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Empire Falls

By Richard Russo

(32)

| Hardcover | 9780679432470

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Book Description

Richard Russo—from his first novel, Mohawk, to his most recent, Straight Man—has demonstrated a peerless affinity for the human tragicomedy, and with this stunning new novel he extends even further his claims on the small-town, blue-collar heart of the country.

Dexter County, Maine, and specifically the town of Empire Falls, has seen better days, and for decades, in fact, only a succession from bad to worse. One by one, its logging and textile enterprises have gone belly-up, and the once vast holdings of the Whiting clan (presided over by the last scion’s widow) now mostly amount to decrepit real estate. The working classes, meanwhile, continue to eke out whatever meager promise isn’t already boarded up.

Miles Roby gazes over this ruined kingdom from the Empire Grill, an opportunity of his youth that has become the albatross of his daily and future life. Called back from college and set to work by family obligations—his mother ailing, his father a loose cannon—Miles never left home again. Even so, his own obligations are manifold: a pending divorce; a troubled younger brother; and, not least, a peculiar partnership in the failing grill with none other than Mrs. Whiting. All of these, though, are offset by his daughter, Tick, whom he guides gently and proudly through the tribulations of adolescence.

A decent man encircled by history and dreams, by echoing churches and abandoned mills, by the comforts and feuds provided by lifelong friends and neighbors, Miles is also a patient, knowing guide to the rich, hardscrabble nature of Empire Falls: fathers and sons and daughters, living and dead, rich and poor alike. Shot through with the mysteries of generations and the shattering visitations of the nation at large, it is a social novel of panoramic ambition, yet at the same time achingly personal. In the end, Empire Falls reveals our worst and best instincts, both our most appalling nightmares and our simplest hopes, with all the vision, grace and humanity of truly epic storytelling.

Critics

Empire Falls By Richard Russo

ichard Russo renders timely portrait of American lifeAlthough Richard Russo believes he is "essentially a comic novelist and his big, lively fifth novel, Empire Falls, is often very, very funny, we don't get around to discussing humor until our long ... (read full critics)

bookpage published on Wed, 15 Sep 2010

Empire Falls By Richard Russo

Although Richard Russo believes he is "essentially a comic novelist" and his big, lively fifth novel, Empire Falls, is often very, very funny, we don't get around to discussing humor until our long telephone conversation is almost over. "In interview ... (read full critics)

bookpage published on Tue, 14 Sep 2010

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3 Reviews

Empire Falls

This book is not only a wonderful study of small town life, with expertly crafted characters, it is the type of story that slowly creeps up on you as the book progresses, leaving you pleasantly surprised at the end with just how good it was.

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Readingrat said on Dec 20, 2008 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

Inscribed by author, "For Becky--Richard Russo."

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Becky said on Nov 10, 2008 | Add your feedback

certain moments in this book made me gasp, gauffa, and weep aloud

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Lissette 2 said on Nov 5, 2007 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

Book Details

Rating:
(32)
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English Books
Hardcover 496 Pages
Edition: 1st ed
ISBN-10: 0679432477
ISBN-13: 9780679432470
Publisher: Knopf
Pub date: May 08, 2001
Also available as: Paperback, Audio Cassette, School & Library Binding and Others
In other languages: other languages Livres Français, Libros en Español, Libri Italiani, Nederlandse Boeken