Week 3- Entry B

Dear Richard Russo,

Your book was absolutely fantastic! While I was reading, I felt the character's happiness and pain along with them and felt like I was actually in Empire Falls. The book was very realistic and had an ending that actually made sense in today's world. It didn't end happily ever after, but it wasn't a downer of an ending either. I suppose that's how life really works. You get dealt some crappy cards along with the good ones. You can't have a winning hand every time. I still felt a little bit less pleased with the book after finishing it however. I think I just wanted a happy go lucky end to Empire Falls, but it didn't deliver. I do admit that the book all in all was wonderful, but when I finished, I just wasn't in the mood to read anything depressing. Sometimes the beauty of books is that they take you out of our world and put you in a better one, but Empire Falls did the opposite. While reading I just felt more and more sad.

I had high hopes for John Voss, but he disappointed me by making poor decisions. He obviously can't be solely blamed for his social awkwardness and being in generally royally messed up, but I still wanted the best for him. After reading about his past and the way he dealt with his grandmother, I have to admit I cried. I don't like contemplating the existence of anyone that sad in the world, but I suppose those sorts of people are out there. How did you ever come up with such horrifying details to John's life. I don't think I could have come up with anything so unpleasant. Avoiding the news and reading sad books helps me keep up these mildly pleasant thoughts, so I wonder what sort of stuff are you reading?

I am also sad because Miles never got to live the life he truly wanted. It was truly disconcerting to read about Miles dream when he was back at the Vineyard. His dream was obviously a representation of his subconscious mind. How can anyone live their life believing that they killed their mother?

I wonder about what Tick's future will be like. Miles says he will make sure that she gets out of Empire Falls and doesn't carry on the business of the grill, but isn't that a lot like what Grace said? Are you saying that the tradition of staying in Empire Falls will carry on, or are you suggesting that Tick will overcome her family's problems and get out of that little town? I hope that it's the latter. I can't imaging Tick being confined to Empire Falls for the rest of her life!

Thank you for such a great book! I think I may try reading some of your other books as well. It may be a while though. I need to recuperate by reading some happier books!