Review: Empire Falls by Richard Russo
2 Words that describe the book: Small town life
3 Settings where it took place or characters you met:
- Setting: Empire Falls, Maine, not too long ago but not present day
- Miles Roby—The quintessential “nice guy,” Miles has been working at the Empire Grill for more than 20 years—a fact that would have killed his mother Grace if she hadn’t died of cancer years before. Divorced and still pining for his long ago crush, Miles’s life centers around his daughter Tick, whose passage through high school is anything but easy.
- Francine Whiting—The richest woman in town, Francine Whiting seemingly controls every aspect of town life. Yet her interest in Miles seems to go beyond casual—causing Miles to look to his past to find out what binds the Roby and Whiting families together.
- I liked how Russo takes his time developing the characters. Although the story is told primarily through Miles’s eyes, we also get to know his ex-wife Janine, Tick, his brother David, his father Max, his neighbor and nemesis Jimmy Minty and a host of other residents who populate the town. My personal favorite was Miles’s father Max, who was so laughably awful and foul and direct that you just gotta love him.
- I liked how Russo lets the story develop slowly before letting it rip loose. At points, I wasn’t sure if anything was going to happen or if the book was simply a portrait of small town America. In many ways, the book was like a roller coaster. There is a slow steady upward climb until you reach the top of the hill and come flying down the other side, dizzy from the speed and twists and turns.
- I liked how Russo weaves several plot lines together to create a rich tapestry of stories. We explore Miles’s childhood and his mother’s secrets, Tick’s difficulties at school and her attempt to reach out to a troubled boy, and the tragic story of Francine Whiting’s daughter Cindy. Interwoven with these primary story lines are countless little moments that bring into focus the other residents of the town.
- I liked the depth and breadth of the book. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 2002, and I think it is worthy of the honor. In many ways, it is an “epic” novel that keeps it focus tightly on one little town while demonstrating that every small town and every regular person has a story worth telling.
I’m giving the book 4 stars. Give yourself time to read this book; it isn’t a book to be rushed through. Be patient as you get to know the residents of Empire Falls and learn their stories. You’ll find the the characters will stay with you long after reading. And unlike many “important” prize-winning books, Empire Falls is very readable, accessible and understandable. It is filled with sadness, humor, love, passion, hate, selfishness and all the other emotions that make up all of our lives. The fact that I can recall almost all of the characters names and the plot lines without looking them up even though I read the book at the beginning of January should tell you something!
This book counts towards my What’s In A Name Challenge, the Awesome Authors Challenge, the 100+ Books Challenge, the Reading from My Shelves Challenge, and possibly the Take Another Chance Challenge. Whew!
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And it seems that our Show Me 5 Saturday hostess is missing in action since November so I thought I’d include a Mr. Linky with my post in case you want to hook up your own contribution. Hopefully, she’ll be back to blogging soon.
I hate to be picky but "small town life" is three words!
but the book sounds interesting.
I haven't read this Russo book but I really liked "The Risk Pool." I see you're reading Interpreter of Maladies. I LOVED that book.
Wow, this sounds fantastic! I really do need to try one of Russo's books.
I like the sound of this one and if its a prizewinner my library should have it.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I really liked EF (and the rest of his books – they're all on my keeper shelf).
I'm sitting here racking my brain why this book sounds familiar. I've not read it. Is it on a list? I don't know. I was born and raised near a very small farm town and my parents still live there. I know it would be ripe material for a book! I'm intrigued!
Loved the book and the movie. Planning to read a lot more Russo: That Old Cape Magic was great!
I live in a small town now, and am friends with someone who knows just about everyone. The dynamics of relationships here both fascinate and repel me…it's kind of fun being an outsider, watching how this place hums along.
I read this book a number of years ago and loved it! I completely agree with your assessment that it is a book that should be read slowly.
Empire Falls is on my wishlist. Thank you for reviewing it. I added my link.
Kathy
I had this book but I gave it away on account of being a very impatient type. But he is certainly a well-regarded author.
It sounds a little like Olive Kittredge-well developed characters, small town. I'll have to put it on my list.
This is the only Russo I've read so far (yes, I have a list!), and you describe it perfectly … be patient and settle into the story, as it settles into you.
This is one of my favorites. I'm glad you finally read it and that you enjoyed it. It's been a couple years since I picked it up and all of the characters are still fresh in my mind.
Russo is one of my favorite authors, despite that he has yet to really END a book well. Interestingly, I find him laugh-out-loud funny, while Mrs.5000, who likes him too, finds him serious and somber. My belly laughs disconcert her.
This is on my wish list. Glad to see it's a winner!
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