Empire Falls by Richard Russo Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Empire Falls
Book Review: the empire's new clothes?
Summary: 1 Stars
Pulitzer Prize? Hogspit! This is four hundred eighty pages of sentimental drivel which no one bothered either to edit or proofread. A dozen loathsome cardboard characters. A story utterly contrived. Russo apparently has everybody fooled. Some publisher chose him to introduce the stories of Richard Yates. He should read them again.Book Review: this is a great book
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read three Russo books, and all three of them have left me stunned. This is mainly due to the author's prowess. His strength is in dealing with the intricacies of a complex novel, shifting positions like a prizefighter. If you have taken any literature appreciation class you might have studied Moby Dick. I can't think of a better author to equate Russo's style to than Melville. He shifted from one character to another as well as writing in a shifting manner that is still inspiring today. Russo, from one chapter to the next explores his characters effortlessly in a similar shifting manner that keeps the story constantly fresh. Empire Falls is different than Straight Man or Nobodies Fool, the other two books of his that I have read. With Empire Falls, Russo steps back from his protagonist a little more than in the other two, wrapping the entire town into his tale, including it as if it were a character as well. Also, in comparison to the other two books that I mentioned above, a grand sweeping arc of time is considered in this book, which makes this feel like an epic instead of the intimate nature of the others. What occurs is that the result is nothing other than the author showing his mental muscle. But this is not done in a brash or egotistical manner. He steps into a new cadence, a different sense of humor, and a narration style that is tuned to a perfection not better than, but different than his other works.
From the moment I put down the first of his books that I read a couple of weeks ago, I have been struck by the idea that I have been taken on ride by a master of his craft. Of the thousands of books I have read in my adult years, only a few other authors have maintained such a sure sense of perfection over every work they wrestled with. The only other author that comes to mind with a skill approaching Russo's is John Fante, with who book after book the author will leave you in awe.
I like to find either small or large issues with in a stories plot to quibble with, and in Empire Falls, the only aspects that deign a mention are that the silent character Tick, the daughter of the protagonist, befriends is very underdeveloped, I thought that Russo might have had his reasons for doing so, but that the portrayal of this character in such a manner was underwhelming and safe rout to follow by Russo. The lack of development does make sense in that the character is essential to the surprise in the end, but I feel that this person was very very thin. Also, several plot threads are left ultimately unresolved.
But those are minor quibbles, read this book, enjoy and then relish what a well-crafted novel this is.
Book Review: walking up subway stairs with this book in my nose
Summary: 5 Stars
I rarely like fiction, but I could not put this book down. Russo's understanding and observations of human nature are subtle but genius. He captures the nuances of mundane life with the shrug of a poet. Things we think but don't say, how we feel but can't express. Since I read this book, nothing has compared, and I have had to read more of Russo's work to compensate for the loss I feel at having finished this book. His other work is just as good, especially the short story "Joy Ride" in "The Whore's Child and Other Stories." From a non-fiction reader who is wary of any novel, take my advice and read this book. Unbelievably believable.Book Review: wonderful book
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a very interesting novel about a small town in Maine and the interesting cast of characters who live there. I loved every part of this book except I was mildly dissatisfied with the ending. I didn't feel that the motives behind Mrs. Whiting's actions were really explained. And the fate of the town is kind of left up in the air, I felt. Still, this is a book well worth reading.Book Review: wonderful book
Summary: 5 Stars
a must read.I have watched the movie and decided that I would like to read the book. As in most cases, the book was better than the movie. I recomend it.