Empire Falls

By: Richard Russo

Narrated by: Ron McLarty

Length: 20 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Richard Russo - from his first novel, Mohawk, to his most recent, Straight Man - has demonstrated a peerless affinity for the human tragicomedy, and with this stunning new novel he extends even further his claims on the small-town, blue-collar heart of the country.

Dexter County, Maine, and specifically the town of Empire Falls, has seen better days, and for decades, in fact, only a succession from bad to worse. One by one, its logging and textile enterprises have gone belly-up, and the once vast holdings of the Whiting clan (presided over by the last scion’s widow) now mostly amount to decrepit real estate. The working classes, meanwhile, continue to eke out whatever meager promise isn’t already boarded up.

Miles Roby gazes over this ruined kingdom from the Empire Grill, an opportunity of his youth that has become the albatross of his daily and future life. Called back from college and set to work by family obligations - his mother ailing, his father a loose cannon - Miles never left home again. Even so, his own obligations are manifold: a pending divorce; a troubled younger brother; and, not least, a peculiar partnership in the failing grill with none other than Mrs. Whiting. All of these, though, are offset by his daughter, Tick, whom he guides gently and proudly through the tribulations of adolescence.

A decent man encircled by history and dreams, by echoing churches and abandoned mills, by the comforts and feuds provided by lifelong friends and neighbors, Miles is also a patient, knowing guide to the rich, hardscrabble nature of Empire Falls: fathers and sons and daughters, living and dead, rich and poor alike. Shot through with the mysteries of generations and the shattering visitations of the nation at large, it is a social novel of panoramic ambition, yet at the same time achingly personal. In the end, Empire Falls reveals our worst and best instincts, both our most appalling nightmares and our simplest hopes, with all the vision, grace and humanity of truly epic storytelling.

©2001 Richard Russo (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"In a warmhearted novel of sweeping scope.... Russo follows up his rollicking academic satire, Straight Man (1997), with a return to the blue-collar melieu featured in his first three novels and once again shows an unerring sense of the rhythms of small-town life, balancing his irreverent, mocking humor with unending empathy for his characters and their foibles" ( Booklist)

Wonderful Story/Great Narration!

Having been a fan of Anne Tyler and when a female friend told me about Richard—and remembering that I loved the movie, Nobody’s Fool, taken from one of Richard’s books, I knew I would enjoy his works. After I read Empire Falls and having been a New Englander (i.e., from Lexington, Massachusetts up to age 22), I related to all the characters and the physical environment having been to my mother’s summer residence in Ogunquit, Maine, when I was an adult.

What amazed me was how GREAT a story, that was a Pulitzer Prize winner was (having been disappointed in them in the past)! It could have gone on further...but alas, it had to end sometime. Not only was it extremely enjoyable but...the narration by Ron McLarty was over the top playing a number of male and female characters wonderfully and diversely!

One of the most enjoyable books, ever!

Aloha!

Excellent Listen

This was my first Richard Russo book. Listening to it made the characters come to life. And such deep, complex people. I found myself enthralled to the lives described. And the way the author unravels their intricacies is wonderful. Loved it!

Pulitzer Prize well deserved

Every book written by Richard Russo have been excellent. About simple everyday life, and folks we all recognize, yet every phrase turns your head.

Fine wine for the soul. Savor every word.

Sip swirl and breath. Repeat. Recharge your soul with this as from a glass dark and deep with all the beautiful truths and failures of being human.

Whoa

This book was pretty awesome. It was full of intrigue and drama. It was also full of wit and humor. It was a very wonderful thought provoking book. I'm glad I got the chance to read it and I fully recommend it!

Good one

My 3rd Russo book , Nobody’s fool - Awesome!! and Chances Are umm great writing, didn’t like the characters.
Much Like Nobody’s Fool this book does take a few chapters to get into the characters, but they’re likable . In short I liked these guys and enjoyed hanging out with them for 20+ hours .
Also I love this Narrator, great work ! The story was a bit Like SK - Bag of Bones but different enough. Good story Enjoy !!

Exceptionally fine performance

What a wonderful book. How did I miss this classic when it came out? I'm now a bona fide Russo fan for his vivid, true to life small-town characters. Ron McLarty gives an amazing performance with different voices and characterizations of all the main characters. No one could have brought Russo's characters more to life. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Good story about about LIFE IN A SMALL TOWN.

I read this book several years ago and liked it. I liked it as much or more the second time around.

Where is the producer?!

A fabulous book - my review is on Good reads. But jeeez where is the producer or editor or whatever who could edit out every time the narrator wet his mouth or swallowed?! He did a fabulous job with Max particularly. But it was so annoying to listen to him constantly wet his mouth- seems that could be edited out!!!!

wonderful.

Beautiful weave of tales about lives partially lived in a unique yet familiarize small town. Every character seems to benefit and suffer through the combined beauty and horrors of life in that same small town. Very enjoyable and satisfying narration of a most worthy listen or read.