I've decided that JK Rowling is a phenomenal story teller. After reading Harry Potter and now The Casual Vacancy, it's clear to see that she is incredible at character development, and she can create such a vivid world for her characters to live in. She's a top notch writer. 
 I happen to really appreciate character development - probably because it's one of my weaker qualities when I write. The characters in this book are so well done. They're believable; they're real. They perfectly describe the people who make up small town life. They're flawed and imperfect, and that's what makes all of them so interesting. There's no one single protagonist or main character. It's an assortment of main characters who show you a different side of the small English town of Pagford. And how they're all intertwined is what makes this story come to life for me. 
 The plot isn't necessarily exciting or incredibly interesting. For me, this doesn't bother me. The boringness of the plot is just another factor in making this town believable. Small town life isn't exciting or grandiose by any means. Rowling really shows that truth in this book. The lives of the characters are what take my attention and my interest. This approach, however, might not be for everyone, which is why I think The Casual Vacancy has gotten so many mixed reviews. 
 I really loved this book. I got so sucked into Pagford and the people who lived there. It's relatable. And I like that. JK Rowling, like I said, is simply superb.