really stinks and how unhappy they are with the path they've chosen. And the prevalence of this morbid/depressing thought process is likely prompted by the fact that a seemingly healthy and happy man has suddenly just dropped dead. It's clear that no one can really wrap their heads around it.
The writing is as good as I expected, but the storyline, itself, just seems slightly run-of-the-mill. The characters are often over-dramatic and their thoughts, typical, in the sense of what makes for good entertainment today. While I'm not terribly impressed at the moment, I'd be a fool to make a judgement before I've gotten farther along in the novel. Because, really, so much can happen in 300 pages.
I'm almost thinking that the final post will be overwhelming, and can't possibly begin to imagine what I'll focus on when I do sit down to write it, as the novel has so much to offer for discussion. Can't wait to see what other read along participants are saying!
See Brenna's post to visit other blogs participating in this challenge.
Hmm, interesting. I've been hearing a lot of positive stuff so it interesting that you call it run of the mill. Maybe one day I'll have time to read it and figure it out for myself. :]
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeletePerhaps this will be the review that shows I shouldn't be reviewing books. Obviously, I don't have an english degree so can't quite speak for the mechanics of the story. As a reader, however, I don't, at this time, feel like the novel offers anything stellar. She might be getting points for talking about sex and drugs and the like, but I don't really care about all that, so to me it's just another novel about people dealing with a certain situation and going about "real" life. Not completely engaging, for me, at this time, but I'd be interested to hear what you think when you do! I don't want to be a downer, but I do want to be honest.
It seems like you and I had similar reactions to the fist part of the novel; great writing but lacking in terms of plot. And you're right, a lot can happen in 300 pages so it would be too soon to judge. I am looking forward to final posts! I have a feeling they may be much different from our initial thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I enjoyed your "un-literary" synopsis :)
The pacing at this point is killing me and the references to mundane facts seem to work themselves in far too often. I'm really hoping it turns into a page-turner, or just something I can say I really enjoyed. But it won't be the worst thing in the world if it isn't.
DeleteHi Beth - I've put a few brief first impressions on my blog today (It's National Poetry Day today in the UK - which is unfortunate because it really makes me think that the one thing Rowling lacks in her writing is a sense of poetry) if you want to have a look. (http://read-sew-crochet.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/national-poetry-day.html) I'm enjoying the book in some respects but not in others. I'm nearly finished though and can't quite put my finger on what's not right about it at the moment - need a few days to mull it over. Judy.
ReplyDeleteJudith, Some passages are quite lyrical but I've often found myself having to reread certain passages because the flow is just a little off. It could be the fact that I'm sick though as well. It's certainly not shaping up to be one of my most loved books of all time, but it isn't flat out bad. I'll head over to your blog to check it out.
DeleteI'm also hoping the pace will pick up a bit as the novel progresses... With so many characters, Rowling had to establish them all before really diving in. At least, this is what I choose to believe :)
ReplyDeleteI really like that Casual Vacancy is so different from Harry Potter in terms of the story's scope; with HP everything was life-or-death, universe-hanging-in-the balance, and Casual Vacancy is focused on normal people's problems in their own small world. I imagine that Rowling needed a break from the wider lens and just wanted to focus on something more manageable. I think that the real test of the book will be how she brings all these characters together or into conflict with each other by the end.
Thanks for hosting this readalong! I'm really enjoying it so far!
Rayna,
DeleteYeah, she definitely had to dedicate a substantial part of the book to building the set up and introducing the large cast of characters. The pace is really killing me right now and I'm having a hard time picking it up. However, I'm still holding out hope though.
I agree that she's focusing on the mundane, but it seems like many of the characters believe Barry's seat is universe-hanging-in-the-balance like! Ha. I agree. I am interested to see how the conflict is resolved by this crazy cast.
I completely agree that there is a lot of time spent introducing the overwhelming number of characters, and their inner thoughts were in full force! It didn't strike me as overly dramatic, but the funeral scene could have been a bit much with how a few characters were acting, but for some reason, I was okay with it. I ended up finishing this novel pretty quickly and I did end up really loving it. It's not a perfect novel, of course, but I think it was pretty fascinating in exposing the hypocrisy of people; it does make one wonder how someone really feels even though they seem to be acting kind or interested! I'm so glad you both hosted this readalong so I could read it before all the reviews started rolling in, so thank you!!
ReplyDeleteNatalie,
DeleteFor a minute I joked that it was like reading Tolstoy with a cast of its size. Obviously, an exaggeration, but worth noting! It really helps build the whole community and was nicely done so I don't have issues there. I guess I'm naive, but don't feel like this represents real people, or people I know, anyway. Sure, I'm aware that people gossip and that there's hypocrisy abound, especially considering that election day is right around the corner, but I felt these characters are blown up big. I've seen the dialogue before, and the character elements, in so many other books I've read. I think I just expected something very different from Rowling. Not Harry Potter, mind you, because I'm certainly not a fan girl, but something distinctive. I haven't finished, so I'm not going to pass judgement just yet, but I haven't been eager to pick it up thus far. Here's to hoping the end offers a little more!
I have been avoiding this book until I start to see some reviews! I do want to read it, but only if I know I will enjoy it, because I'm such a big fan of Harry Potter (I know that doesn't make logical sense!). Maybe that the story is run-of-the-mill will turn into a strength by the end of the novel, because it might allow Rowling to say a lot about every day life and existence?
ReplyDeleteSam, I think she's definitely using the mundane to approach another subject but right now it's hard to get into. I don't necessarily dislike the mundane in literature, it's perhaps her approach. It's negative and focusing on the darker aspects of being a human in society but a little exaggerated. It's very different from Harry Potter and I haven't really been thinking of her as the author of both titles. I'd love to hear what you think when you get to it!
DeleteWell, I am only about 80 pages in and want to put a dent in it this week. I have been trying not to read any spoilers. Perhaps I should get off the computer and over to my cozy chair. I will come back with my comments soon.
ReplyDeleteI think it really picks up over half way through. I managed to read around 150 pages last night and was really fighting it before. The action picks up and the story really comes together. I'm hoping to polish off the last 130 pages tonight so I can spend Wednesday evening writing a coherent review. There's just so much going on so I know it's going to be a real challenge. Can't wait to see what you think!
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