This book is filled with the sort of hyperbole that I simply cannot support.

Miles was extremely hapless. His daughter was astonishingly thin and carried a backpack that was so weighty that it caused the room to tremble whenever she set it down. His ex-wife was an absolute super bitch. That other guy was incredibly obnoxious. His mother was extraordinarily beautiful, while his father was equally repulsive.

They remained confined within their respective boxes, never emerging. It was truly boring. I would have much preferred a more exaggerated plot, but unfortunately, nothing interesting ever occurred.

The lack of excitement and the overuse of hyperbole made this book a rather unappealing read for me.

I tried, I really tried. At first, I thought, "Oh well, seems like a nice book to get into. Let yourself be carried in that little town through the story and the characters." However, I gave up this idea after some time (Kindle) in the book.

The chapters were way too long, filled with everyday dialogues of mundane stuff. It could have been interesting, but not when there's an excessive amount. You have your 14 - 20 characters, and they interact with each other in various combinations throughout the book. The action, well, we learn about it through the characters' conversations with each other, or even worse, through their memories (written in italics for pages on end). This book seemed to have no clear purpose; it could have gone on forever, like those 80's series (Dallas, Dynasty...). After accurately reading 30%, I started skipping paragraphs (sic!), and yet I still had a sense of what was happening. And the only moment when something truly happens is in the last part. Still, this book could have endured indefinitely until the characters died from too much talking to each other.

There's that American superficiality again that I often see in contemporary books ("All the lights we cannot see", this one, "A little life"). Did this one receive a Pulitzer based on the number of pages? There's just the story within that town; life doesn't occur outside of it. There are only the town's dramas, and you have to endure that for more than 500 pages.

I thought a great deal about "Stoner" while reading this book. Stoner vs Miles. Comparable characters, yet I could read that other book to the end. Probably because it was shorter and more focused. Here, you have a concoction with 14 or so characters, and none of them really grabs you. And I have to fault the author because Miles Ruby had the potential to be a memorable character. So it's not his fault; it's Mr. Russo's.

In today's American literature, there's a lot of emphasis on quantity. Yanighara's work was massive and ultimately left the reader with nothing substantial. This one is the same, and "4321" is also huge. Anthony Doerr's books are quite lengthy as well.

I don't know; a book must have a plot, something to keep the reader engaged and happy. I read numerous reviews talking about the "atmosphere of that town." But you can't write a book trying to create an atmosphere over more than 500 pages. Either you capture that atmosphere from the start, or you don't.

Sorry, Adriana. I would have liked to enjoy the book. I chose my words carefully here because it's one of your favorite books from last year. But it simply didn't work for me at all.

The history of American literature may very well suggest that Richard Russo penned the last great novel of the 20th century.

His recently released "Empire Falls" casts a spotlight on the fading culture of small-town life, in a way that is both enlightening and intense. It masterfully captures the intricate interplay of past and present, comedy and tragedy, nation and individual, all in the grand tradition of America's greatest literary works.

In this meticulously crafted novel, the mills that once caused Empire Falls, Maine, to thrive during the latter half of the 19th century have long since shut down. However, the Whiting family still holds sway over the industrial remnants, the river frontage, most of the town's buildings, and even the weary souls of its inhabitants.

One such submissive citizen is Miles Roby. His inherent patience, which has become almost reflexive, frustrates even those friends and relatives who hold him dear. Twenty years ago, against the wishes of his dying mother, he dropped out of college to care for her and manage the Empire Grill.

Like everything else in this town, the grill is owned by the Whiting matriarch. But Miles clings to a nebulous promise that he will inherit the rundown restaurant when the opportune moment arrives.

However, time has come and gone in Empire Falls, and old Mrs. Whiting shows no inclination of ever relinquishing her grip on life, the town, or Miles. Alongside her manic cat, she has long harbored an interest in him, manifested through acts of generosity that are laced with a hint of toxicity.

At 42, Miles finds himself trapped in a greasy spoon, "haunted by a profound sense of personal failure."

His fitness-obsessed wife has filed for divorce, loudly airing his various shortcomings. She plans to marry the virile Silver Fox, a regular patron at the Empire Grill who is full of unsolicited suggestions about improving the business.

