In the seemingly tranquil town of Pagford, the sudden death of a beloved council member unleashes a fierce battle for control over the community. As secrets and scandals are dredged up, the narrow boundaries between love and hate blur, revealing the complexities of modern life. Ambitious teens, disillusioned adults, and a host of colorful characters collide in a gripping tale of politics and social stratification. Rowling explores the dark underbelly of a seemingly perfect society, exposing hypocrisy and moral dilemmas. What will emerge from the chaos, and who will pay the ultimate price for power?
By J. K. Rowling
Published: 2013
""The world was a patchwork of people, each with their own secrets and burdens, and in the end, we were all just trying to make sense of the chaos around us.""
A big novel about a small town... When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early forties, 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 façade 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.
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“"The world was a patchwork of people, each with their own secrets and burdens, and in the end, we were all just trying to make sense of the chaos around us."”
The Casual Vacancy
By J. K. Rowling
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
J.K. Rowling is a British author best known for her globally acclaimed Harry Potter series, which has captivated readers of all ages and has been translated into over 80 languages. The series includes seven books, starting with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997), which introduced readers to the magical world of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Rowling's writing is characterized by her imaginative storytelling, detailed world-building, and rich character development, often blending fantasy with themes of friendship, bravery, and the battle between good and evil. Besides the Harry Potter series, she has also written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, penning the Cormoran Strike detective novels. Rowling's work has received numerous awards and accolades, making her one of the most celebrated authors of contemporary literature.
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