Reviews

Empire Falls by Richard Russo

lulumoss's review against another edition

4.0

I wanted to like it, so that helps. I knew it was a slow-moving story, not light and fun and action-packed, and that was just right for my mood. But there was just too much casual, gratuitous animal cruelty in it. Nothing too gross, if you’re triggered by that sort of thing… well, maybe one part, but it’s short. But NONE of it is necessary to the story and in fact all of the animal references could have been left out altogether.

It’s definitely not for everyone.

hannah1787's review against another edition

5.0

Of all his books, this one spoke to me the most. Russo is smart and interesting, and his characters are well thought out and seem like real people. I really enjoyed it.

erdomi's review against another edition

sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

jasonheffron's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

maxm17's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

murph_the_serf's review against another edition

2.0

Honestly, it'd be a 1.5 if GoodReads allowed half stars. It's not written poorly, but 95% of this book is maddeningly dull, and then the final few chapters spiral into absolute lunacy. How did this win the Pulitzer?!

ulrikworm's review against another edition

dark funny sad medium-paced

3.75

maryanneross's review against another edition

5.0

I have a new goal to read as many of the more modern Pulitzer Prize winning pieces of fiction. How I missed this when it was first published, I'll never know. Rich, cleverly crafted characters and a town that is a character itself, make for an absorbing read with intricately woven subplots.

kirstenrose22's review against another edition

4.0

I did like this book, which is a slow-moving portrait of a dying New England mill town. I loved the characters (and a few, I loved to hate). But the ending is shoddily done - the high school plotline climaxes in a way that seems misplaced (like someone transplanted a few pages from another book) and after the characters deal with that crisis they seem to be return to.... a status quo that existed before the main action of the novel. Boo. Still, brilliant writing and great characters and nicely done narration.

birdwatching's review against another edition

4.0

Great cast of characters help to depict a small town, that anyone raised in a small town will instantly feel affinity with. Really gripping twist at the end. There are a lot of themes that twist through the book, from the metaphor of trying to control the flow of a river, to the complicated love of family, and the frustration of dreams. I had a few issues with the female characters (aside from the daughter) but since most were archetypes anyway I think it is possible to move past that and still get a huge amount of enjoyment out of the book.