Although Miles is effectively single again, the waitress he has admired since high school has fallen in love with his brother, who may be using the restaurant as a front for distributing marijuana.

Adding to his troubles, one of his high school friends has become a petty police officer and has launched a campaign of low-level harassment against him.

And finally, his 16-year-old daughter seems unable to break free from her sleazy boyfriend, make peace with her future stepfather, or distance herself from a disturbingly troubled classmate.

Amidst all these challenges, Miles raises his daughter with a quiet sense of desperation, settling for a truce with the forces that are smothering his earlier dreams. "There was much to be thankful for," he thinks, "even if the balance of things remained too precarious to inspire confidence."

But this sullen peace is merely a façade, covering a spirit that is torn by love and fear, guilt and resentment. Russo captures these tensions exquisitely as Miles paints an old church in his spare time. He volunteered for the job, but he eyes the tall steeple with dread as he scrapes away the flakes, preparing for a new coat of white.

Like so many other episodes in this remarkable book, this scene is rich with symbolic meaning, yet it is seamlessly integrated into the fabric of these people's lives.

Just as the past continues to linger around Empire Falls, italicized chapters interject into the main story to trace the strange connection between Miles's family and the Whitings. These episodes, infused with gothic motifs and punctuated by tragedy, emphasize the tremors of will and affection that still reverberate within the survivors.

The deadpan wit that characterized Russo's previous book, "Straight Man," pervades this more substantial novel as well, particularly in his scathing (and hilariously funny) portrayals of small-minded individuals.

But what truly sets Russo apart is his willingness to delve into the minds of the vain, the stupid, the stubborn, and even the cruel, and discover within their vulnerable souls the seeds of dormant humanity.

The pressure that causes the Knox River to deposit debris along the banks of Empire Falls is no more potent than the urges of these alienated individuals to cause chaos and destruction among those around them. Throughout this expansive book, Russo describes the politics of the town, the school, and the family with a sense of moral indignation, tempered by a comical appreciation of the grotesque.

The inhabitants of Empire Falls seem so vivid and real that even the tiniest incidents are captivating, and the horrors that unfold will leave you breathless. Try as you might to remind yourself that it's just a book, but you'll find yourself praying that their dreams somehow come to life.

"After all," the narrator remarks, "what was the whole wide world but a place for people to yearn for their hearts' impossible desires, for those desires to become deeply ingrained in defiance of logic, plausibility, and even the passage of time, as eternal as polished marble?"

In "Empire Falls," Russo has sculpted the entire world of this small town with such precision and authenticity that we can't help but reflect on the dimensions of our own lives.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Books/Book-R...

The book commences with a truly brilliant and unforgettable image that immediately captures the reader's attention.

However, as the narrative progresses, it gradually becomes less and less memorable.

Russo's writing style is pleasantly lulling and subtle, which is particularly appropriate for the description of the slow and inevitable demise of a midland Maine town.

Nevertheless, the book unfortunately goes on for far too long, causing the reader to lose some of their initial enthusiasm.

Moreover, the ending is completely unsatisfying, leaving the reader with a sense of disappointment and a feeling that the story could have been wrapped up more effectively.

Overall, while the book has some redeeming qualities, such as its engaging opening and Russo's writing style, it ultimately falls short due to its excessive length and lackluster conclusion.

Sublime storytelling.

How else can one describe a novel that appears to have a sluggish plot at first glance, but by the end, you suddenly realize that a great deal has actually taken place? I was approximately a quarter of the way through "Empire Falls" when it dawned on me that since this book won the Pulitzer Prize, there was a rather good possibility that I was in for another three-quarters of the same... simply excellent writing, but ultimately a novel that would bore me to tears... much like other prize-winning novels I had endured.

However, I persisted, mainly because a couple of my GoodReads friends, whose tastes align with mine, raved about it. And it didn't hurt to know that there was an acclaimed HBO series made from it, featuring a stellar cast.

Well.

It didn't take much longer than a quarter of the way through this novel to realize that I was onto something truly special here. By the time I was halfway through, I couldn't put it down."Empire Falls" is an exquisitely written (and easily readable - this is the author's brilliance) story about a blue-collar mill town that has fallen on hard times. It's simply a story about these people, but ultimately it's not a simple story at all. These are complex characters, and I cannot emphasize highly enough how well they are drawn. It's a serious novel, yet with some humor thrown in (I laughed out loud several times - Max has an uncanny similarity to Frank in "Shameless," if you're familiar with that show...).

