Details of JK Rowling's Post-Potter Novel Revealed
Author J. K. Rowling has come a long way since that fateful train ride to London 22 years ago, when she thought up the Harry Potter series.
Then living on the government dole, Rowling became a rags-to-riches tale herself, as the continued success of the series' books, magazines, movies, and related merchandise has Rowling now estimated, according to Forbes, to be worth over $1 billion. So what does the 11th most wealthy woman in the UK do to pass her time?
Why, write another novel - this time for the older crowd, many who've grown up reading (and loving) Rowling's magical dynasty.
Just less than two months ago, Rowling announced that she would be writing what would be her first novel aimed at an adult audience, and today UK publishing house Little, Brown Book Group revealed details about the somewhat reclusive author's next jaunt into literature.
The Casual Vacancy is a story set in the little English town of Pagford, a seemingly idyllic country town with trouble brewing just under the surface.
When young Parish Council member Barry Fairweather dies unexpectedly, tensions between rich and poor, teens and parents, teachers and students, wives and husbands comes to a boil, launching "the biggest war the town has yet seen".
Little, Brown states The Casual Vacancy is a dark comedy, "thought-provoking and constantly surprising," words evoking much of Rowling's previous youth-leaning fictional works. Rowling's writing skill has grown considerably since writing Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 1997, and I expect she'll be bringing a finely honed skill to her latest offering.
After temporarily setting aside my adult need for more intellectual fare, I thoroughly immersed myself in the Harry Potter series, falling in love with the darkly woven children's tale. I believe I owe it to Rowling to give The Casual Vacancy a read as well. The press release beckons to me, asking me to discover "Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?"
What are your thoughts? Will you be able to cast aside a desire to see more Potter-related works, and read Rowling's new book in a whole new light? Or will J. K. Rowling always be, in your mind, the magic behind Hogwarts?
Image courtesy Little, Brown Publishing
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