Empire Falls

De: Richard Russo

Narrado por: Ron McLarty

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

Reseñas de la Crítica

"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)

Lively narration interesting story woven threads

I like this one a lot. I'm working my way through the pulitzer Prize winners . This a wonderful Vue into the lives of the different characters twisting and turning it's fun

Solid Storytelling

Great solid novel. Interesting and developed characters. It’s well paced, has depth, humor and substance.

Wonderful story, great narration, garbage audio

This is a magnificent book. Whoever recorded the audio must have used two different mix engineers. One who has an ear and one who thinks compressing the voiceover into a crunchy mess. One chapter sounds great. The next terrible. And back and forth.

Wow. Fantastic book

I learned of this book, after reading an article in Vanity Fair regarding Ivanka Trump. In the article it was mentioned that she did not want to discuss or read this book because it was about poor people. That peaked my interest I therefore looked for it on audible. I can see why the book won the Pulitzer Prize. The writing, the narrative, the plots and subplots kept my interest for the entire duration of the book. I found it important to really pay attention to all the details at the beginning of the book as they became quite significant by the end of the book.
The narrator was excellent. He was able to change his voice according to the different characters. Even had a pretty good Maine accent when appropriate.

I will probably find that the next book I listen to will be a bit of a letdown compared to this one. I give it my highest rating.

Wonderful characters

An interesting story that we’ve together the lives of many interesting characters. Best book I’ve read in a while.

Engaging, Absorbing

A great story about a place and time as much as about a person or people. That said, you get to know the main characters very well--and care about them.

The book is more character driven than plot driven but the story it tells is a good one. Russo's writing is clear and descriptive and he displays empathy for the residents of Empire Falls. His fictional world feels real.

Ron McLarty does an exceptional job narrating this book. Each character has a different voice and he rarely stumbles or confuses them. He doesn't necessarily "impersonate" each character, but changes his voice just enough. I especially enjoyed his version of Max Roby.

Empire Falls is worth a visit.

Would you consider the audio edition of Empire Falls to be better than the print version?

I've never read the printed version but the audio was well narrated.

What other book might you compare Empire Falls to and why?

Hmmm...None really come to mind that are too similar. Maybe The Shipping News by Annie Proulx.

What about Ron McLarty’s performance did you like?

I thougt he portrayed the characters well, especially Walt. Good comedy relief.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The fight scene with Jimmy Minty was pretty entertaining.

Any additional comments?

Nice writing and fairly believable characters. I'm steadily becoming a Richard Russo fan.

A truly great read.

Would you listen to Empire Falls again? Why?

Just when you think you know where the story is going, the author comes along, gives you more information, and heads off in another direction. I am tempted to listen again - now knowing "the full" story, would like to listen to the events from this new vantage point. How you understand a situation is based on what you know of the characters and their past - so adding new information as the author does, changes your perspective and your sympathies. A book that truly can be read (and enjoyed) multiple times.

great book, great writer

Where does Empire Falls rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

one of the best books, he tells a good story i had not listened to this in years, yet still could not stop listening

If you could take any character from Empire Falls out to dinner, who would it be and why?

miles, I think we would have a lot in common

Any additional comments?

good book

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!