What readers think of Empire Falls, plus links to write your own review.

Richard Russo not only has the genius to understand the scope of human emotion, but the courage to be truthful about it. Russo understands, perhaps better than any other author, how much a character's faults endear us to them.

I thought this book was amazing. It was just real life, it didn't try too make any real life situation easier than it really is, it told the truth. I just couldn't put it down.

This was one of the best books I've ever read. The characters are realistic and compelling. Russo evokes in us a barage of emotions from elation to sadness. This book reminds me of another book I read "Descent into Illusions"

Just amazing! Well structured and stunning style!

Reminded me of one of my favorites, "Shipping News". Miles is a decent man but something of a loser and you can't help but be in his corner. The book was engrossing with wonderful minor characters - sad and funny, depressing and hopeful.

Loved it, gut level and that's the key. All the characters seemed real, particularly Janine, poor darling. I agree with Russo, that the father-daughter which is tender and touching is the heart of the book.

The character of Max Roby is one of the funniest to read in a long while.

Full of characters you come to love, Empire Falls remains with me many weeks after having read it. Our hero, a flawed, though decent man, tries to get through life in a town that is fading fast. He deals with a quirky father patiently, a troubled daughter, an ex-wife who seems to regret her decision to divorce, the memory of a mother with a deep secret. The surprise ending seems cut out of current headlines, and detracts from the payoff at the end. Despite this, I recommend it highly.