Reasons Why It's So Freaking Hard to Finish "The Casual Vacancy"
It's a new record, everyone! For me to not finish a book even after 2 months, is surprising - even for myself.
Yes, the book I've left when I haven't even read half-way is none other than "The Casual Vacancy" by J.K. Rowling.
I read the book with an expectation that I would have a thrilling, thoroughly enjoyable journey with all the political senses the author put. But I was having a headache, instead. In the first few chapters, as usual J.K Rowling introduced a set of families with all their distinct features, personalities, and background stories. I'm not good remembering names, not mentioning a whole family. But that's exactly what Rowling did with her first book after the phenomenal Harry Potter. I couldn't bring my self to read more because I was so confused and lost in the sea of people that the author created, all of whom are connected and intertwined with every other player in the city. Each character is crafted, and explained carefully and in magnificent details (this, I know, is exceptional, as expected from JK Rowling), along with their relations to the first man who died and creating the whole problem in the book, Barry Fairbrother.
But in my experience while reading Harry Potter, which also I've never managed to finish even just 1 out of all 7, getting to know every character in a book continuously, without having any ideas which one is the uttermost main character, is like running around in circle with no exit. It's exhausting. Which is also why, I always close the book after reading 2 chapters or so. What's more, I see no future, until now, where the story will start picking up, getting exciting and leave my heart pounding or filled with rage, tears, joy, happiness, what so ever. Bloody hell. Excuse my harsh words, the book for me is as powerful as sleeping pills. Good for you insomniacs out there. Why does J.K. Rowling have to make her books boring at the beginning? I'm a reader with a belief that if a book hooks you in the first chapter, it will keep you hooked till you read the very last page. Casual Vacancy is anything but supporting my belief. On every page I read, I never stopped thinking, thinking real hard, who this one was, whose person talked about who, and what their initial stories were that made them like they were. Insomniac comes together with amnesia. A killing combination.
Despite all of those silly reasons I stated above, I still have faith in the book, and will still try with all my might to finish reading it, to memorize all the characters, to drown in the vivid story, and then write a review about it after. I really need a supporting arm. And a pair of wide-opened eyes.
Until then, wish me the very luck.