I had an extremely hard time getting this novel out of my mind, and even two days later, I still can't stop thinking about it. I predict that "Empire Falls" will be the best novel I've read this year. It is already one of the best I've read in my life. It's that good.

Maybe I'm over-hyping this. Maybe not. Who cares. THIS makes the reading experience sublime. 10 stars. I am outta here.

My very first Richard Russo novel was a choice I made deliberately.

I selected it because it had the honor of winning the Pulitzer Prize, and I was in search of something that was exquisitely written.

This particular novel is truly terrific, and its charm lies in its simplicity.

The story unfolds in a small town, delving into the life of the characters. There is a divorce that serves as a significant event, and the story of a high-school daughter, along with her subplot, adds depth and complexity to the narrative.

It might take a little patience and time to fully immerse oneself in the story, but once you do, it becomes evident that it is well worth the effort.

The simplicity of the setting and the characters' experiences make the story relatable and engaging, drawing the reader in and keeping them hooked until the very end.

Richard Russo has a remarkable ability to tell a story that is both profound and accessible, and this novel is a prime example of his talent.

Although there is some truly great material present here that has the potential to form an outstanding story about a dying blue-collar town, Russo unfortunately dedicated an inordinate amount of time to covering unnecessary filler and rather tedious exposition.

However, given that the novel was awarded the 2002 Pulitzer, I persevered through it with the hope of uncovering the reason behind its success. Regrettably, I remained unsuccessful in my search.

As a gentle disclaimer, it should be noted that I have a greater inclination towards enjoying books that employ literary minimalism or a transgressive style. Therefore, my opinion might potentially be regarded as biased.

The story did possess certain fantastic elements. Notably, the close and affectionate bonds that existed between the father, daughter, uncle, and (ex)mother-in-law were quite heartwarming. However, it must be cautioned that the novel often takes unexpected turns and goes off on tangents.

With a page count of just under 500, this makes the reading experience rather labor-intensive and excessive. If all the superfluous filler had been trimmed, the book could have been a much more engaging read, comfortably resting around 300 pages.

But alas, the amount of junk that I had to wade through in order to reach the worthy details far outweighed the time that I wasted in the process of occasionally reaching a payoff. In the end, it simply wasn't worth the effort.

The winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 2002 is truly an outstanding work.

What a charming and captivating book it is!

"Empire Falls" delves into the everyday life of a small New England town that is unfortunately in a state of decline. The story is filled with a unique blend of humor and sadness, which makes it all the more engaging.

Every member of our book club was extremely glad to have read this remarkable book. It is just wonderful in every sense.

The book truly deserves a perfect 5 out of 5 stars rating. It manages to paint a vivid picture of the town and its inhabitants, their joys, sorrows, and the challenges they face in a declining community. It is a literary masterpiece that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

I first read "Empire Falls" nearly 20 years ago when my son was a tween. At that time, I was deeply captivated by the relationship between the main character, Miles Roby, and his sensitive 15-year-old daughter, Tick. Now, upon rereading the book, Tick still remains my favorite character.

The book felt like a new one to me as I had forgotten a great deal of it over the intervening years. More recently, I had read two books from Richard Russo's "Sully" series, namely "Nobody's Fool" and "Somebody's Fool". I noticed many similarities between these novels and their forerunner, "Empire Falls". Clearly, Russo has a penchant for writing about characters residing in depressed, blue-collar small towns. I also observed striking resemblances in the personalities and jobs he assigned to his characters. Just as Sully was an alcoholic and unreliable father, so was Max Roby, Miles' father in "Empire Falls". I found that town bars and diners held central positions in all of the books. Female characters, as well as male characters, were written in certain characteristic ways. Some adults seemed immature and juvenile.

What disappointed me in this second reading of "Empire Falls" was the preponderance of sociopathic characters driving the plot. These characters include Mrs. Whiting, who owns 90% of the town's industry and delights in manipulating its citizens. She calls Miles "Dear Boy" but harbors malevolent plans for him. Then there is Jimmy Minty, Miles' next-door neighbor who grew up with him. He was often mean to Miles as a boy and grew up to be a corrupt cop. Zack Minty, Jimmy's son, is following in his father's footsteps. He is interested in being Tick's boyfriend but does not treat her well and is also a bully. John Voss, who was abused by his drug-dealing parents as a younger child, is a classmate of Tick's. He is mute, brooding, and frightening, and has become the target of school bullies.

