Can I start a thread for this book, even before it has come out? Well I have.
I've just preordered the first non-Harry Potter book from JK Rowling, and it is going to be released on Thursday, and I think it is being released at 5pm EST (though I haven't found this really anywhere too much). And at 8PM on ABC (good on the ABC!) there is an interview with JK Rowling!!!! Unfortunately it isn't live across Australia, so we will have to wait until 8pm (3 hours after the book launch) to see the interview with the host of 'The First Tuesday Bookclub', who I think is Jennifer Burne (or something close to that).
The sad thing is, when I ordered it, from QBD (the closest bookshop too me, since Angus and Robertson closed down :() the sales assistant didn't know whether they would get the 100 books on the day (yes only 100 books, I thought they would have like a million, but there doesn't seem to be that much hype and fanfare, like HP) and she didn't know when I could collect it. Which makes me sad, because I thought it was getting released worldwide at a set time, but there seems to be very little indication of that.
So, who's looking forward to some more JK Rowling? I know I am.
I'm looking forward to it, especially since it's aimed at adults. I started reading Harry Potter when I was around 11 or 12, and I'm 21 now, so I am excited about reading something that is written for older readers. I'm interested in seeing if JKR's writing style changes or whether or not it stays the same.
I think the concept of war is exciting, and it seems as though JKR feels comfortable writing about, eg. the war in Hogwarts.
I wont pre-order the book, since I only pre-order Anne Rice books, but I am certainly eagerly awaiting it's arrival =D My sister is obsessed with Harry Potter (and is getting the Deathly Hallows sign tattooed) so I know she will be pre-ordering it!
I'm sure I will read it at some point, but I feel no urgency. J K Rowling has one really big strength - her world building. In Harry Potter, her characters, basic plot and writing style were not really anything out of the ordinary, but world was inspiring and exciting. It's what made for such good fan fiction. I don't think a small town murder mystery can have the same scope. I will give it a go, though. She may surprise us all.
That's the one thing that I was worried about, LOL. I think the book seems a little restrictive of her imagination, but perhaps it is just a stepping stone to another big series? I doubt she would write another epic masterpiece straight after finishing the Harry Potter series.
Well I went out and got my copy today, and I was the only person there at QBD to buy it at exactly the release time. And I'm only a small way in, but it is so different to Harry Potter. And it is most certainly an adult novel, no question about it. Yes teens can and should read it, but definitely not children, or even young teens. Did anyone catch her ABC interview, it was very interesting, but I wish we could talk to her for hours!
I finished it - not at all my usual sort of book and had any other authors name been on the cover, I doubt I would have even picked it up to read the blurb.
Wanderer Ward
11 years ago
Wanderer Ward
Mage
I read this on the train the other day (only just back home to post about it now).
I agree that had it not been J.K. Rowling, I quite possibly wouldn't have been so ready to read/buy it.
That said though, I'm really glad I did get it, as I really enjoyed it! Rowling's world-building skills are in full force, and I think this book shows that even in a stand-alone novel, she is capable of creating a mesmerising world that you just want to know more about (so you keep on reading and reading, even when you really should be sleeping!)
However, definitely not a PG-rated book - much harder than the HP books, and definitely for an adult audience.
I've finally finished reading this (took me long enough), and I'm so glad JK wrote this book. I agree that if it weren't her, I doubt I wouldn't have bought this book, but I think that would be because I wouldn't have found it. If I did find it, I hope I would buy it, because it was great.
The thing that makes it great is that it IS different, it isn't the standard book. Even the chaptering is different, and the narration method is pretty unique too. It was played out to be such a political novel, but that doesn't take centre stage. And yes, this is not for children, but it isn't smutty, and the violence, themes, sex, is all well placed and in good taste, it isn't there just so it is there, or to draw a particular crowd in, it's there for a reason, and that reason is to make things real.
So much symmetry with the beginning and end. ROBBIE! KRYSTAL! JK continues to be heartless and brutal!
LOVED IT! Well worth a read!
So it looks very definite now that we're getting a miniseries for this, as filming is starting soon, so we could see it by the end of the year!
Some cast announcements which is unsurprisingly a very British flavour Rory Kinnear as Barry Fairbrother
Michael Gambon as Howard Mollison
Julia McKenzie as Shirley Mollison
Rufus Jones as Miles Mollison
Keeley Hawes as Samantha Mollison
Abigail Lawrie as Krystal Weedon
Keeley Forsyth as Terri Weedon
Simon McBurney as Colin "Cubby" Wall
Monica Dolan as Tess Wall
Richard Glover as Simon Price
Marie Critchley as Ruth Price
Michelle Austin as Kay Bawden[7]
I'm about half way through the book now (It feels like I've been reading it forever!) and I'm finding it really hard to read more than a chapter at a time. I really dislike the writing style and while everything is pretty interesting, the words just don't make me want to stay up late to read the next chapter. I could definitely see it as a mini-series though, but as for the book itself, it's a little...pale? I'm not sure. I guess I'll make up my final decision after I finish the book! I do like the characters and the setting, though, which is good.
The BBC miniseries is supposed to be coming out this Feb, so not long to go now.
I do understand where you are coming from Kaylanr. It's certainly not a thrilling page turner.
We have a date of Sunday the 15th of Feb, now the guessing game of when is it on in Aus begins.
interesting. Have you read the second? I haven't yet.
Did she originally print this book (or want to print it)under a nom de plume? I seem to remember something about that. I think she wanted to see if her writing could stand on its own, without Harry Potter propping up her reputation.
I can't remember if I read it or not.
Are you thinking of the Robert Galbraith crime novels on Coroman Strike?
