As the cover artwork and synopsis is revealed for J.K. Rowling's first post-Potter novel, Kirsty Capes looks forward to The Casual Vacancy...
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Having suggested that the final instalment of the Harry Potter series would be the end of her writing career, J K Rowling shocked fans earlier this year when she revealed that she would be releasing a new novel for adults (not an adult novel, don't get too excited), entitled The Casual Vacancy.
With Potter being one of the most bought, read and talked-about book series of the last twenty years, it's no surprise that the hype surrounding The Casual Vacancy has been astronomical. Many die-hard Potter fans, myself included, cannot wait for the release of Rowling's new book.
Having said that, the HP community do have several entitled reservations concerning Vacancy. Of course, this is Rowling's first novel outside the realms of the world of Hogwarts, and more broadly, children's literature. With every new Harry Potter book, an evolution of writing style and proficiency was witnessed. Let's face it, The Philosopher's Stone had a rather basic style, to say the least. One can't help but wonder how Rowling's style will translate into the new novel, especially as these are her first steps into the world of, shall we say, big boys' books. Alongside this we have a seemingly basic and stale plotline of a small-town election-cum-murder mystery:
Cast your memory back to the revealing of the Goblet of Fire artwork. That Hungarian Horntail became an image etched into the mind of many children the world over. In fact, with each of the Potter covers, speculation was rife about what each image could mean for the plot of the story, the trials and tribulations Harry might face in this instalment.
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How refreshing to see with a book directed at a more mature audience, Rowling has opted for a minimalist, simplistic cover, revealing little more than what we already know about the story and plot. My art critic's eye is drawn particularly to the colours - scarlet red and yellow. Red indicates death and pain, or on the other hand, love and passion. Yellow is associated with luxury and wealth - possibly greed? It certainly fits with the genres. The fonts are again minimalist and a stark change from the oh-so familiar template of the Potter books. And of course, the black cross illustration refers to the premise of the plot - the election.
The cover for this new book reveals little of Rowling's intentions with The Casual Vacancy. What I, amongst many other die-hard fans, am hoping for is that Vacancy is simply the first chapter in Rowling's life after Harry. The Potter books were the cusp of my childhood, and will always play a major part in my life. But, unfortunately, like cheesecake, Desperate Housewives and summer holidays, all good things must come to an end. Potter did it in the most honourable way, and Rowling's service to literature will be remembered and cherished for many lifetimes. What the world holds its breath for now, is whether The Casual Vacancy will do what Potter did. The answer is likely no, but I have every faith that it will come pretty damned close. Long live J K, and long live Harry Potter.
The Casual Vacancy is scheduled for release on September 27th, 2012.
Kirsty Capes![]()
Having suggested that the final instalment of the Harry Potter series would be the end of her writing career, J K Rowling shocked fans earlier this year when she revealed that she would be releasing a new novel for adults (not an adult novel, don't get too excited), entitled The Casual Vacancy. With Potter being one of the most bought, read and talked-about book series of the last twenty years, it's no surprise that the hype surrounding The Casual Vacancy has been astronomical. Many die-hard Potter fans, myself included, cannot wait for the release of Rowling's new book.
Having said that, the HP community do have several entitled reservations concerning Vacancy. Of course, this is Rowling's first novel outside the realms of the world of Hogwarts, and more broadly, children's literature. With every new Harry Potter book, an evolution of writing style and proficiency was witnessed. Let's face it, The Philosopher's Stone had a rather basic style, to say the least. One can't help but wonder how Rowling's style will translate into the new novel, especially as these are her first steps into the world of, shall we say, big boys' books. Alongside this we have a seemingly basic and stale plotline of a small-town election-cum-murder mystery:
When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early forties, the town of Pagford is left in shock.The revealing of the cover for The Casual Vacancy this week has put some of my frivolous reservations to bed. My shallow aesthetically-pleased brain sadly often does judge a book by its cover. And this cover, may I say, is mighty fine.
Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.
Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils … Pagford is not what it first seems.
And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity, and unexpected revelations?
Cast your memory back to the revealing of the Goblet of Fire artwork. That Hungarian Horntail became an image etched into the mind of many children the world over. In fact, with each of the Potter covers, speculation was rife about what each image could mean for the plot of the story, the trials and tribulations Harry might face in this instalment.
How refreshing to see with a book directed at a more mature audience, Rowling has opted for a minimalist, simplistic cover, revealing little more than what we already know about the story and plot. My art critic's eye is drawn particularly to the colours - scarlet red and yellow. Red indicates death and pain, or on the other hand, love and passion. Yellow is associated with luxury and wealth - possibly greed? It certainly fits with the genres. The fonts are again minimalist and a stark change from the oh-so familiar template of the Potter books. And of course, the black cross illustration refers to the premise of the plot - the election.The cover for this new book reveals little of Rowling's intentions with The Casual Vacancy. What I, amongst many other die-hard fans, am hoping for is that Vacancy is simply the first chapter in Rowling's life after Harry. The Potter books were the cusp of my childhood, and will always play a major part in my life. But, unfortunately, like cheesecake, Desperate Housewives and summer holidays, all good things must come to an end. Potter did it in the most honourable way, and Rowling's service to literature will be remembered and cherished for many lifetimes. What the world holds its breath for now, is whether The Casual Vacancy will do what Potter did. The answer is likely no, but I have every faith that it will come pretty damned close. Long live J K, and long live Harry Potter.
The Casual Vacancy is scheduled for release on September 27th, 2012.
Kirsty Capes
