Let’s all rush to judge J.K. Rowling’s new book now that it has a title, release date, and synopsis
Just over a month ago, when J.K. Rowling announced she had completed her first adult novel, details were scarce except for word it would be “very different” from her Harry Potter books. Today, her new publisher, Little, Brown, and Co. posted a title, release date, and brief synopsis that probably won’t inspire too many midnight release parties at bookstores around the world.
Rowling’s first post-Potter novel will be called The Casual Vacancy, and it hits shelves on Thursday, September 27—a school night, as if we needed any other markers that this book isn't aimed at kids. The synopsis contains just enough to show how much her focus has changed this time around. Provincial politics, class wars, and generation gaps have replaced Quidditch, the seven spell types, and wand lore. After seven books spent creating a sprawling, magical world with an incredibly intricate backstory, Rowling can probably afford to take a laid-back victory lap. But we won’t stop you from prejudging the whole thing with only these scraps to go on.
Full synopsis, from Little, Brown’s site: