Renaissance Readers: "Empire Falls" by Richard Russo

Renaissance Readers meet at 10:00 am on the second Tuesday of each month.

This month's book selection is Empire Falls by Richard Russo.

Empire Falls is a poignant, Pulitzer Prize-winning novel set in a fading blue-collar town marked by abandoned mills and enduring relationships. Amid the quiet struggles and small triumphs of its citizens, humor and hope surface in the most unexpected places.

At the heart of the story is Miles Roby, who has spent two decades running the Empire Grill—a job that cost him his college dreams and much of his self-worth. What keeps him tethered to this life? Maybe it’s his thoughtful daughter, Tick, who needs his steady presence to navigate high school. Maybe it’s Janine, his soon-to-be ex-wife, now entangled with a vain health-club owner. Or perhaps it’s Francine Whiting, the formidable town matriarch who owns nearly everything in Empire Falls—and seems to believe Miles is part of her holdings.

With warmth, wit, and emotional depth, Richard Russo delves into the soul of working-class America, crafting a story that resonates with heartache, resilience, and grace.

Any interested reader is invited to join the discussion!