Richard Russo: American Author Challenge

Richard Russo is an American novelist, short story writer, screenwriter, and teacher. He was born in Johnstown, New York, in 1949 and raised in nearby Gloversville. His father left the family when Russo was still a boy, and troubled relationships between fathers and sons haunt many of his novels. A lot of his books, are set in the fictional town of Mohawk, which also has an economy based on tanneries.
His novel Empire Falls, won the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. He currently lives in Boston and Maine.

**This is part of our American Author Challenge 2016. This author will be read in February. The general discussion thread can be found right here:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/209611

When I read Empire Falls, about a decade ago, I thought I would read everything he wrote, but sadly I derailed. This is giving me the perfect opportunity to kick-start my biblio-relationship with Mr. Russo. I plan on reading Straight Man. I would love to bookhorn in 2, but we will have to see...

What is everyone else reading?

I have Empire Falls and Bridge of Sighs on my shelves, thus on the February reading agenda. The first is a Pulitzer Prize winner, so two challenges are met by one read. Didn't know Nobody's Fool was a Russo creation; loved the movie with Newman, Willis, and Griffith.

Glad you have your Russo read's lined up, Bill. There was an HBO mini-series, of Empire Falls too, with another excellent performance by Paul Newman. I wonder if that show can be tracked down?

I'm in. I have Empire Falls.

Yippee!!

I am a fan of Russo from way back. His early novels - Mohawk and Risk Pool - are set in an area of upstate New York near where I grew up. I read them both when I was a teenager and should probably re-visit them as I have very little recollection of them. I do remember quite vividly reading Straight Man - it was August of 1997, and I had just returned to college for my sophomore year. That book is hilarious - it's more than just funny but the humor is really well done. I remember reading it and giggling while coverage of the death of Princess Diana played on TV in the background - weird dichotomy.

I read Empire Falls and I have a dim recollection of seeing Russo speak. I need to check with a friend, but I think he was one of the authors who came to speak to the "1600 Penn" book club that was organized when I worked at the White House. They'd announce a book to staff, we'd read it, and then they'd invite the author to come and speak. It was pretty cool. Anyway, I think it must have been there I heard him because I didn't get out a lot during those years :)

I am thinking of re-reading Straight Man in February, or I have That Old Cape Magic, Bridge of Sighs, and The Whore's Child on my shelf... Decisions, decisions....

I read and loved Empire Falls, and have several more Russo novels on hand. I'm leaning toward reading his first, Mohawk, in February.

I'm in for Russo, and I'll start with Straight Man--brought it home from the library, so I'm all set. Lots of intriguing titles listed here, so I might be reading more in February, who knows?

Karen O.

I'm reading Empire Falls as it also fits the Pulitzer challenge.

I have the audio of Elsewhere checked out from the library. I'll start it as soon as I finish my current audiobook.

I have placed a hold for Straight Man, but if that does not materialize, I may shift gears and read Elsewhere.

It looks like Nobody's Fool for me but at 550 pages and tiny print, this will indeed be a challenge. On to the bedside table it goes.

I own both Empire Falls and Bridge of Sighs. I'll probably be reading Empire Falls since I've had it longer.

I have That Old Cape Magic on hold at the library, scheduled to arrive in time for this month's author.

It will be That Old Cape Magic for me. It was already on my must reads for 2016! Yippee!

I am going to try to get to Bridge of Sighs. I loved Empire Falls.

I am going to try Empire Falls which was a gift from my Virago Secret Santa.

I've read Empire Falls, and liked it, but it's been about 10 years. Not sure what I will read. Reading all the posts above... Browsing options on Goodreads... Usually it depends on what the library has... The library has everything. Resorting to Amazon and Audible... Just listened to a brief excerpt on Audible. Bought Straight Man.

This is a true account of the decision making process that happens often enough to make my husband question our Amazon.com entries on the credit card statement. Totally normal, right? I had a credit on Audible though, so it's all good. *grin*

I got That Old Cape Magic out of the library today, though it will probably be mid-month before I get to it. I've never read Russo before, so I'm looking forward to the prospect of making a new friend.

I'm in and done...Elsewhere was Russo's memoir of life with his mother. It was a loving book about a challenging relationship. I may see what else my library has when I stop by later today.

I finished Straight Man - a very enjoyable, laugh-out-loud story!

>23 LoisB: Oh, good! I've just started it, and it is great to read your rave.

Karen O.

Yeehaaaa! Hit the world-famous February edition of the Bethlehem (Pa) Public Library book sale and acquired Nobody's Fool and That Old Cape Magic for a buck apiece. Ah..along with 23 other books.

"It was my opinion (then and now) that two people who love each other need not necessarily have the same dreams and aspirations, but they damn well ought to share the same nightmares."

“…imagination without energy remains inert...”

-Straight Man

>25 weird_O: Go Bill! Go Bill!

>26 msf59: Love that quote!

I picked up Nobody's Fool at the library today. There was a choice of Russo's books there but this was the only soft cover and I already had 4 hard covers to schlep around plus I was on my way to the bookstore. Strange the reasons why we choose the books we do.

I started Nobody's Fool last night, and despite it being over 500 pages, I think it will be an easy read. I love his straight forward style, and it helps that he describes places very similar to ones I'm familiar with, having grown up in Not New York City, New York :)

>30 katiekrug: This is on the top of my pile. I am glad to hear that is an easy read as at over 500 pages I have been avoiding it.

Boo hoo, I wanna read Empire Falls....but there's just so much else yelling at me from the bedside table! Maybe if I finish one of them soon I will still have time.

“The offspring of two bookish parents, I made up my mind as a boy that I would be as unlike them as I could. I was determined not, as an adult, to look up from a book with that confused, abstracted, disappointed expression that my parents shared when jolted out of book life into real life.”

