Rewritten and Expanded Article:

Written by a different author, I'm not certain this plot would have been able to hold my attention throughout 483 pages. However, Richard Russo is truly a master of words, and I thoroughly enjoy delving into what each character thinks. In fact, the only character whose thoughts we don't get to explore is Francine Whiting, and this is a deliberate choice that makes perfect sense within the context of the story. Empire Falls is a town that has historically been run by the Whiting family, but it is now dying as the industry has moved away. There is so much more to this story than just that, and I would highly recommend it. I'm eager to find out if Russo has written anything else. If this sounds familiar to you, HBO has adapted it into a show or miniseries that is set to air in May, I believe.

Some of the quotations from the book are truly remarkable. For instance, “…He always had the last word in all differences of opinion with his wife, and that – two words, actually- was, ‘Yes, dear.’” This shows the dynamics within a relationship in a humorous way. Another one, “Though Miles didn’t think of himself as a man up to no good, he did prefer the notion of an all-loving God to that of an all-knowing one.” It gives an interesting perspective on a character's view of God. “There was much to be thankful for, even if the balance of things remained too precarious to inspire confidence, so on nights like this one his life seemed almost … almost enough.” This quote beautifully captures the bittersweet nature of life. “Lives are rivers. We imagine we can direct their paths, though in the end there’s but one destination, and we end up being true to ourselves only because we have no choice.” It offers a profound thought on the journey of life. “Let us not forget… the liberating effects of higher education. Though it doesn’t liberate everyone, does it?” This makes us think about the role and limitations of education. “A lively intellect, so much admired in a man, is seldom tolerated in a woman.” It touches on the issue of gender inequality. “What if we assume our relationship to God to be one thing, and it’s really something else? What if there’s something central to the equation that we’re leaving out?” This quote challenges our assumptions about God. “After all, what was the whole wide world but a place for people to yearn for their hearts’ impossible desires, for those desires to become entrenched in defiance of logic, plausibility, and even the passage of time, as eternal as polished marble?” It describes the human longing in a poetic way. “Was anything in the world truer than that intuitive leap of the heart?” This makes us question the authenticity of our intuitions. “What if all everybody needed in the world was to be sure of one friend? What if you were the one, and you refused to say those simple words?” It emphasizes the importance of friendship and the consequences of not expressing it.

I truly, truly have a great fondness for Russo. His works are extremely engaging and easy to breeze through. You can finish 480 pages in the blink of an eye, and yet, the characters manage to leap off the page and come alive. For me personally, it's an added bonus that his protagonists usually happen to be average middle-aged nice guys. However, Russo truly shines when it comes to creating the eccentric supporting cast. There's the cantankerous Max Russo, the abrasive Minty clan, and the rather "batshit" Father Tom. I believe this book falls just a little short of "Straight Man", but that's really not a huge criticism.

The remarkable aspect of this novel is the effortless way in which Russo switches the point of view, going from one character to another, and also moves forward and backward in time. To put it in the words of a common sentiment within the book, life alters rapidly, often in a split second, for these characters. And still, at its core, the book is one where the depth of the characters takes center stage.

Oh, and let's not forget, it's also hilarious. Well, most of the time anyway. It's a bit less so when there are deaths.

Whew. The only reason I managed to finish this was for a book group.

It commences with a rather long prologue presented in italics. I firmly believe that the first principle of typesetting dictates that italics are overly difficult to read for extensive passages. Alright, granted, that isn't Russo's shortcoming. However, the fact that most of the story is recounted rather than shown is indeed Russo's fault.

This is an extensive narrative about characters stuck in a rut, and that situation never truly alters. There are interminably long segments of backstory that seem entirely unnecessary. There's an abundance of repetition – yes, I understand, I don't require being informed five times. And I never wish to read again that someone "had to smile" or "couldn't help smiling." Goodness, what a way to write!

Virtually nothing occurs as the story progresses; Russo jumps forward and then reverts to fill in the details. That felt rather gimmicky. The same goes for Tick's point of view being in the present tense while the remainder is in the past. Oh, and the name of the town abruptly changes in one of the flashbacks. Just a plethora of oddities.

Several possibilities are foreshadowed, yet only one ultimately materializes. The grand climax feels contrived and is the solitary element that jolts Miles out of his rut, but he promptly reverts to it. There are numerous fascinating themes such as small town life, dying industries, class conflicts, and shattered dreams, etc. But it really didn't have to be nearly 500 pages long. A Pulitzer Prize winner? Seriously? It must have been a lackluster year.

Empire Falls is a sprawling and leisurely-told story that immediately captured and held my interest from the very first page. The author, Russo, devotes a significant amount of time to setting the stage and introducing a large and well-drawn cast of characters, along with numerous subplots. As I delved into the book, I found myself truly invested in the characters and their fates.

