The Casual Vacancy is not for everyone. If you are someone who believes that the majority of humanity is wholesome and good, I do not recommend you read this book. If you are someone who gets uncomfortable hearing about foul language, teenagers doing things they probably shouldn't be, or abuse then I urge you to forget J.K. Rowling ever wrote this story, and to go find something more pleasant to read. If, however, you find yourself as someone who accepts that humans hurt each other (whether knowingly or not), like books that mainly focus on character development, and/or are not deterred by the more horrific facts of life, you'll probably find some enjoyment in this otherwise heart-breaking novel.

Let me start by saying that I finished this book over a month ago. Every time I have started writing a review since then, I had to stop and think about it a little more. That is just one of the reasons this book is great, it really makes you think. This book is all about its characters, and takes a realistic look at the thoughts and concerns of everyday people living in a small town. Some characters, when first introduced, are likeable others, not so much. Throughout the story some characters will be revealed to be worse than their first impressions and some better. Just like in real life everyone has faults. Only someone who has a deep understanding of humans and their emotions would be able to write this book, and J.K. Rowling proves that she is one of these people.

Although we are introduced to several members of the community of Pagford, all of which play important roles, I feel like the book mainly centers around two characters, Berry Fairbrother and Krystal Weedon. Berry Fairbrother, coach of the girl's rowing team, and a member of the town's council, suddenly dies leaving his chair on the council empty. This could mean bad news for The Fields, an area of town where all the drug users, drug sellers, and just generally "bad" people live. Berry is one of few people who believe that given support and help the people in The Fields could change for the better. The rest of Pagford uses the Weedon's and other families that live in the The Fields as an example of what and who are bad despite the fact that they've all done things no one should be proud of. Krystal, largely impart to her coach, Berry Fairbrother, looked like she was on the right path. But when Berry dies Krystal has no one to turn to, and slowly looses any progress or hope that she had previously gained. What I took away from this book (and it is something I am surprised to have not seen in the reviews I have read) is to not be so self-absorbed and/or judgmental that you are blind to how you could be helping someone in need.