Empire Falls

Rating:
Summary: A good novel for summer reading
Review: Empire Falls could be the name of a city (this one is in Maine), a part of a river, or a complete sentence describing the end of one of New England's industrial empires. In Richard Russo's fifth novel, it is all three. With a scope broader than in earlier novels, Russo weaves a fabric of plot and character that is intellectually satisfying and richly enjoyable. He moves beyond his usual nostalgia for small-town life and takes on some of America's most troubling, modern issues, including school violence. Yet, for those of us who have loved Russo from his earliest days in Mohawk, it is also satisfying to have him return to his strongest images and best character types. The old people, who were so lovable in his early novels, are back. The shiftless drunks with a ready scheme and light touch are back. The middle age man going nowhere is back. And, best of all, the diner is back! Russo does have one major flaw -- he doesn't write fast enough. Now we will have to wait another coupe of years for his next book.

Rating:
Summary: Russo is Back
Review: I am a diehard Russo fan. Having said that, while I enjoyed "Straight Man", his last book, I thought it paled compared to his earlier works and lacked their depth of both story and character. With "Empire Falls", Russo has returned to the form which I believe makes him one of our best writers. This book demonstrates his compassion for his characters and their lives. He draws you in to their community and makes you feel a part of it. There is never a false sentence. As with his earlier books, especially "Risk Pool" and "Nobody's Fool", the town in question(Empire Falls) and the people who live there feel like places I've been and people I've known. He is a wonderful storyteller who manages to be extraordinarily entertaining without losing the credibility necessary to not only entertain, but to inspire and enlighten as well.

Rating:
Summary: the last word on small towns
Review: I've always enjoyed Russo, and delighted to see a new episode of life in Maine. But this book, so very different, has characters I will never forget. Russo writes men so very well, and yet he does what many contemporary authors cannot do: also write well in the other gender. It's a book to stay up late at nite, just to find out what happens in this person's life or the next one; who will survive, who will leave the town, what will happen to the "Grill", etc. A delight that touches the heart and mind.

Rating:
Summary: Bonza!
Review: Chomping through parts of America via quality fiction is one of my favorite hobbies as an ex-patriot American in Australia.

I have enjoyed all of Russo's books and think my favorite Russo is always the one I have just finished.

Empire Falls lived up to all of my expectations. I thought the characters to be real, appealing, strongly developed and inspiring of empathy. A very satisfying ending with strong pathos and humour throughout the pages. Thanks Richard!

Rating:
Summary: More pleasure from Richard Russo
Review: I have become a dediciated fan of Richard Russo, having started with Straight Man, which I recently read for the second time, then The Risk Pool and now Empire Falls. He amazes me with his ability to be at once very funny and poignant and I find his life observations touching. By the way, I attended a reading yesterday and meeting Mr. Russo only served to confirm that I am reading some very good books written by a very nice guy.

Rating:
Summary: Literate and compelling
Review: Richard Russo writes in intricate layers with likable heroes. His writing and characterizations are flawless in my opinion. I enjoyed every moment of this journey through the eyes of Miles and felt a little lost when I finished reading the book. Its always hard to start something new when you read a novel of this calibre.

Rating:
Summary: Characters and Setting Ring True
Review: As a central Mainer, I can attest that Russo's setting and characters are the real deal. He captures the dying mill town and social strata perfectly. I couldn't put the book down. I felt like I was reading nonfiction.

Rating:
Summary: Boring--Not nearly up to par with his other books.
Review: I looked forward to reading this book, and I kept waiting for it to get better....it did at page 423 for the next 50 pages only.

Perhaps Russo spoiled me with Sully in Nobody's Fool but the main character in this book, Miles, is everything that Sully isn't.

Rating:
Summary: Russo does it again!
Review: This master of the humorous/dark/blue-collar novel delivers again with a slice-of-life story that introduces some of his finest characters. Russo has a wonderful way of making us hate the bad guys while understanding that they have some little spark of humanity, and loving the good guys even though we see all too clearly their shortcomings! Laugh out loud, and smile with sympathy as you visit EMPIRE FALLS.

Rating:
Summary: lovely, sometimes slow
Review: I agree with the reviewer who said that this is a good book, not a great one. It's sweet and amicable but not always compelling. I'm also in huge agreement with the assessment of Brady Udall's THE MIRACLE LIFE OF EDGAR MINT. Empire Falls reminds me of Udall's book in a lot of ways, but it's not as compelling or heartbreaking or laugh out loud funny. Edgar Mint is character who is indelible, who simply can't be forgotten. Russo characters, while real and loveable and spiteful in their own ways, don't make quite the same impression.