JK Rowling's new book: The Casual Vacancy

[potter_gleek]

It sounds interesting. I'm guessing this is the 'Political Fairytale' as it sounds nothings like a crime novel; which instantly makes it more appealing to me. Hopefully it will still have whimsical elements to it though.

[Wab]

Originally Posted by Wab

Odds are late September-early October which is the time most publishers release their main titles for Christmas.

I got the time frame right at least.

Originally Posted by gelowo93

It sounds interesting enough, though I'd probably pass over it if it wasn't by JKR. It struck me that it's being released on a Thursday. It's probably not that unusual but I'm so used to the HP books being released on Saturdays that it seemed a little weird.

Thursday seems to be the big day in publishing (there are probably sound marketting reasons) and in late Sept. to mid Oct. British publishing has what are known as Super Thursdays when the bulk of Christmas titles are released.

In 2010, 500 new books were released in Sept 30 followed by a further 198 two weeks later.

http://www.thebookseller.com/news/tr...sday-2010.html
.

Originally Posted by potter_gleek

It sounds interesting. I'm guessing this is the 'Political Fairytale' as it sounds nothings like a crime novel; which instantly makes it more appealing to me. Hopefully it will still have whimsical elements to it though.

Bookseller lists it as a black comedy. The list price is £20 although there will no doubt be a discounting war.

[yorkiedoodle]

Originally Posted by gelowo93

The title, synopsis, and release date has been announced

http://www.littlebrown.co.uk/TheCasualVacancy

September 27th - I think i'll ask for it as a silver wedding present - our anniversary is the day before release!

[beth83]

Originally Posted by Wab

Bookseller lists it as a black comedy. The list price is £20 although there will no doubt be a discounting war.

Well I just pre-ordered it for £10 (£9.50 by the time my student discount was taken off) so Amazon at least, is heavily discounting it (I didn't look anywhere else to be honest). I had to pre-order the actual book rather than an e-book even though the the report on the BBC interactive said it was going to be made available in e format it wasn't an option on for the Kindle. Hoping that will change soon so I can change my order.

I like the description of a black comedy it seems very appropriate for a novel about a Parish Council. I was contracted to a County Council 10 years ago to help provide and teach Parish Council with PCs and an accounting package and meet some right characters along the way. This teamed up with the image of The Vicar of Dibley. It could be a very good premise.

[xhanax315]

Originally Posted by Hes

Well I guess the name of the first character is easily to remember...

ETA: edited the thread title.

I thought the same thing. I can't wait to see her writing something way off from Potter and how her success will be with this new book.

[Spacecadet]

Am I the only one that was turned off by the description? Sounds a little too political for my tastes. Im disappointed. Not really sure if I want to read it

[Hes]

Originally Posted by Spacecadet

Am I the only one that was turned off by the description? Sounds a little too political for my tastes. Im disappointed. Not really sure if I want to read it

You are not the only one. It reminds me of several Midsomer Murder plots. I won't buy it unless the reviews by friends are amazing.

[AldeberanBlack]

The plot sounds like an episode of "The League Of Gentlemen"

[MissMarauder]

This sounds like something I could read more easily than if it were a crime novel. It sounds like she is going to be dealing with big picture issues again like in HP.

[freelantzer]

I liked the description. It doesnt sound like something I typically read, but it interested me. I'm sure I'll read it, but I'm not sure when. Amazon is discounting the hardcover. They've got it for $21. The ebook is $19.99 though! Of course that price is set by the publisher and is at least $5 higher than most new releases. If I have time and reviews are good, I might still pay that much for it. But if school is too crazy then, I'll wait until vacation and maybe the price will drop a little.

[Schlubalybub]

Originally Posted by AldeberanBlack

The plot sounds like an episode of "The League Of Gentlemen"

Hmm...I disagree...and I've been a fan of the gents since it first came on TV...

It doesn't sound quite as dark as the gents, but I do think it sounds interesting

PS: released three days before my birthday...guess what I'm asking for?

[Pearl_Took]

Originally Posted by Spacecadet

Am I the only one that was turned off by the description? Sounds a little too political for my tastes. Im disappointed. Not really sure if I want to read it

Well, the Wizarding World is full of politics ...

Sounds like JKR needed a break from all that magic.

Originally Posted by Hes

You are not the only one. It reminds me of several Midsomer Murder plots. I won't buy it unless the reviews by friends are amazing.

But Midsomer Murder is fun!

I'm not expecting some amazing classic from JKR. All I want is cracking entertainment, because that's what she is so good at.

There's more than a touch of Jane Gardam about this synopsis, and Jane Gardam is one of my favourite short story writers ... Jane Gardam is perhaps the nearest thing in contemporary British fiction to 'magic realism'.

Barry Fairweather ... Like it.

[Spacecadet]

Originally Posted by Pearl_Took

Well, the Wizarding World is full of politics ...

Sounds like JKR needed a break from all that magic.

Oh I definitely agree that her newest book needed to be something that was vastly different from harry potter but I didnt expect something with what seems like a main focus on politics. Yes politics was an underlying theme in harry potter but it was more about the characters, the magic and how the politics and dark events affected their lives. This newest book seems more about the politics at the forefront. Its hard to say for sure though sometimes synopsis are not good indicators of what the book is actually about. I dont particularly enjoy books where politics is the main focus, I dont mind it if it directly affects the characters but from what I read it seems like its the other way around, how the characters affect the politics.

As for the price i wonder why its so expensive. Is it a particularly large book or are they just charging more because its JK Rowling?

[Wab]

It's about standard list price for a hardback in the UK. Of course, hardly anyone pays list.

[HMN]

Originally Posted by Spacecadet

As for the price i wonder why its so expensive. Is it a particularly large book or are they just charging more because its JK Rowling?

It's definitely on the high end - most likely because they can charge more. They have a product that will sell itself.

For comparison (these are all List Price)
The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides $28.00
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern $26.95
Calico Joe by John Grisham $24.95
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson $27.95

The Casual Vacancy by J. K. Rowling $35.00

[Pokota]

That sounds about right :/

On the one hand, this sounds like something I'd enjoy reading - I love seeing how interactions between parties resolve themselves - but on the other hand, because it's an adult fiction book being written by a well-known author, I'm gonna get hammered at the stores. Especially with Borders/Waldenbooks going belly-up around where I am.

[Wab]

The list price in Australia is $30 which is exactly the same as other new release hardbacks by front list authors.

But the Book Depository is already taking orders at $22.

[BubblyShell22]

So, is Sept. 27th the release date everywhere then? Sounds cool to me.

I admit I'm not much for politics, but I'm the type who always gives new things a chance, so I'll definitely be trying this book on for size. I'm sure Jo will do a good job.

[NeonGenesis]

The only thing I hope is that JK Rowling won't become one of those celebrities who hates being associated with the work that made them popular to begin with once she starts writing more mature fiction. You know how like when a child actor or something gets started with fantasy movies and then they later hate their earlier works and become elitist towards fantasy when they start to branch out more. I just hope she won't abandon her Harry Potter/fantasy fanbase entirely with this new book.

[Wab]

Most artists look back at their early work with mixed feelings. Failure to do so indicates that they haven't developed their skills.