As Jordyn Flows

Addition

[ Having read a few novels for my summer reading, I decided to write a book review on Richard Russo's Empire Falls. This  was my first english paper after returning from an eight week hiatus from writing. Hopefully, my writing is not too rusty].

Empire Falls is a place filled with secrets and mysterious pasts. Many secrets in Empire Falls are connected between each character. Author Richard Russo does not solve the conflicts for his readers. He skillfully drops vague hints in characters memories throughout the novel. Therefore it was up to me to add clues and reach conclusions which made reading this book an exciting experience. The experience of Empire Falls is enriching and engaging because the characters and I were answering these questions together. This unfolding story focuses on the developing relationships between the citizens, their distinct presence, and reputations in the town. Empire Falls appears to be the quintessential suburbia. However, do not jump to conclusions because life in Empire Falls is anything but typical.

The book is centered on the Empire Grill, which is managed by a lovable father and recently divorced Miles Roby. Usually you can find Miles serving coffee and overhearing debates between frequent locals at the grill. Miles has been working at Empire Grill since he was seventeen. Miles regrets the path his life has taken since he “never aspired to feeding other professors twice-cooked noodles for a living” (102). Clearly, Miles’s life has taken an unexpected path. I sympathize with Miles because he has done everything in his will to avoid living in Empire Falls. Miles is stuck in Empire Falls despite his efforts to finish college or accomplish things he had “aspired” to do.

 Life is unpleasant for the new bachelor, considering his ex-wife Janine left him for a meathead, who is a regular customer at the Empire Grill. However, Miles is more disappointed than heartbroken since he settles for safety instead of love. His marital problems clearly represent the way he lives his life: He fears taking risks. Instead, Miles needs to make his own decisions as well as create his own change. Miles’s need for security prevents him from experiencing any spontaneity. Thus he lacks “personal evolution.” Unfortunately, this stops Miles from living his aspirations such as his desire to move to Martha’s Vineyard.  Ms. Whiting, the owner of most of the property and the grill in Empire Falls, has a leash around Miles’s neck. You have to wonder if self-righteous Miles will ever break free from Ms. Whiting and take control of his destiny. I found it frustrating that the most telling example of Miles’s assertion was deciding the breakfast special at the Empire Grill.  

There are multiple perspectives in Empire Falls since the story is narrated by a different character in each chapter. It is almost as though the novel is compromised of many small diaries that give insight to the feelings, conflicts, and experiences of each character. The character development in this novel is exceptional as a result of Russo’s ability to create a distinct voice for each protagonist. Young readers can easily relate to Miles’s daughter, Tick, and her teenage insecurities. Her status at high school is at stake when the principal asks her to befriend a loner. This might seem like an after-school special, yet it serves as the primary theme throughout the novel, which is each individual’s status in Empire Falls. Tick is asked to acknowledge John Voss’s presence since no one else ever does. As a result of her father’s status as a warm man, the principal associates this attribute to Tick. Will Tick ignore the judgments about her association with John despite the public opinion of his loser status?

Furthermore, there is humor in each of the character’s concerns, such as Janine’s contemplation of her previous marriage versus her future one. She struggles in her evaluation of what is worth more: an intellectual man or an incredible sex life. After her first marriage ends, Janine loses a considerable amount of weight and fixates on her new physique. She possesses a superficial attitude since she focuses on her external appearance instead exploring her internal feelings. The “new” Janine affects her relationship with her daughter as well as her mother, Bella. Janine and Bella share several entertaining quarrels about the advantages of a physical relationship with her future husband, Walt. Secretly, Janine is well aware that Walt is not intellectually simulating. Everyday she hopes that he will surprise her and change her mind. Nonetheless, Janine still thinks he is stupid since the man has lost every game of Jin that he has ever played. Since Janine plays this waiting game with Walt I think she is dumber than he is. As a result of her insecurities, she relies on attention from Walt and her workout regime to boost her confidence. If I were Tick I would be annoyed that my mother focused more on her appetite than me.

Russo develops characters we love to hate, like Tick’s ex-boyfriend Zach Minty. He embodies the “high school jock” both in his athleticism and jerk attitude. Coincidentally, Miles dislikes Zach for not only having dumped his daughter but more importantly because of who his father is.  Mile’s former childhood friend, Jimmy Minty, is one of the head police officers in Empire Falls. He sniffs around Empire Grill frequently. Miles is positive that Officer Minty’s constant presence is not due to his craving for donuts. Therefore, Miles questions Minty’s skepticism and wonders why he is always snooping around without a legitimate reason. In Empire Falls there are many secrets to be investigated and many characters are being used by more powerful people.

History is a reoccurring theme in the novel since each character has a connection or a past with someone else. In any case, each character’s history haunts them in Empire Falls for better or for worse. A large part of Miles’s narration is told in flashbacks to his childhood and focuses on his beloved mother. He eventually finds closure in the woman that she is and admires her kind heart. At the same time, Miles is greatly disturbed by memories of his dysfunctional family. In Empire Falls it is difficult to break free from one’s past, reputation, last name, and status at high school in 1985. Ultimately, it is history that serves as the source of conflict throughout the novel since it seems to follow Miles.