The story is set in the fictional Maine town of Empire Falls. Once a prosperous manufacturing center, the town has now fallen on hard times due to globalization and the outsourcing of factory jobs that once sustained the community. Russo skillfully描绘s a vivid picture of a blue-collar community living in quiet desperation, without being overly didactic. There is a palpable sense of poignancy and empathy towards those on the margins.

The main character, Miles Roby, is a decent man who once had the potential for a bright future and a means to escape his small town. However, he finds himself back in Empire Falls, managing a failing café and passively witnessing the breakdown of his 20-year marriage. Miles is a man living a life of quiet desperation, yet he is unable to recognize it. "I mean, if I were so unhappy, wouldn't I know?" For most of the novel, Miles remains oblivious until long-buried secrets come to light, jolting him into making the necessary changes in his life.

Despite the underlying themes of struggle and desperation, the book is far from being a long, depressing slog. In fact, it is filled with lively dialogue and vibrant secondary characters that are expertly written, making it a very funny read. Russo displays a humane sympathy for his characters, even as he playfully pokes fun at them. Overall, Empire Falls paints a poignant and engaging picture of small town America.

This is a book about life choices and the ability, or lack thereof, to deal with the consequences.

The setting is a declining American town, owned and manipulated by a single family, and the characters are a curious kaleidoscope of archetypes. By a series of circumstances that slowly come to the surface, Miles, once a young man with a future, has become a middle-aged man with a wife who will soon be his ex and a teenage daughter who will follow in his footsteps if he doesn't find the strength to show her there is another way.

The degree of self-restraint determines how high the walls of the prison we build for ourselves will be. The caution we are taught from childhood gradually and imperceptibly transforms into fear. No one can cause us more harm than what we allow, but often driven by love, duty, and honor - all noble impulses - we allow them to crush our spirit, and Miles has allowed himself to be in the role of a butterfly, pinned with a needle in its chest, a convenient exhibit in the hands of skillful manipulators. And what if one day, by chance, he manages to break the chains he has put on himself, will he find that he has forgotten how to stand upright?

Although the main one, this is just one of the storylines. Through the other characters, the author makes different, often diametrically opposed suggestions about the subjectivity of the important things in life - people, in the end, everything is a matter of perspective and personal choice.

The author's style is original, the language is rich and colorful, and the story is told with irony and a sense of humor. The strength of the book lies in the well-crafted and vivid images, which compensates for the lack of who knows what action.

And it is precisely in the author's unique style that the translator has stumbled, but he has stumbled so much that he has even become muddled. At first, the text sounded unedited, with numerous annoying repetitions. My annoyance quickly turned into total confusion, caused by the abundant semantic and grammatical errors. I found the original text and started comparing. It turns out that in English it sounds wonderful - very philosophical and ironic, despite the long sentences. The more I read, the more I was annoyed by how the total lack of professionalism has spoiled a beautiful book. As a result, for the first time in my life as a long-time reader, I wrote a letter to the publisher - Siela, in which I pointed out flagrant examples of a terrible translation. The answer came after 1 hour - feedback from the reader was valuable to them, but when it was founded; how many published translations had I had to be able to evaluate the work of the translator by name; the translation had been approved and even praised by the American Embassy; and we all had come across "much more flagrant cases". There was no comment on the examples! With the full awareness that I was wasting my time, I wrote another letter, in which among other things I pointed out that a person doesn't have to be a professional translator to feel that a text stinks from everywhere. In addition, if one day I decide to read self-help literature or for gray nuances, I wouldn't have any requirements for translation mastery or language culture. However, when it comes to a book of the caliber of Empire Falls, not only do I have such requirements, but Siela, as one of the largest publishers in Bulgaria, is obliged to respond to them at least almost perfectly. I still haven't received an answer...

This is one of those rare occasions when I truly wish GoodReads would offer half-star ratings. If that were the case, I could easily give "Empire Falls" four and a half stars. In my estimation, it was almost a five-star novel, but I did have a few minor quibbles with it.

Nevertheless, it is an excellent book, and I don't feel the need to review it at great length. My friend Jennifer, who not only recommended the book to me but also lent me her copy, has already written a brilliant assessment. Her review can be found at http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

So, what exactly are my quibbles? Well, they're not many, really. At times, I felt that Russo laid out too much for his readers. For example, there's a scene where David Roby details for his brother Miles the personality traits each sibling got from their father and which ones he received from their mother. It seemed like something Russo should have left for us, the readers, to figure out on our own. I wanted him to have more trust in his audience. Additionally, the book seemed to wrap up a bit too neatly. The lives Russo depicted were messy, and they deserved a less tidy conclusion.

