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Review Date: 7/22/2013
Don't expect Harry Potter, because it's not.
What The Casual Vacancy IS is a novel full of deeply flawed characters interacting with each other and trying to live up to expectations (of themselves and of society). When town councilman Barry Fairbrother dies unexpectedly, a mad scramble for his vacant seat ensues and brings up years of prejudice and greed. Motivations are laid bare, and it's not pretty.
The most sympathetic character is Krystal Weedon, a poor teenager with a junkie mother and a bleak future. Of everyone, however, she's the one with the most hope.
This book is a modernized Peyton Place - really more about the environment than the people in it.
What The Casual Vacancy IS is a novel full of deeply flawed characters interacting with each other and trying to live up to expectations (of themselves and of society). When town councilman Barry Fairbrother dies unexpectedly, a mad scramble for his vacant seat ensues and brings up years of prejudice and greed. Motivations are laid bare, and it's not pretty.
The most sympathetic character is Krystal Weedon, a poor teenager with a junkie mother and a bleak future. Of everyone, however, she's the one with the most hope.
This book is a modernized Peyton Place - really more about the environment than the people in it.
Review Date: 7/12/2011
The thing I enjoy most about these books is that Carolyn Haines thoroughly conveys the mood of the Delta - the land, the history, and the people. It's such a pleasure to go on a journey with Sarah Booth and her quirky friends (alive and otherwise). Good stuff.
Review Date: 7/12/2011
Dr. Brennan is back at it again, this time digging up skeletons and secrets of Montreal's rough 'n rowdy outlaw motorcycle clubs. Complicating matters is Andrew Ryan's apparent sudden turn to the dark side and a visit from Brennan's bike-loving nephew.
Another solid mystery. However, at this point, Brennan has run out of family members to get in the middle of her investigation, so hopefully the next book will adopt a different formula.
Another solid mystery. However, at this point, Brennan has run out of family members to get in the middle of her investigation, so hopefully the next book will adopt a different formula.
Review Date: 7/12/2011
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting idea, but could have been better developed. Lulu, unfortunately, is generally out-of-the-loop and rather clueless about the international intrigue she's supposed to be a part of. There was a lot of potential to create a truly mind-blowing, shocking revelation about any of the various characters, but it didn't come to pass. A pleasant book, though.
Review Date: 7/12/2011
Reminiscent of Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone - plucky and self-deprecating. Cute.
Review Date: 7/12/2011
I was really impressed by this book, which flips back and forth between 1940s wartime and 1950s postwar Hong Kong, with some characters in common. This book is about people, and how circumstances can change you - and bring out the best and worst of everyone. Lovely to read, and kept me enthralled to the end.
Review Date: 7/12/2011
This was the first Patricia Cornwell book I've read, and I enjoyed it despite not knowing any of the substantial backstory established by the previous 15 books. It took me a while to figure out who was who and so on, but it was compelling and definitely kept my interest. I've heard that the earlier ones are the best, and I look forward to reading them.
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