Miles is conscious of the way things work in Empire Falls and, in many ways, believes it has a corrupt hierarchy. Often Miles is expected to succumb to those with power and wealth such as Ms. Whiting. The challenge for Miles is not fulfilling the expectations that people set for him, but rather setting his own for himself. Miles’s mother worked for Ms. Whiting and was saved from her financially as a single working mother. As a result, Ms. Whiting uses this as a way to manipulate Miles; she constantly challenges his ethics that his mother instilled in him as a young boy. She has watched Miles grow up and sometimes it seems as though she is looking out for him. Overall, it is difficult to read Ms. Whiting’s intentions for Miles. Miles friend, Horace, has an accurate opinion of Ms. Whiting and her inconsistent treatment towards Miles; “You seem to have a special place in that old woman’s heart. Her treatment of you is unique in my experience. The fact that she hasn’t closed the grill down suggests just how deep her affection runs. Either that or she enjoys watching you suffer” (24). Though Ms. Whiting has a tough exterior, I genuinely believe she cares for Miles. She expresses her admiration for him by being hard on him.

While reading this book I made a similar connection between the citizens in Empire Falls and the citizens in my hometown, Cherry Hill. Sadly, the majority of the people in Cherry Hill and Empire Falls would move somewhere else if given the opportunity. In addition, the Empire Grill reminded me of Vito’s Restaurant in Cherry Hill. Whenever I go to Vito’s, the owners of the restaurant know my father’s order by memory and have a history with him. At Vito’s it is inevitable that I will see a familiar face. It can sometimes be irritating to run into people that are not your best buddies, but at the same time, it gives Cherry Hill a sense of community. As the novel progresses Miles realizes the significance of the Empire Grill and what it offers to the people: “The Empire Grill was a landmark . . .  if its residents were to remain at all hopeful about the future [they] needed the grill to survive, even if it didn’t thrive” (37).

A negative similarity that I found in Empire Falls and Cherry Hill was the circulating gossip and lack of privacy. For example, in fifth grade, my friends knew that my parents had separated before I even had the chance to tell them. My privacy was invaded and this made me infuriated. In Empire Falls, Miles explodes when Officer Minty accuses his brother of growing marijuana. David, a former drug user and alcoholic, has been sober and clean for quite a while. There is no proof that he has fallen back into old habits and no proof that Minty’s accusations hold any truth. Clearly, Minty shows a lack of respect for Miles’s family business.

Truthfully, when I first began reading Empire Falls I thought it was a decent book. As the story evolved my opinion of the book did as well. I soon became absorbed in the plot and felt like I knew the characters. Empire Falls is fun and unpredictable. It tests reader’s ability to connect the history to the present. Similar to solving a puzzle, when you are finished putting the missing pieces together, it is extremely satisfying. Russo’s characters are lovable and loathed, which create intrigue for his readers. The rotation of the characters voices provides an ever-changing plot with many twists and turns. Empire Falls test the strength of Miles Roby and many other characters. It is impossible to leave this town once you go there. Empire Falls welcomes you to its mystique. This invitation is irresistible.           

Authors Afterword: Addition

When this book review was first assigned I thought it would be easy to write. How difficult could it be? A book review requires creativity, synopsis, and above all, an opinion. In addition, a book review does not require a strong thesis. However, the process of writing about Empire Falls was very challenging. I struggled with deciding what to emphasize and what was negligible. Typically, I enjoy writing creative papers but when I began writing my book review it seemed more like an essay. In my first draft I barley incorporated personal pronouns or my opinion. As the writing process progressed I realized that these two components are vital to a book review. It is necessary in a professional book review to include analysis of characters, themes, quotes, and conflict. If the reader enjoys the book they will highlight something from the novel that would potentially spark interest in another reader. On the other hand, if a reader disliked the book they would use evidence to support their criticism.  

The design of my cover page relates to my title, Addition. It is a picture of an addition equation. This visual refers to the mathematical addition but in my book review addition is used differently. As I read the book I realized I was constantly adding all I knew in order to reach an in depth of understanding of Empire Falls. Therefore I picked the visual of a math table to create a comparison between two slightly different meanings of addition. It implies how I approached reading Empire Falls.  

Prior to handing in book review I was paranoid because I though it was lacking organization. I am not sure if there is any right way to organize a book review since it is similar to a creative paper. Still I felt like I jumped from one character to another and that there was little flow. In addition, I needed to use the word “I” a lot more. Often while writing the paper I felt awkward using “I” since I became so accustomed to avoiding it last year. My writing was structured and usually every paper I wrote had many guidelines. On the other hand, in this assignment there was more freedom to write about what I thought. My book review definitely could use more opinion and I could cut down plot summary. 

There were some things I liked in my book review as well. The title was creative and represents how I felt while reading Empire Falls. My portrayal of characters was accurate and gave a clear sense of their distinct presence in the town. In Empire Falls there were many themes but I choose to emphasize history since this related to my title. Although the structure of my paper was disorganized, at the same time it did have a sense of unity. Empire Falls was an excellent book and very different than any other novels I have read. As a result, writing this book review was a good experience.