This was the first thing she wrote after Harry Potter. And it was first published under a pseudonym, til she was “outed”. That being said, I didn’t like it either.
The Cormoran Strike series was written under her pseudonym (and still is, even though everyone knows who it is), Casual Vacancy was written under JK Rowling from the beginning.
It was a little hard to get into it initially, but it was worth it. The characters had hard stories, very different from her other books. I do like the Cormoran Strike books a lot.
I think people read it thinking it would be a book like Harry Potter. It’s a 180 degree change from potter. Much more about the characters and how they live…
Was meh… I actually never read Harry Potter so this is the only thing of hers I ever read, and if this was her first book I don’t think Harry Potter would have happened for her afterwards.
I liked it a lot! It’s an interesting view into the characters personal lives vs what others tend to see. It was also made into an HBO miniseries a few years back. Loved that too!
It’s actually one of my favorite books. One of the few books that tackle the child welfare issues or drug abuse with such accuracy. I listened on audio so not sure if that made a difference but I found it very powerful. The hbo miniseries they made of it was god awful though, ruined all the best parts of the story.
I really really liked it. All of the characters are intertwined, which takes a little bit to sort out. None of the characters are heroes, they all have flaws, which is actually refreshing. It’s fairly heavy material dealing with child abuse, drug use, and failed marriages.
I LOVED it! It took awhile before I got into it though, because the characters were all so miserable and unlikeable…at first. I found it to be a wonderful lesson in how a person’s experiences shape his or her attitudes and also how we shouldn’t judge others if you haven’t walked a mile in her moccasins. That being said, one of the most unlikeable ( and unfortunate) characters turned out to have the most heart. ❤️ It was a book that really made me self-assess and it stayed with me for a long time. I highly recommend it!
I was not able to finish it. On the contrary her thrillers on the name of Robert Galbraith are amazing! The detective character is very well constructed I loved all of them and how she writes more of these.
It’s a fantastic book ,though it will be little confusing at start but once you get hang of things it’s a good read . Since it handles some dark issues so choose only if you can handle heavy issues
I was not a fan. I kept thinking “it’s going to get better, it’s got to get better…” but eventually I got to the end of the book & felt like it never did improve. Just not the book for me.
I loved it! She has a very clear point about social issues and it’s a bit heavy. I also love her Cormoran Stike mystery series under her other pen name, Robert Galbraith
i read it. i liked it. it wasn’t awesome or enthralling or anything crazy fab … but i liked the characters and thought it was interesting and quite british…
It was very slow paced for me, I would pick it up and read it sporadically. I’d get bored and pick something new up, go back to it, and so on. So it took me 4 or 5 months to read it.
Same!!! I was so excited to try it. Might give it another go later
Meh…
Meh, I stopped reading it but then tried again on audio. Audio was better, but still really hard to stay involved/entertained.
Started but didn’t finish. Plan on trying it again one day.
There were too many things going on in it, and I just got super bored trying to follow along.
This was the first thing she wrote after Harry Potter. And it was first published under a pseudonym, til she was “outed”. That being said, I didn’t like it either.
The Cormoran Strike series was written under her pseudonym (and still is, even though everyone knows who it is), Casual Vacancy was written under JK Rowling from the beginning.
@Leah okay, thanks.
Didn’t finish. Didnt like the story line or the characters
One of only two books I’ve ever given up on (the other being Twilight).
I found it boring.
I really liked it.
It was a little hard to get into it initially, but it was worth it. The characters had hard stories, very different from her other books. I do like the Cormoran Strike books a lot.
I’m Team Meh. Read it for a book club but didn’t really enjoy it. Didn’t care for the characters. Storyline just seemed really bleak.
I think people read it thinking it would be a book like
Harry Potter. It’s a 180 degree change from potter. Much more about the characters and how they live…
I found it at a thrift shop. I plan to give it a shot.
It was meh. Her detective novels are much better.
Was meh… I actually never read Harry Potter so this is the only thing of hers I ever read, and if this was her first book I don’t think Harry Potter would have happened for her afterwards.
I liked it! I thought the characters were very well written.
I liked it a lot! It’s an interesting view into the characters personal lives vs what others tend to see. It was also made into an HBO miniseries a few years back. Loved that too!
I did. Nothing like HP, another genre altogether. The small British town drama. I like those. This was a fair to middlin attempt.
I didn’t much like it… I do, however like her Robert Galbraith books
It was ok.
Mediocre.
Wasn’t a fan. We read it a few years ago for book club and it was a unanimous MEH.
