A Pulitzer and a Rave from Me!

There's only so many times you can recommend a book to someone before you finally have to take the bull by the horns and just give the person the darn book. I think that's what Mark figured, anyhow, because after hearing all my empty promises to read "something" by Richard Russo "one of these days," he mailed me a copy of Empire Falls. So, I'm starting to think that those folks over at Pulitzer know a thing or two about good writing. Wow, can this guy write. My only knowledge of Russo was that he wrote the novel that the movie "Nobody's Fool" was based on, and I thought that the movie absolutely nailed the portrayal of a washed-up small town somewhere, anywhere, in New England or upstate New York. It's a terrific movie—perhaps Paul Newman's finest performance, in my opinion—and I'm now eager to read the book. Empire Falls treads similar ground; this time it's a formerly bustling mill and factory town along a river in Maine. Russo switches point of view from chapter to chapter—even including entire chapters in flashback—so you really get to know several of the characters by their thoughts as well as their actions and words. These are the kind of characters you think about long after the book is done, wondering how they are and what they're up to. They're that real. This is a long, meandering book, although I never once felt it dragged. Russo skillfully interweaves numerous major and minor subplots so that, toward the end, I was simultaneously itching to know what would happen and fretting that I'd soon be out of pages to read. I can't recommend this book highly enough. Thanks, Mark! (Oh, and I've added the two-disc HBO movie—also featuring Paul Newman!—to my Netflix queue, despite his mediocre review of it.)

Comments

[Debra Hamel]

Haven't read Empire Falls yet, but I have read Nobody's Fool and Straight Man (which is hysterically funny): Richard Russo is simply superb. The movie version of Nobody's Fool was indeed extremely good, but still not as good as the novel. This guy can write.

[jo]

Not to mention that many parts of it were filmed in our little town in Maine where we summah.

[Jessie]

You have to read his book "Straight Man". It's near the top of my list as far as good books I've read. I loved Empire Falls, but Straight Man was better in a different way. (in my opinion, of course). Oh, and very funny too.

[Karen]

It's on my Wish List! I'm going to force myself to wait a few months before reading another of his books, though, because I've found in the past that when I discover a new author, I tend to OD too quickly. Anne Tyler being a prime example.

[Kathryn]

Here here for Richard Russo! I'm so glad you're enjoying his writing. In my opinion, you've started with his weakest book. And I third the recommendation on Straight Man--one of my very favorite books.

[Risottogirl]

We just watched the HBO mini-series this past weekend and it was excellent. I LOVED the book - Russo is fab!

PS. Phillip Seymor Hoffman is in the series