Empire Falls
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Empire Falls
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Narrated by:
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Ron McLarty
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By:
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Richard Russo
About this listen
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 AudioListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
What listeners say about Empire Falls
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- I. M. Forrest
- 30-08-20
A slow burner
But eventually it got me hooked to the point that I longed for a sequel.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Miss H S Connolly
- 10-10-23
Genius
By far my favourite author for years. Can’t get enough of him and his amazing characters
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Yorkie
- 04-08-21
amazing listen
loved this, narrator was excellent, story was great, so many ups n downs, side stories etc
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- hfffoman
- 27-08-14
A delight from beginning to end
Any additional comments?
This is my third Richard Russo novel and all three have been a delight from start to finish. Although mildly comedic, if you took away the funny side you would still have a moving drama full of sadness and realism.
I notice with Richard Russo that about once a page, maybe more, I encounter a sentence that is so perfect it makes me smile, usually an observation that is accurate, witty and beautifully phrased. I was sorry when I reached the end.
At first I didn't like the voice but by the end I felt it was perfect for the book. He uses a terrific range of dialogue voices that really brings the characters to life.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- peter
- 19-09-20
Ron McLarty was made for these stories...
I'm a fan of the easy story telling Russo creates in his books... stories of everyday people sometimes overlooked by it other writers.. Ron McLarty is a great narrator and a perfect match for this kind of storytelling.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- zomodo
- 26-04-12
Recommended
Another pleasant, warm and gently funny book about the relationships and personalities of a small town. I enjoyed this as much as Nobody's Fool. Well Recommended
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 21-02-22
The feeling of falling is most profound.
I feel as though I should have enjoyed this book. Sadly this is not the case. I was quite relieved once it was over, having been left with a dull depression.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- J Salisbury
- 22-06-22
Good story but…
This file has sound issues. It keeps going quiet and muffled in certain chapters. Think audible needs to redo this one.
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