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A review by kessler21
Empire Falls by Richard Russo
3.0
Empire Falls is a small, dilapidated town in Maine. The whole town is owned by one lady, Mrs White. Miles Roby, who runs a grill owned by Mrs. White, is getting a divorce because his wife left him for the fit, older, obnoxious gym owner. His daughter is trying to cope with all of this along with her own school problems. Miles brother is a recovering rebel who works at the grill with him.
This story reminds me of [b:A Spool of Blue Thread|22501028|A Spool of Blue Thread|Anne Tyler|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1451435883s/22501028.jpg|41711673] but instead of just a family dynamic, its a whole town that is plagued by the decisions of each member and the decisions of the past.
I didn't like any character. At time I felt for Miles but overall it feels as if Russo tried so hard not to make his characters one dimensional that he made them all too imperfect. I didn't like the portrayal of women and the fact that almost everyone in the town has been or is getting a divorce and then the story seemed to stand still at times. I felt as if this has been discussed before. Russo built his relationships then went back and rebuilt them again and again.
It was okay and I think the problems with Miles daughter were powerful but ended in an unbelievable way.
I would vote for this book to be cut in half or at least by a third. Not horrible, buy not great.
This story reminds me of [b:A Spool of Blue Thread|22501028|A Spool of Blue Thread|Anne Tyler|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1451435883s/22501028.jpg|41711673] but instead of just a family dynamic, its a whole town that is plagued by the decisions of each member and the decisions of the past.
I didn't like any character. At time I felt for Miles but overall it feels as if Russo tried so hard not to make his characters one dimensional that he made them all too imperfect. I didn't like the portrayal of women and the fact that almost everyone in the town has been or is getting a divorce and then the story seemed to stand still at times. I felt as if this has been discussed before. Russo built his relationships then went back and rebuilt them again and again.
It was okay and I think the problems with Miles daughter were powerful but ended in an unbelievable way.
I would vote for this book to be cut in half or at least by a third. Not horrible, buy not great.