So, sociopathy takes center stage in the book, something I would have preferred to have a lesser role. However, I can vividly visualize the town and the characters due to the author's writing prowess. On the strength of Russo's writing, I am awarding the book 4 stars.

Here is an example of why Russo's writing is irresistible. This is a quote by Miles Roby, who had been an altar boy in the Catholic Church. “It pleased him to imagine God as someone like his mother, someone beleaguered by too many responsibilities, too dog-tired to monitor an energetic boy every minute of the day, but who, out of love and fear for his safety, checked in on him whenever she could. … Surely God must have other projects besides Man, just as parents had responsibilities other than raising their children?”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Note to self: No more books with such tiny print!!

In this captivating and quiet novel, Richard Russo transports us to the charming small town of Empire Falls in Maine.

He weaves a rich tapestry of the town's history and the lives of its diverse inhabitants, skillfully interspersed with numerous flashbacks.

At first glance, Empire Falls may seem like an ordinary place, with neither the town nor its people initially appearing particularly interesting. Day in and day out, the same mundane activities unfold, making life there seem rather uniform and perhaps even a bit dull.

However, as we delve deeper into the story, Russo's unique writing style, which is both lively and calm, gradually draws us into the heart of the community. We begin to see that beneath the surface, there are a few truly endearing individuals, but also a fair share of rather unlikable characters who we can't help but wish ill upon.

Moreover, as the story progresses, more and more secrets start to emerge from beneath the monotonous and boring exterior. These revelations force us to reevaluate our initial judgments of almost every character in the book.

Towards the end of the novel, a series of shocking events occur that completely change the complexion of the story. We are left wondering how we could have ever thought that Empire Falls was a boring place.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and rate it with 4.5 stars, which I have no hesitation in rounding up. It is a truly engaging and thought-provoking read that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

I'm not a professional book editor in the true sense. I just pretend to be one when I'm at home. However, if Mr. Russo had availed my services, this book would probably be 100 pages thinner.

The book is nearly 500 pages long, but that's not the crucial issue. I've read epic novels like Lonesome Dove and stared at the final page, thinking, "Is this the end?" I'm a fast and eager reader, yet I felt like a year of my life, or what seemed like a year, passed while reading this novel.

And what's with the italicized backstories? Every time I came across another tediously long italicized passage, I felt like Pavlov's dog, licking my arm until it bled just to remind myself that I was still alive.

Seriously, when my husband proposed to me, I knew far less about his backstory than I did about any character in this novel, and yet I married him. We don't need to know every character's grocery list or that Janine has to buy paper towels on her way home. Heck, I need to buy paper towels on my way home too, and I wish I didn't know that about myself.

So, why did I give it four stars? There are two main reasons. Mr. Russo is a master of plot, which often confounds and overwhelms modern novel writers. Moreover, he writes incredibly believable dialogue and characters.

The intricate and well-developed plot, along with the quirky and real characters of this novel, were like flotation devices that carried me to the end.

Empire Falls is not a book that I would have randomly selected on my own. However, it was highly recommended to me, so I placed a hold on the audiobook at my local library. And finally, it became available for me to listen to.

This turned out to be a truly wonderful book, and Ron McLarty is an outstanding narrator. I really can't add much more to what hundreds of other people have already said about it. All I can say is that I thoroughly enjoyed this story. In this tale, not much seems to actually happen on the surface. But despite that, by the end of it, I felt as if I knew every single person in this town on a very intimate level. It's a book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great read that offers a deep and engaging look into the lives of ordinary people in a small town.

The characters in Empire Falls are so well-developed that they seem to come alive right before your ears. McLarty's narration brings them to life in a way that makes you feel as if you are actually there, walking the streets of Empire Falls and getting to know these people. The story may not be filled with action and excitement, but it is filled with heart and authenticity. It's a book that will stay with you long after you've finished listening to it.

So, if you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and think, then Empire Falls is definitely the one for you. Give it a try and see for yourself why so many people have fallen in love with this wonderful story.