Richard Russo - Empire Falls: Premio Pulitzer 2002

Pros: Well done character study of a small town in Maine that is falling apart.

Cons: The ending is a bit contrived, but everything else is top notch.

The Bottom Line: This one picked up a Pulitzer Prize for best novel. Excellent storytelling, characters that remain with you.

Review: I tend to avoid the mainstream bestsellers, but I had heard so many good comments about Richard Russo's Empire Falls, that when the time was right, I settled in to take it all in, and found myself immersed into the cares of a small town in Maine ...

Pros: Detailed characters, scenes and description of small town life.

Cons: Not an action story if that’s what you’re looking for.

The Bottom Line: I recommend this novel for the reader out there looking for a relaxing, slow-paced but enjoyable read.

Review: A chance for redemption: the same someone who recommended Toole’s Confederacy of Dunces to me recently recommended that I read something by Richard Russo. I had heard good things about the movie Nobody’s Fool based on the novel by Richard...

Pros: Highly entertaining; an alternately funny and tragic look at small town life.

Cons: None

The Bottom Line: Destined to become a modern classic of American fiction!

Review: Well, folks, the "fiction addiction" continues unabated.

It's been two weeks since I finished reading two wonderful novels – The Godfather and Once An Eagle. On this rainy Saturday, I scamper over to the bookstore in our local...

Pros: One of the most engaging books on tape I've listened to.

Cons: Depression set in when I realized my time at Empire Falls was finished.

The Bottom Line: This is in my top five of the best audiobooks of all time. Don't take my word for it - just listen for yourself!

Review: I recently took a trip out of town - and drove.. SIGH!! Sometimes it seems as though my life is one giant car trip. But on the bright side, I was able to finish Richard Russo's "Empire Falls" with undivided attention. That's right - I didn't watch the...

Pros: Wonderfully believable and engaging characters, elegant writing style

Cons: sometimes a bit predictable and a tad slow-moving

The Bottom Line: Absolutely wonderful read -- well written dialog, engaging characters. The pace is steady, and the story involving. Wonderful read.

Review: Empire Falls is a poignant, touching novel that follows several intricately woven characters through their everyday lives in their small Maine town.

The Plot:

Empire Falls is the story of Miles Roby, an intelligent, sensitive man...

Pros: Rich Characters; Cultural Accuracy

Cons: Ending doesn't flow from story

The Bottom Line: Anyone who has ever lived in Millinocket, Waterville, Lewiston, or any other mill town in central Maine will tell you...Russo hits this nail right on the head.

Review: I moved away from central Maine several years ago after spending the first 18 years of my life there. This book made we want to pack up the car and drive "home" just as fast as I could after reading only the first couple chapters. Russo presents an...

Pros: Delightful depiction of small-town America. Vivid characters that evoke emotion.

Cons: Ending is a bit too dramatic for the theme of the novel.

The Bottom Line: Great books make you eager to finish the book but sad when you do because you are not ready to leave the characters just yet.

Review: I have to admit that I first noticed this book because of its cover. I hadn't read anything written by Russo before. I just saw two people at a diner and a seal that said that it won the Pulitzer Prize. I didn't know what to expect, so I just dove in. I...

Pros: Entertaining and fun. The character interaction (conversations) are great!

Cons: Many of the characters are a bit on the odd side.

The Bottom Line: Not only is this book fun to read but it gives you quite a bit to think about. You'll be talking about this book for a long time.

Review: Many of the characters in this book are confronted with mid life situations in which they seem to suddenly become aware that there life (i.e. hopes & dreams) has not gone the way they intended. They start our as a young adult with a clear idea of where...

Pros: great character development, great setting development

Cons: long...but not a bad thing because of the development of story.

The Bottom Line: This book won the Prize for a reason. Great setting and Character development. This will make you think of the small town you live in.

Review: A Terrific Book This was my first book that I have read from Richard Russo. It was a terrific book with great character development along with a great development of setting. Without giving this book away I will say that the author paints a ...

Pros: Unforgettable characters populate this big, beautiful book

Cons: The pace occasionally (but only occasionally) slows to a crawl

The Bottom Line: Richard Russo has written the definitive turn-of-the-century epic novel of small-town America. This book teems with eccentricity and brilliancy.

Review: Richard Russo’s Empire Falls might just replace Larry McMurtry’s Thalia, Texas as the greatest dying town in American literature.

Like the one-stoplight community in The Last Picture Show, Russo’s fictional Maine town has seen better...