Monday, November 5, 2012

JK Rowling's The Casual Vacancy Disappoints Vatican According To L'Osservatore Romano

The Casual Vacancy

The Casual Vacancy by the famed Harry Potter scribe may have found its greatest roadblock yet. The Holy See has released an official book review of JK Rowling's first novel for adult readers and it's not good, according to Telegraph. Published on Holy See's newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, the said review slams the book with the following lines: "J.K Rowling's first adult novel disappoints".

The author was once admired by the said institution after overcoming problematic times as a single mother and her publishing success with the Harry Potter novels. This may be put to test due to the negative response coming from the Vatican brought about by the release of her latest book. This response is more likely due to some scenes contained in the book which include casual sex, drugs and self-harm.

L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican's official newspaper
I am a somehow torn of this news being a fan of JK Rowling and all of her writings. On the other hand my religious training forces me to follow what the Church deem as more favorable on this matter. I am not rigid, despite having tried it before, but to have one of my most beloved author criticized by one of the foundations of my religious affiliation confuses me a lot.

It's just a pity that a once amicable relationship between the author and the Vatican may be ruined by this development. Even the Telegraph seems to suggest that her previous good deeds may be nullified. The article goes on to say that the Vatican 'also congratulated Rowling for donating a large sum of her earnings to charity in 2011 "thanks to the power and fantasy produced by her pen" but said her latest book was unconvincing and Rowling's perspective "disappoints".

'"Fifty-six years after Peyton Place, an up to date – and British – version of that masterpiece of a social chronicle might make sense," the review says.

'"Rowling probably has all the qualifications to be the worthy successor of Grace Metaloius. But there's something missing."'

Read the full article here.

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