One Sentence Summary
When a casual vacancy appears on the Parish Council in the small village of Pagford, it sets off a class war between its inhabitants.
Book Genre
The Casual Vacancy is a contemporary fiction novel.
Main Topic of the Book
The main topic of The Casual Vacancy is the clash between the classes and the consequences for a small community after death of its most influential figure.
Key Ideas
The key ideas in The Casual Vacancy include:
- The class divide
- The corrupting influence of power
- The destruction caused by secrets
- The impact of choices on society
- The power of community
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
The Casual Vacancy is divided into three parts.
Part One: Casual Vacancy
The first part introduces the characters and sets up the story of how the death of Barry Fairbrother, the leader of the Parish Council of the small village of Pagford, creates a “casual vacancy” – in this case, the vacancy of a leader.
Part Two: Burned Out
The second part focuses on the struggle between the classes as the power vacuum created by the Fairbrother’s death is filled. Various characters become embroiled in a heated social and political battle and secrets begin to be revealed.
Part Three: Weeds Grow
The third part explores the consequences of the power struggle between the classes. The characters’ choices have major implications for the whole community and reveal the true nature of the divide.
Key Takeaways
The key takeaways from The Casual Vacancy are:
- Class divisions and the power of money can have a huge impact on a small community.
- Secrets, no matter how well-kept, can come back to haunt us.
- The choices we make can have significant consequences we may not expect.
- The power of community can bring about positive change even in the most divided circumstances.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
J.K. Rowling is an acclaimed British author most well-known for her beloved Harry Potter series and the spin-off series Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. She has sold over 500 million copies of her books and won numerous awards.
Target Audience
The Casual Vacancy is aimed mainly at adults, particularly those interested in contemporary fiction.
Publisher and First Publication Date
The Casual Vacancy was published by Little Brown & Company in 2012.