Disagreeable
people often make the most interesting characters in a book. J.K. Rowling’s The
Casual Vacancy has so many disagreeable characters she has created a real
page-turner, despite a mundane sounding plot concerning an election for a
village council. Only Barry Fairbrother, who suddenly dies at the very
beginning of the book, seemed to be decent and sincere. The others either
seethe with anger and resentment or smugly bask in unwarranted self-esteem. Mr.
Fairbrother’s sudden death creates a vacancy on the Pagford Village Council. He
had grown up poor and worked his way into the middle class without forgetting
his roots. As a member of the council,
he was the strongest supporter of the public housing complex called The Fields
where the poorest Pagford citizens live. After his death, several people
announce their intention to run for the vacant seat but none have his
leadership abilities or empathy for the residents of The Fields. Gossip, lies
and dirty tricks undermine the campaigns and reputations of several candidates
as well as some of the current council members. Hostility to the public housing
residents is the single issue driving the election. Many of the residents of
The Fields, particularly the Wheedon family, have so many problems they cannot make
an effort to even appear to be the “deserving poor.” But in Pagford, all the
citizens have faults and weaknesses. Moral superiority and decency does not
necessarily come with education, money or class.
Check out The Casual Vacancy @ the library! (Perhaps while waiting for your hold on The Cuckoo's Calling!)
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