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Summary: My Thoughts on Empire Falls
Review: Empire Falls, a novel by Richard Russo, is somewhat boring. It is entirely about a single man living in a small town in Maine. Although the plot of the book is quite boring, Russo's use of characterization, both direct and indirect, and his use of flashbacks really added to the novel. If it were not for his excellent utilization of characterization, one would not have read past the fifth page. The flashbacks Russo wrote of the main character, Miles Roby were rather enjoyable. Just when the book would get a bit dull, Russo would have a flashback of Miles' childhood vacations and what not. Those would get the reader back into the swing of the novel and helped move it along quite nicely. Another pleasing thing about the novel was the way Russo did not just write about a single character and follow him throughout the book; rather Russo would jump around and fill the reader in on Tick, Miles' teenage daughter, and other characters. Even though this device would keep the attention of the reader most of the time, it sometimes had a way of getting the reader lost. Sometimes new people would join a conversation and one would get thrown off. Another device used to spice up the novel was Russo's use of humor. Almost every line would have humorous twist to it. Whether it was a funny childhood story or a crack on his father, Max, the book was packed with rich humor. So in conclusion, although the plot was a bit dull, Richard Russo's use of characterization, perfectly timed flashbacks and the immensely satisfying use of humor makes the novel Empire Falls worthwhile.
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Summary: A wonderful novel that will stay with you
Review: The elegance of this 2002 Pulitzer Prize winning novel can be described best by one of his characters, teenager Tick, who decides "just because things happen slow doesn't mean you'll be ready for them." Miles, the central character of Russo's story, runs the Empire Grill in economically depressed Empire Falls, Maine. He ekes out a life hoping for parity: that his loyalty to the grill and to its wealthy owner Mrs. Whiting will result in his owning the business, that his patience with his daughter Tick will be rewarded with openness, that his soon-to-be-ex wife Janine will find what was lacking in him in her fiancé Walt, that his youthful failure to escape the town will have some redemption. But the complexity of Mrs. Whiting's interest in him remains out of his grasp, and the dynamics of Tick's life are largely hidden from him. Janine has a growing need for exactly what she hated so much about Miles. Worst of all, Miles sees himself as destined to remain a loser who gives and never gets. Russo explores the storylines of all these characters and others, allowing the reader intimate glimpses into their lives. In Empire Falls, relationships between husbands and wives and between parents and children are never simple. Russo's characters suffer in ways that are passionately ordinary - that is, until everything funnels into one explosive, extraordinary moment. I literally had to put the book down to absorb this climatic scene. That this scene was both prepared for and totally shocking speaks to the author's skill.I cannot recommend this book highly enough. The characters are lively and sympathetic - even the ones that might be called villains - and despite the quiet nature of the narrative, it is a difficult book to put down.
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Summary: 20-something Chicago woman
Review: I read this because my book club selected it. Russo's writing style was enjoyable and he describes the small-town characters well, but it wasn't really my type of book. Meaning, I can identify with 20 and 30 something female authors a lot better than a 40 something man. The next best charatcers I had to identify with: teenage daughter and 40 something woman. It's not my kind of book, but I will suggest it to a 40 something man I know who is going through a divorce.
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Summary: Another winner
Review: This is a surprising book in some respects. While the story deals with a small, econmically stalled community peopled with what might be considered just average folks, their lives, histories and behavior are far from simple; and the lessons to be learned from their experiences are basic yet profound. The book reveals a multi-layered picture of contemporary America, and covers the vagaries of capitalism, religion, human relationships, politics and dreams - all incongruously colored by an undercurrent of hope mixed with varying degrees of despair. Russo's narrator, Miles, has a wry and tolerant voice, and he himself stands to undergo major enlightenment and transformation by the end of the book, along with most of his fellow characters. Russo paints his characters and the town with an expert brush, and the end result carries the reader to deep levels of vicarious experience. Every character is so well drawn and so distinctive that even minor ones remain vivid after the book is finished. The flashbacks add a strong spine to propel the story along. Russo's use of the techniques as as good as it can get, and the story might have been weakened without it.
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Summary: Amazing!
Review: Usually it takes me a good month or more to read an almost-500 page book. I read Empire Falls in 3 weeks. I simply could not put this book down! Russo pulls no punches in his depiction of his characters, all of whom have one problem or another (even the cat) but it's clear that he cares about each and every one of them, even if they're not necessarily very likeable. And as with all great literature, there are some profound, often amusing insights into the human condition, even if you may not agree with every one. As an aside, scrolling through the various reviews, I found every single one of the negative reviews to be without merit or any sort of critical insight. While everyone is entitled to their opinion, if a reader finds he or she cannot appreciate the strong prose, characterization and craftsmanship of a novel about small town life, I highly recommend something less challenging. That said, I found Empire Falls a highly enjoyable read, from its bitingly funny prologue to its irony-tinged epilogue. Highly recommended!
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Summary: Wonderful characters
Review: The first thing to strike you about "Empire Falls" by Russo are the characters. They're real--almost too real--for their interactions with each other are so well drawn as to be creepy. Set in a New England mill town, this Richard Russo novel is probably the best read I've come across in months. I'm usually one to stick with a proven bestseller like "Da Vinci Code" or "Bark of the Dogwood" but decided to veer off the path and try something new. Boy and I glad I did!
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Summary: Hit me with this book!
Review: Why did I buy this tome??? It was shallow and pedantic.
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Summary: This won a Pulitzer?
Review: I was disappointed after all the hype this book received. I was halfway into it, and still saying, "When will something happen?" Several plot threads were left hanging, most notably, what about Fr. Mark and the gay artist? Mrs. Whiting was so one-dimensional as to be a caricature. The pyschotic cat/familiar, her use in every conversation of "dear boy". Who says that? Also, the stereotypical Catholic guilt thing has been done to death. Come up with something original to slam Catholics for. Heaven knows there is enough material out there for that.
There were some hilarious moments, touching moments, sad and disturbing moments, but the plotting was so slow it ruined the book for me. I would have put it down halfway through if I were not reading it for my book group.
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Summary: Cinematic and Entertaining Pulitizer Prize Winner
Review: I doubt there has been a more filmic and fun Pulitzer Prize winning novel written. Since there are so many sufficent and accurate reviews already, I only like to add that Max Roby and Father Tom were so entertaining they deserve their own sequel.
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Summary: A Big Drama for a Small Town
Review: Richard Russo prepares the reader for what is to be an indepth expoloration of the characters in Empire Falls in the prologue as Francine Robidoux, the intended bride, changes Charles Beaumont Whiting, third generation heir to the textile mill, shirt factory, and seemingly most of the rest of the community into "Charlie" in a heartbeat. Mild-mannered Miles Roby is the main protagonist in this richly crafted tale of life in a small town which has fallen onto perpetual hard economic times. The characters range from the manipulative Francine Whiting, to the hoplessly outlandish drifter Max Roby, father to Miles. Other richly crafted characters are woven into this multilayered story of intrigue, love, and tragedy. As in any good drama there are lightheated comic moments which contrast with the darker forboding and heart rendering moments. The Pulitzer Prize committee did well to pick this story for the 2002 winner.
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