J.K. Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy vs. Harry Potter

Finally finished J.K. Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy and wanted to share my thoughts. I know that I really shouldn’t compare the two works and should just approach The Casual Vacancy on its own terms, but the fact is that I wouldn’t be reading that if not for Harry Potter, and I couldn’t help but make comparisons between the two while reading.

( Beware pretty major spoilers for plot & characterization. )