Empire Falls by Richard Russo Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Empire Falls
Book Review: A cross between an epic and a sit-com
Summary: 5 Stars
What makes this novel a success is Russo's incredible ability to flesh out a huge cast of characters which drive a finely balanced plot, which chronicles the decline of the small town of Empire Falls, ME. The author challenges the reader to accept these highly flawed characters for what they are, while entertaining with creative, darkly funny analogies of the common man's condition. The reason this book is already a classic is it encapsulates the feelings of those left behind by the rise of a new age and century, using modern language and colorful humor.
Book Review: A deeply satisfying story with characters worth caring for
Summary: 5 Stars
On the surface this is a book about the people from an old mill town hanging on to the threads of what used to be an understandable and simple life. But underneath this layer is the story of people struggling to reconcile their youthful dreams and aspirations with the tough realities that face them as they age (the forces of nature and a changing world as well as their own shortcomings). A deeply satisfying story with complex characters worth caring about.Book Review: A deserving winner of the Pulitzer
Summary: 5 Stars
When asked what this book was about, I was left describing a very generic storyline about the lives of severl people in a blue collar town in Maine. This book is so much more than that. I couldn't do the book any justice by trying to describe it in a sentence or two. Empire Falls is simply one of the most touching human dramas I have ever read. This book works on so many different levels, it's easy to see why it won the Pulitzer. Some of the many sub-plots include: the heartwarming story of a father's relationship with his teenage daughter and his heartfelt desire for her to have a better life; a mother experiencing a mid-life crisis and trying to recapture a youth she never experienced in the first place; a years-long, unspoken and unrequited love between co-workers; and the ever-maddening, often comic, always tragic relationship between Miles Roby and Mrs. Whiting. At times, the stories Russo relates about these characters made me laugh out loud. A truly spectacular book, one which will forever be one of my favorites of all time.Book Review: A good read, but a Pulitzer?
Summary: 4 Stars
Most of the members of my bookclub enjoyed Empire Falls. Russo's characterization is flawless -- he manages to bring out minor characters as well as major ones. The book moves along well, and tells a believable story for the most part. The most realistic part of the book may be the end, which leaves us, much as real life, knowing how some things resolve, but not others. Real life doesn't tie everything up in a neat little package and neither does Russo -- will there be a sequel? I would read it!Book Review: A great character study
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is a wonderful character study of a family and group of people surrounding them. Each character is so well defined you feel like they are people you know, that live next door to you. As other people have said, you have to stick with it because it is slow at points but it draws you in and keeps you engaged. I will be sure to read his other books as well.