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shanniecakes's review against another edition
2.0
The novel progresses very slowly but concludes at a frenetic pace, which didn't bother me as I was tired of the small town melodrama by page 200. A beach-read Pulitzer.
itatemyheart2's review against another edition
5.0
Rare for a book to get five stars, but this one hits all the right spots. Russo has an eye for the details of Americana, especially the intricacies of small town life and its repercussions when we refuse to move on. Solid read and highly recommended. Don't watch the mini-series, though. Woof.
gulatiaa's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
arthoe's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sanrio912's review against another edition
4.0
Quite a read and understand why it won the Pulitzer at the time.I marked a star off for a few reasons.
First was that the ending felt very rushed in comparison to the almost 500 pages this is. I got entire chapters on characters that I didn’t really care for, just to have everything packed into honestly maybe 50 or so pages?
Second is some of the characterizations and dialogue is misogynistic, racist and xenophobic. I’m from a red state background and I’ve lived in a small coastal community (a few thousand people when not in tourist season). Some of the feelings or statements of characters were close enough that you got the point. However, some just felt a bit fancy writer making a point vs actually capturing vernacular and telling the whole truth. Janine’s character in particular was a very damaged woman turned mean girl from losing weight. Then she gains it all back. What’s the purpose? I hated her, so the portrayal of a real(ish) person was done well.
Lastly the school shooting ending in 2002 was probably much more shocking, but in 2023 it felt like a slow walk to Voss doing something horrible. The entire time it seems he was failed over and over. Now at the end he’s been declared unfit for trial. Without any lengthy insight from the rest of the cast of characters as to how it got there.
First was that the ending felt very rushed in comparison to the almost 500 pages this is. I got entire chapters on characters that I didn’t really care for, just to have everything packed into honestly maybe 50 or so pages?
Second is some of the characterizations and dialogue is misogynistic, racist and xenophobic. I’m from a red state background and I’ve lived in a small coastal community (a few thousand people when not in tourist season). Some of the feelings or statements of characters were close enough that you got the point. However, some just felt a bit fancy writer making a point vs actually capturing vernacular and telling the whole truth. Janine’s character in particular was a very damaged woman turned mean girl from losing weight. Then she gains it all back. What’s the purpose? I hated her, so the portrayal of a real(ish) person was done well.
Lastly the school shooting ending in 2002 was probably much more shocking, but in 2023 it felt like a slow walk to Voss doing something horrible. The entire time it seems he was failed over and over. Now at the end he’s been declared unfit for trial. Without any lengthy insight from the rest of the cast of characters as to how it got there.
mindthebook's review against another edition
3.0
Utkom under en tid, tidigt 00-tal, då jag tyvärr inte nöjesläste knappt alls. I baksidestexten liknas den vid Anne Tylers världar och själv tänkte jag direkt på Last Night at the Lobster av Stewart O'Nan. Eller varför inte Douglas Kennedy, om det varit lite krim.
Redan nu ser jag också fram emot att se miniserien. Kolla rollistan!
Post scriptum, en vecka senare:
Endast i kombination med TV-serien blir det här en fin upplevelse och tankar väcks om Livet. I romanen störde jag mig på gubbhumorn. Ej i Pulitzerklass precis att påpeka att the art teacher har en rejäl hylla- och då menar vi inte en hylla med konstnärsmaterial. Det är ett jäkla tjat om Miles exfru för att hon gått ner mycket i vikt. Prästgården, the rectory, kallas kärleksfullt rectum. Vidare finns det genomgående en negativ attityd mot katter. Kursiverade kapitel är också ett otyg.
Vi färdades genom många mindre orter i Maine nu och Empire Falls hade kunnat vara vilken som helst av dem.
Redan nu ser jag också fram emot att se miniserien. Kolla rollistan!
Post scriptum, en vecka senare:
Endast i kombination med TV-serien blir det här en fin upplevelse och tankar väcks om Livet. I romanen störde jag mig på gubbhumorn. Ej i Pulitzerklass precis att påpeka att the art teacher har en rejäl hylla- och då menar vi inte en hylla med konstnärsmaterial. Det är ett jäkla tjat om Miles exfru för att hon gått ner mycket i vikt. Prästgården, the rectory, kallas kärleksfullt rectum. Vidare finns det genomgående en negativ attityd mot katter. Kursiverade kapitel är också ett otyg.
Vi färdades genom många mindre orter i Maine nu och Empire Falls hade kunnat vara vilken som helst av dem.
juliet15's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
I don’t have much to say. I was expecting more due to the ‘Pulitzer prize’ emblem on the cover. I liked the writing, but found the story dull. I kept waiting for something, anything, to happen! It does finally at the end, but the action is glossed over even then. Not a bad story, just expected more.
bakerisreading's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable writing style and although not all characters were likeable, they were real and well developed. Strength, or lack thereof, in men and women, was a strong theme.
cogee87's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
blondereader's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I realize this book won a Pulitzer. I think it's because the judges thought the idea of talking about a suicide was profound. Rather, I'd say the author left out all the interesting events and focused on the boring parts. I come from a small town and thought I'd relate to this book. Instead, it's too much about Maine, which I have no connection to, and I couldn't relate. I think the author is trying to mimic the style of Sinclair Lewis, but the book falls short. I've read the other reviews and people either seem to love or hate this book. By the way, I hate the name Tick for the daughter. All I can think about is a literal tick. Gross. I'd just say "boring" and move on to the next title in my TBR pile. Skip this one.