Empire Falls

By: Richard Russo
Richard Russo deservedly won the Pulitzer for this book about the residents of a small town in Maine. My usual literary connection to Maine is through the eyes of Stephen King. Needless to say Russo's Maine is quite different but no less compelling. In a dying factory town the characters struggle to get by in a story revolving around Miles Roby and his family. Through present day and flashbacks we see Miles's struggle to escape a small town life.
Coming from a smallish city in a rural area I can relate. When you first leave it is a fight to stay away. It always seems as if something is conspiring to suck you back in. I think most people stay in those situations because it's the easy thing to do. It's harder to make life work without a support system, and hometowns usually have that in abundance. It's sad to see Miles fall back into Empire Falls over his mother's illness when she fought so hard for him to get out. But when he finally sees how much she really sacrificed for him it affects him enough to change up his own life to secure his daughter's future.
Today we live in an age where communication is faster than ever and I think it's going to become easier and easier for people to break their molds. Amen to that.