Winner of the Pulitzer Prize“Russo writes with a warm, vibrant humanity…. A stirring mix of poignancy, drama and comedy.” —The Washington PostWelcome to Empire Falls, a blue-collar town full of abandoned mills whose citizens surround themselves with the comforts and feuds provided by lifelong friends and neighbors and who find humor and hope in the most unlikely places, in this Pulitzer … places, in this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Richard Russo.
Miles Roby has been slinging burgers at the Empire Grill for 20 years, a job that cost him his college education and much of his self-respect. What keeps him there? It could be his bright, sensitive daughter Tick, who needs all his help surviving the local high school. Or maybe it’s Janine, Miles’ soon-to-be ex-wife, who’s taken up with a noxiously vain health-club proprietor. Or perhaps it’s the imperious Francine Whiting, who owns everything in town–and seems to believe that “everything” includes Miles himself. In Empire Falls Richard Russo delves deep into the blue-collar heart of America in a work that overflows with hilarity, heartache, and grace.
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A wonderful book! I don’t generally enjoy character-driven novels, but this was wonderful! The characters were very well developed…I really cared about them and felt their pain and their joy. There were no earth-shattering occurrences, yet the entire world shifted and changed as the story developed. Maybe it was a bit too long, but it was …
Although there is some great material here for an outstanding story about a dying blue-collar town, Russo spent way too much time covering unnecessary filler and tedious exposition. However, since the novel won the 2002 Pulitzer, I labored through it to see if I could find the reason why. Unfortunately, I never found it.
As a gentle disclaimer, …
Always love immersing myself in Russo’s settings. His characters quickly feel like old friends- the kind of folk I’d want in my corner.
I really like Russo’s books, but find them on the gloomy side. If you are looking for an uplifting book, pick another.
Have Loved every
My favorite Richard Russo book, full of the usual charm and many interesting characters that often populate his books.
It’s difficult for me not to give any Richard Russo less than 4 stars though this one bordered between 3 and 4. Being such a master storyteller, Russo’s characters and small town stories touch us in so many ways. If there was a problem I found overall, it was the italicized back story chapters which while needed were a bit lengthy to me. To …
Russo (one of my favorites) weaves an intricate tapestry of a story in his Pulitzer-winning novel, “Empire Falls.” The sheer quantity of things going on in this story is what gives it its strength.Massive in scope,it tells a story that occurs over three generations of residents of Empire Falls. The important relationships and motives develop not …
I came to this book in a unique way. I read that Paul Newman had read this book and called Richard Russo and said, “I want to do this movie.” I’ve always loved Paul Newman and respected his opinion. I picked up the book and loved it. The book clicks along as a character story until the end where it takes a wicked turn which I didn’t see coming. …
Everything Richard Russo writes is well worth reading !
Russo’s extraordinary saga about the deteriorating small town of Empire Falls near central Maine mesmerized me in an atmosphere so intimate and profound that I relished every moment of how he examines the joys and sorrows of his characters, as though echoing the shared hardships of their humanity. What makes this novel remarkable is Russo’s …
Wonderful writing, interesting well-developed characters, entertaining, and throughly enjoyable.
Engaging, unpredictable story of authentic and well drawn characters enduring the struggles of life in a dying town. Straightforward descriptions rendered in believable and relatable prose.
Love Russo’s writing. Very believable people. This was a tale of a power hungry hateful woman. She got her just desserts
I thought the story was well crafted and certainly believeable. It could have been overly pretentious with its characters but wasn’t,
All in all an solid read.
Beautifully written
Russo is a great author and brings eccentric characters to life
I liked this book very much. The main character is both good and literate, but flawed in managing his relationships. Lots of finely-drawn characters and their interactions with each other in a small Maine town.
Boring!
I THINK I RATED THIS BEFORE. IT IS ON MY LIST TO READ AGAIN.