Still, overall, the book is a staggering achievement. Russo has an amazing ability to see into the human condition. He shows how the way our parents raise us often determines the direction of our lives, even if we think we're smart enough to avoid those pitfalls and choose our own paths. (The novel sometimes feels like a book-length meditation on Philip Larkin's poem "This Be The Verse": "They fuck you up, your mum and dad. / They may not mean to, but they do. They fill you with the faults they had / And add some extra, just for you.")

On a personal note, it was interesting to read Richard Russo's book while also reading George Eliot's "Middlemarch." Both books, by depicting the lives of tightly knit communities - the births, deaths, love affairs, marriages, educations, careers, and dreams both failed and accomplished of the members of those communities - uncover the bigger truths about all of our lives. Both Eliot and Russo have a gift for the sardonic, and they make us develop an affection for characters who, objectively speaking, we probably shouldn't like. There's no way we should want to spend time with Russo's Max Roby, yet Russo is such a talented writer that we not only tolerate him but also develop a begrudging affection for him, just like his sons Miles and David.

I've already written more about "Empire Falls" than I initially intended. Jennifer really hit the nail on the head with her review, and you should read hers instead. Then, go ahead and read the book.

Man, I was completely and utterly in love with this book right up until around the last 50 pages or so.

The characters were so incredibly well-developed that they truly felt like my friends. The storylines and relationship arcs were deep, complex, and intertwined, spanning across the past, present, and future. There was love, sorrow, triumph, and despair, all beautifully woven together.

But then, holy god, everything took a drastic turn. It got so dark, so mean, cruel, and calamitous. It was far, far more than I had expected based on all that had come before. It was more than any of these characters deserved, and quite frankly, more than I could stomach. It was like a sudden descent into a goddamn Shakespearean tragedy. The story just kept getting bleaker and bleaker, in a chaotic and crushing rush towards the end.

A three-star rating seems unfair for such a rich and beautiful saga. However, that one tipping-point scene, that one harrowing moment and all of its devastating aftermath, is all that I'm going to remember a few months or years from now. And that really fucking sucks.

I was somewhat disappointed with this book. Although I believe the prose is often excellent, Russo manages a large number of characters with distinct personalities and perspectives on the main narrative, which is quite impressive. However, my general reason for thinking this book falls a little flat is Russo's apparent unwillingness to make a couple of hard choices with his characters or to keep his mouth shut when silence is better than filling in the gaps in the story.

I've always felt that movies which end with the little paragraphs telling you what happened to all the characters afterward suffer from clumsy story-telling. A well composed narrative doesn't need to explain "what happened next" and can survive (or even thrive) on the negative spaces - the suggestive gaps in information. Russo can't help himself and tells us "what happened" even when we'd probably be better off guessing.

There are some stand-out moments. For example, an exceptionally well executed chapter where he drifts in and out of the head of a gay priest as he comes to realize that the senile older priest he cares for has taken the parish car to Key West. The chapter winds lazily from this turning point in the story, to the priest's brush with homosexuality, to his feelings about it, his self-deception about it. Meanwhile, he struggles with writing a sermon and gives readers a kind of third-party perspective on the main story line involving an affair between two long-dead characters. Very well done.

But ultimately, the ending is disappointing to me. It was clear to me that Miles' daughter should have died. Miles' misery was the price that he was paying for his mother's infidelity. This is already an unfair arrangement, which would have been thoroughly underscored by his loss of the thing he cared about most. But more importantly, his daughter was the largest piece of leverage that Ms. Whiting had over Miles, so losing Tick would, in a very sad but clear way, free him from Whiting's control. Russo is unwilling to kill Tick off and saves her in a less-than-believable way.

Another example of Russo's lack of restraint is the "Epilogue" which unnecessarily explains the remaining mysterious parts of the story. There's even a tacky heading half way through it: "So What Prevented Him?" Totally disappointing. The book would have been better for leaving us guessing about the reasoning behind C.B.'s suicide, which pretty obviously had to do with Grace Roby even without Russo's rib-elbowing. I don't think that the "Epilogue" was the result of lack of respect for readers' competence - though I could imagine some patronizing editor at Vintage saying "you can't just let the story end *there* why did C.B. kill himself?" I think it comes more from Russo's own lack of self-control as a writer.

Bottom line: definitely a fine piece of prose writing, but I can't get over the feeling of being force-fed the narrative.

This is an outstanding American novel that delves into the intertwined lives of the residents of Empire Falls, Maine. Empire Falls is a once-thriving mill town that is now in decline, dominated by the powerful Whiting clan. The story spans several generations, primarily focusing on the present while also vividly recalling the past. Just like any small town, it is a place filled with secrets, a mix of good and bad people. However, all the characters are masterfully drawn with great respect. There is wisdom to be found here, as well as perception and blindness, short-lived joys and long-lasting regrets. This book truly speaks to me, echoing issues that are both personal and real in my own life. It is undoubtedly a masterpiece.

