About this title: In Richard Russo's lengthy fifth novel--this one set in a small Maine town--the Empire Grill provides the focus for the town's inhabitants, who include Miles Roby, who manages the place; Francine Whiting, the wealthy woman who owns it; Jimmy the cop; and Miles's large, eccentric, and often comic extended family. Many plots intertwine as the townsfolk are revealed in all their odd vulnerability, and Miles surveys them all from behind the counter of the grill. A New York Times Notable Book for 2001.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Vintage Books USA
Date Published: 2005
ISBN-13:9780307275134ISBN:0307275132
Description: Fine. No dust jacket as issued. Like new. very light corner touches. No marks. Tight, square book. No spine creases. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 496 p. Vintage Contemporaries (Paperback). Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Date Published: 2001
ISBN-13:9780679432470ISBN:0679432477
Description: Very good in good dust jacket. Clean pgs, no marks or tears, except red mark on bottom outside pg edges & blck mark on top outside pg edges, dirt soiling to dj & lightly to outside pg edges, back dj stif cornrs/edgs bumpd, small rip top cover spine... Sewn binding. paper over boards, cloth over spine. With dust jacket. 496 p. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Vintage Books USA
Date Published: 2001
ISBN-13:9780375726408ISBN:0375726403
Description: Good. No dust jacket as issued. Nice soft cover, lightly read, light shelf wear to cover, light creases on spine, bend on corners of cover, stk #2382j7. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 496 p. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Vintage Books USA
Date Published: 2001
ISBN-13:9780375726408ISBN:0375726403
Description: Good. No dust jacket as issued. Nice soft cover, lightly read, shelf wear to cover, light creases on spine, bend on corners of front cover & first few pages, stk #2377t7. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 496 p. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Vintage Books USA
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780375726408ISBN:0375726403
Description: Good. No dust jacket as issued. Slight cover and edgewear. No spine creasing. Pages unmarked. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 496 p. Audience: General/trade. read more
"There is something about the town of Empire Falls. While vibrant and currentally afloat, the reader has the feeling in the back of their throat that this town is slowly dying. Its businesses are slowly folding, it's people stuck on the side of the river of life. Everything is just sitting, slowly building up and then deteriorating. This inner feeling is one of many that make Empire Falls one of the most gripping and thrilling, yet undeniably relatable and realistic novels I have read ever. The characters are stuck between their future and their past without being aware of the baggage they carry and the release they hav coming for them."
"The book is overflowing with symbolism, and was very interesting to analyze. Power and control are a big motif, and the symbolism of the river is used throughout the book. The plot really picks up about three fourths of the way through, and I couldn't put it down. The lives of the small town characters are filled with scandal, affairs, murders, and mysteries. There are a lot of characters to keep track of which can get a little confusing. I found it a little boring for the first half at least, but if you can tough out the boring beginning the end is really good. Also, never see the movie, its awful and like ten hours long."
"Charming. Empire Falls is about the quirks and difficulties of small town life. The main character is Miles Roby, an intelligent but unsuccessful man stuck in the town of Empire Falls and its dreary life.
I think the two main strengths are its characters and its symbols. Some characters are quite funny, such as the dad, and some are sinister, but all are believable and interesting. I appreciated the role of every character.
Russo did a great job placing random as symbols. They really do add meaning to the later parts, and make it all the more interesting."
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