I couldn’t finish it. I thought about trying again
I didn’t care for it at all. Was rather disappointed.
I found it boring. I didn’t care for the characters and it was a slow read. I quit halfway through.
It’s actually one of my favorite books. One of the few books that tackle the child welfare issues or drug abuse with such accuracy. I listened on audio so not sure if that made a difference but I found it very powerful.
The hbo miniseries they made of it was god awful though, ruined all the best parts of the story.
Haven’t read it but loved her Robert Galbraith novels.
I listened to it. It was difficult to listen to because of the subject matter. You really feel for the characters.
I didn’t finish it. Could not get into it. I was very disappointed.
Loved it.
Very odd book with no sympathetic characters.
Read it upto page 5..,thought I’d get back to it…but from what am seeing, the reviews aren’t promising
Meh .. that’s all I can say
Hang in there — it gets better.
I just bought it for 75 cents for the hardcover at the library. Then I heard it was terrible. So I may be out 75 cents ??
I really really liked it. All of the characters are intertwined, which takes a little bit to sort out. None of the characters are heroes, they all have flaws, which is actually refreshing. It’s fairly heavy material dealing with child abuse, drug use, and failed marriages.
I really liked it but I do like quirky English village settings with odd ball characters
I really liked it.
it’s very depressing. most of the characters are horrible, nothing nice happens to anyone, and everything ends miserably.
Haha, think that’s why I liked it. Totally into depressing books!
I liked the development… But nothing seemed to happen that justified the built-up.
I listened to it and really enjoyed it. I agree with everyone else that her Robert Galbraith novels are better.
I surprised myself and really enjoyed it.
Loved it
Didn’t like it at all. In fact, in spite of my husband and I being inveterate book hoarders, it’s in the pile to be donated.
I LOVED it! It took awhile before I got into it though, because the characters were all so miserable and unlikeable…at first. I found it to be a wonderful lesson in how a person’s experiences shape his or her attitudes and also how we shouldn’t judge others if you haven’t walked a mile in her moccasins. That being said, one of the most unlikeable ( and unfortunate) characters turned out to have the most heart. ❤️ It was a book that really made me self-assess and it stayed with me for a long time. I highly recommend it!
I thought it was just awful!
I was not able to finish it. On the contrary her thrillers on the name of Robert Galbraith are amazing! The detective character is very well constructed I loved all of them and how she writes more of these.
Agreed!
I love this series
I quit after 100 pages
i read it, but it was a struggle. Well-written in a lot of aspects, just don’t expect exciting
It’s a fantastic book ,though it will be little confusing at start but once you get hang of things it’s a good read . Since it handles some dark issues so choose only if you can handle heavy issues
I could not finish it and I was listening to it. I can listen to almost anything!
Tried to – very boring reading.
It was just awful
??????
I actually read it awhile ago and can’t remember a thing about it. Maybe that is a review in itself.
LOVED IT!
I tried to start it – well, this sentence says it all, doesn’t it?
I enjoyed it! Once I got the pace, good to go.
I read two of the Cormoran Strike novels. I am on the last one but I am reading too many books at once
I was not a fan. I kept thinking “it’s going to get better, it’s got to get better…” but eventually I got to the end of the book & felt like it never did improve. Just not the book for me.
I enjoyed it but agree it’s not great. It’s definitely my least favorite book of hers/Galbraith.
It’s amazing
I loved it! She has a very clear point about social issues and it’s a bit heavy. I also love her Cormoran Stike mystery series under her other pen name, Robert Galbraith
Great book. Very different from anything else she’s done.
Enjoyed it
Started but didn’t finish. I couldn’t get into it
Eck
Noope 🙁
i read it. i liked it. it wasn’t awesome or enthralling or anything crazy fab … but i liked the characters and thought it was interesting and quite british…
i watched the tv adaption…it was utter crap!
Agree with that.
????
Didn’t care for it at all. 🙁
did not enjoy
It was very slow paced for me, I would pick it up and read it sporadically. I’d get bored and pick something new up, go back to it, and so on. So it took me 4 or 5 months to read it.
I loved it! I did not like the series.
One of the few books I never finished.
Not her best work. The books she wrote as Robert Galbraith are pretty good though.
Read about 50 pages and I gave up. I just couldn’t get into it
Ì did not like it. The people are boring and the story drags on and on. Sorry JK
It went on a bit too long but I enjoyed it otherwise.
I think it is a fabulous book whose subtlety and message are under appreciated. Even the HBO show didn’t get it right.
Enjoyed it.
I liked it. (I was reluctant to try it, because I don’t like Harry Potter.)