A Casual Vacancy

Largely agree Rosequartz, but I thought that Crystal's behaviour was really because Barry had died and with it her hope of an apprenticeship and a 'normal' future. The distant shot of her gazing disinterestedly out of the window while the boy treated her as a piece of meat seemed to suggest that. Ages since I read the book, but I think that was the idea there? Others may disagree.

I did enjoy the 2nd episode more than the first, and but thank goodness there is only one more.

I enjoyed the 'dinner party from hell' and the mother shouting at her two teenage daughters who had accused her of being 'mean'. "I'm the mother from hell and I'm going to ruin your lives, because I love it.'' Wish I had thought of that line when mine were teenagers!
One review described that as 'chilling' - obviously written by someone who has never dealt with truculent teenagers.
(When I was accused of being 'mean' I used to say 'Mean? Mean? You don't know the meaning of mean. If you want mean I can show you mean!)

Crystal is well-played but I wish she hadn't succumbed. I thought it would have been better if she had shown a bit more contempt at the suggestion.

I am quite enjoying this, a little difficult to follow at first, but when once I had the feel of what was happening, I thought it was very cleverly done.

The book is excellent, it does help to sort out the characters and their intentions if you have read it first.

I enjoyed the 2nd episode. The young woman who plays Crystal is brilliant and I was delighted when she shopped the drug dealer who was storing stolen stuff at their home. The way in which she looks after her little brother and tries to sort her mum out, whilst playing the hard girl outside of her home is an accurate portrayal of too many girls like her I met when working.

So many interesting characters and such a good cast. Great tv

Any librarians on here?

Glad people thought 2nd episode was better. It's not for me so won't be wasting any more time on it

I quite enoyed this week's episode too. Getting more of a feel for the characters now.

This weeks episode was better.

I am quite enjoying it.

I think the actress playing the role of the school girl is my favourite character and also she is the best actor/actress (depends on your feminist credentials)

I haven't read the book so I can't comment on it's take on it. I think given there are so many individual stories of the characters it should be quite complicated to follow but it has been the case the flow of the story has made it very easy to follow. (not sure I have been there

Looking forward to part 3.

I loved the second episode of this, I had forgotten the deteriorating dinner party and 'Barry's Ghost' and how funny it was, yet sad.

I've just finished the 2nd Robert Galbraith book but haven't read the first one. I found it gruesome as well and also far too long, repetitive and I was relieved to finish it. It's one of a small number of thriller type books that I almost gave up on.

It was very good in its gruesomeness, though.

I read the second Robert Galbraith book and found it gruesome to the point of feeling uncomfortable (lead a very sheltered life)

Watched first episode. Not particularly impressed and suspect reading the book may be more satisfying. Realise episode 1 was introducing the characters but there were none I felt drawn to/could relate to, so at this point probably won't bother to watch the rest as they mostly came across as a superficial bunch. But maybe that was Rowling's intention. Have found her Cormoran Strike novels, writing as Robert Galbraith, excellent. Maybe I'll just read the book of The Casual Vacancy rather than set aside the next goodness knows how many hours to watch the rest of the thing.

I like the ending to that tale janerowena it makes a change from councils selling off land to property developers...

Have they given it an alternative ending? WHY??? I really liked the book, the episode was pretty close which makes a nice change. So often when a book is made into a tv series or film, it's more a 'touch of' than the actual thing.

I lived in a small rural village in Kent where the council decided to get rid of the local council houses in the centre of the village. 'Hooray!' thought all the people living nearby. There was much grumbling of course from the tenants, and actually they were much missed by most of us, they were nice people and were the original villagers who had been there for generations. They were shuffled off to the next bigger village, where they were put in council flats.

Then their old houses were demolished and the ground cleared and left bare for at least a year. Suddenly one day, diggers arrived, work began and some really very nice big smart semis were built. People were eyeing them up for their children and wondering how much they would cost - but there were no For Sale signs. Gradually all the old tenants were moved back in. Their houses were nicer than some of those around them.

I've read the book and enjoyed it, lots of interesting characters and a well plotted storyline. The TV adaptation looks promising, I enjoyed the first episode which could be confusing if you are not familiar with the book, but good actors, portraying the diverse lives of the characters kept my attention. I recommend it for the funny, sad and sometimes shocking events that occur Not sure what the alternative ending will be and whether it will work or not?

JKRowling does tell a good story. Haven't watched it yet, but the reviews are a bit iffy.

I'm glad I read the book first and knew more about the characters but I enjoyed the tv adaptation of Casual Vacancy.
Indian Summers recorded and yet to be watched.

I enjoyed it, watched i and recorded Indian Summer to watch ( and skip through commercial breaks). Some of the characters were a little two dimensional, but maybe people are like that in real life anyway. I enjoyed it and will continue to watch it as it has many excellent actors.

I enjoyed the Casual Vacancy. I read the book and enjoyed it because it is does amplify stereotypes very cleverly and shows that "nice" people are not always those who have "nice" lives. It swings from Comedy to Tragedy and, in spite of the many characters, is not too difficult to follow.
I am looking forward to see how they have changed the ending though!

I read the book and enjoyed it, dramas aren't always able to convey characters' thoughts very well which often drives the story along and is a vital part of any narrative, I felt it didn't flow as well as the book for me, it came across a bit disjointed. I will stick with it though

Think of all the book reviews put out in the press. No one gives away the ending.

Surely you can say what you think of it so far without giving away too much.