Some of the characters in this novel make moral decisions and bravely face the consequences of their actions. Decisions are made based on moral principles, and the characters willingly pay the price for their sins. The working class and the upper class interact in this captivating tale that is rich with religion and human experience. It offers a profound exploration of the human condition and the complex web of relationships that exist within a small town.

Title: [Original Article Title]

Original Article: This is a piece of excellent prose. It beautifully describes the author's emotions and thoughts. The language is vivid and the descriptions are detailed, making the reader feel as if they are experiencing the same things as the author.

Expanded Article: This is truly a remarkable piece of excellent prose. It delicately weaves together the author's profound emotions and intricate thoughts, creating a literary masterpiece. The language employed is not only vivid but also rich in imagery, painting a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The detailed descriptions are so immersive that the reader can almost feel as if they are right there, sharing every moment and experiencing the same things as the author. It is a work that transports the reader to another world, captivating their hearts and minds and leaving a lasting impression.

Wow. Russo's psychological portrait of a small town is truly remarkable.

He delves deep into the dreams, ambitions, and failings of over a dozen related characters. As the story unfolds, these characters gradually come to understand each other and themselves.

Most of the novel is dedicated to exploring the past, but Russo does so in a brilliant way. He shows how the past has had a profound impact on the characters and their actions, shaping their lives for years to come.

The detailed descriptions and complex characterizations make this a truly engaging read. It's a story that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

Russo's ability to bring the small town and its inhabitants to life is a testament to his talent as a writer. This is a novel that is well worth reading.

The reviews that prove most arduous for me to pen are not those that are negative or even overly praiseworthy. Instead, they are the ones regarding books that might not be the most exquisitely written or the most intricately plotted, yet manage to touch me on a profoundly personal level, striking right at the core of my being. I had not delved into any other novel by Richard Russo prior to this, but commencing on Empire Falls felt akin to attending a party where one knows no one, initiating a conversation with a stranger, and astonishingly discovering that you are kindred spirits. It was as if I ended up on the balcony, chatting ceaselessly about life, the universe, and everything under the sun until the dawn broke.

Empire Falls is set in a small factory town in Maine, once home to paper and textile mills. However, after the industry has relocated to a third world country, what remains are the former workers. They now haunt the dilapidated streets like zombies, emotionally depleted and too fatigued to even contemplate starting anew.

The central figure in Empire Falls is Miles Roby, a middle-aged man who has been flipping burgers at the Empire Grill for two decades. Brought back from a promising start at a Boston college due to a family crisis, Miles now grapples with numerous challenges. He strives to keep the business afloat for his wealthy owner, copes with divorce and a teenage daughter, contends with a brother recovering from drug addiction, a father who is a con artist and crook, an old flame returning to town, and another who ignores his hesitant advances. Additionally, he spends a great deal of time reminiscing about the past and the wrong turns that have led him to this dead end.

I will refrain from attempting to expound further on the plot, save for mentioning that there is a great deal of resentment and passion simmering beneath the seemingly placid surface of the town, culminating in a devastating conclusion. By following Miles Roby down memory lane, I have not only unearthed the secret history of Empire Falls but also become acquainted with the personal dramas of his friends and family. By the conclusion of the story, I felt as though I had also spent a portion of my life in a rundown industrial town. This, for me, is the strength of Richard Russo: his empathy for these flawed individuals and his incisive insights, delivered with a compassionate touch. I have only one quote to illustrate my point, but there are countless others in the story that I have left aside, choosing instead to focus on the families and their tribulations. Miles watches his daughter's schoolmates sitting at a table in his diner and thinks, "My God, he couldn't help thinking, how terrible it is to be that age, to have emotions so near the surface that the slightest turbulence causes them to boil over. That, very simply, was what adulthood must be all about – acquiring the skill to bury things more deeply. Out of sight and, whenever possible, out of mind."

Empire Falls is not a cheerful tale, although it does occasionally manage to elicit a laugh or a moment of tenderness. The predominant tone is one of loneliness and sadness, which is why I was reminded of how a picture can convey a thousand words. This is also why I decided that the best way to capture the impression it made on me was to include some artwork in my review. Here are some of the images that I believe represent the various aspects of the story:

- How I envision Empire Falls, the town:

- How I picture the Empire Grill, the diner:

- Tick and her boyfriend in the evening:

- The isolated house by the railroad (yes, there is one spooky house in the novel):

- Miles Roby's wife:

- Miles Roby's mother, as a young woman:

** all images copyright Edward Hopper