Richard Russo - Empire Falls: Premio Pulitzer 2002

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...

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...

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...

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...

Pros: Simple, subtle

Cons: Lacks originality and depth

The Bottom Line: In short, I was uninspired by this book. I thought it mediocre at best. Definitely not what I had hoped for from a Pulitzer Prize winner.

Review: Empire Falls is a book filled with cliches and trite rockwellian depictions of small town life. I found the characters dull and the story less than compelling. Maybe I?ve set my standards too high. Maybe I need to be less cynical. Maybe I...

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...

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: Brilliant writing by the Pulitzer winning master.

Cons: Lots of Profanity. No plot or action. Too long (length).

The Bottom Line: This was a USA Today Book Club pick--one of their first choices. The novel has some of the funniest, quirkiest and most off-beat characters you'll ever meet.

Review: "Well I was born in a small town
And I live in a small town
Prob'ly die in a small town
Oh, those small communities

All my friends are so small town
My parents live in the same small town
My job is so small town...

Pros: Life-like characters; solid writing.

Cons: Slow pace; no real plot.

The Bottom Line: A fabulous way to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon.

Review: I'll admit it: I was stunned to discover that I really liked Richard Russo's Empire Falls in spite of the fact that...well, let's face not mince words here: it's a slow book.

But I think that's where the beauty in this book...

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...