-Straight Man

^I am loving this book...

>32 LovingLit: Come on, Megan! You can do it!!!

Sheesh, no pressure!? :)

Who, me??

Keep on warbling, Mr., I'll hear you one day.

Hey, they don't call me the Warble Wizard, for nothing, my friend.

Finally finished The Tycoons by Charles Morris for the February episode of the NF Challenge and I'm now several chapters into Russo's Pulitzer-winning novel Empire Falls. Very engaging, which is good because I've got to get to reading David Copperfield. But thumbs up to Russo, so far.

Well, my local library's one copy of Straight Man is now overdue for return by 15 days so I have decided to shift gears and placed a hold for Elsewhere. At least they had that one available in the system. ;-)

>40 lkernagh: I hope Straight Man shows up, Lori! I really loved it. What a great surprise.

No such luck on Straight Man, Mark. Obviously, the book is so good, the library patron doesn't want to return it.... sure seems like that, anyways. ;-)

>42 lkernagh:

I just finished Straight Man. So funny...I laughed out loud many times.

Yay! On Helwig Street finally turned up at the library. Fingers crossed I can get it read this month.

I finished Elsewhere: A Memoir yesterday and I'm now eager to try his fiction. I wasn't sure I was interested before listening to the memoir. He's a good reader, so if he ever develops writer's block, he could make a living as a narrator!

I believe On Helwig Street is the same book with a different title for the UK market.

I started Mohawk. It's developing slowly, but I think it will be quite all right, for a first novel.

I liked Elsewhere, too. I've read most of his fiction so it was good to take a look at his home life. His mother could have made his life hell but he took her extreme neediness in stride. I've always liked his writing but now I can add my respect for him as a good son!

On Helwig Street is good. I thought this was a great quote

It's more my mother's story than mine, but it's mine, too, because until just a few years ago she was seldom absent from my life. It's about her character but also about where she grew up, fled from, and returned to again and again, about contradictions she couldn't resolve and so passed on to me, knowing full well I'd worry them much as a dog worries a bone, gnawing, burying, unearthing, gnawing again, until there's nothing left but sharp splinters and bleeding gums.

>49 charl08:



Nice quote!

I think it will be early March before I get to RR, but he's by my reading chair.

>51 Caroline_McElwee: - I'm not going to finish mine before March :)

Finished Elsewhere. Overall, a sorrowful story filled with ‘what ifs’ and leaves the reader with no happy redemption, optimistic realism or any satisfying answers, but even with the bleakness, I still found it to be a beautiful, honest story.

>53 lkernagh: Thanks for chiming in on Elsewhere, Lori. I will have to track that one down.

I'm listening to Straight Man, and it's OK. It's possible that the narrator just annoys me, but I don't really find the main character all that sympathetic, even if he is kind of funny sometimes.

I finished On Helwig Street. I did like some of the writing (and his account of growing up in the first chapter) but his attitude to his mother's mental illness really grated with me by the end of the book. I've ranted over on my thread, but thought the potted version was more appropriate here!

I finished Nobody's Fool last night. What marvellous characterisation. Such flawed but likeable people and the dialogue... Has anyone seen the movie?

I chose Empire Falls, simply because, until Mark picked this author, I'd forgotten that I'd already begun a book of his.

I started this book two and a half years ago, getting midway through before it went back to the library. So well-drawn were the characters and so memorable the story line, that when I picked it up again, the story simply continued its flow right along from where I left off.

This is a slice of small town life, an economically depressed small town, whose main industry is now closed. Miles Roby is just getting by running a restaurant owned by the widow of the town bigwig. His relationships with family, customers, neighbors, school and church are the stuff of real life and each of those characters and their involvements with each other are perfectly nuanced. Empire Falls is mostly character driven and Richard Russo is a wonderful driver. - 4 stars

>57 HelenBaker: I saw the movie....I loved it. Of course, Paul Newman pretty much guaranteed that I would.

I've finished Russo's first novel, Mohawk, and although it has its flaws, it was a good read. I'm glad to have read it, but he has definitely written better stuff. Here is the link to my review on my thread.

Nobody's Fool is not a short fast read and I found myself daunted by the number of pages when I started reading. Towards the middle the characters, especially the character of Sully, grew on me and the pages turned more quickly as I wanted to find out what happened to everyone in the end.

>31 HelenBaker: >57 HelenBaker: Hey, that sounds similar to your take on Nobody's Fool.

I just finished Empire Falls. I will be thinking about the characters for a while. The novel pulled me along - even when I figured out one of the major plot twists about a third of the way through the book. I did not, however, see the end coming. Although upon reflection, I probably should have. If I'd not been in the midst of insane work life, I am sure that I would have sped through so I could get to the end!

#61
I felt much the same about Empire Falls. There was nothing surprising in the plot but the way he told the story - WOW! As a result it stayed with me for a long time.

I'm not done with Straight Man. I will finish it this month, but it's not really pulling me in.

Nittnut, I'm in the same boat. I'll keep it in mind for March. I'm only thirty or so pages in, so I'm hoping the "hook" happens a little further on. I do really like Russo's writing style, though.

Karen O.

I finally got to this. My thoughts on That Old Cape Magic http://www.librarything.com/topic/211101#5508026

Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo
5 stars (I connected with this book in a special way. It may not be perfect, but it was perfect for me.)

It took me over a month to finish Nobody's Fool but that had more to do with me than with this excellent novel. I ended up loving it and connecting with it in a way I did not expect, and much more so than with Russo's Pulitzer winner, Empire Falls. I think this was mostly due to my familiarity with the area in which the novel takes place (upstate New York, north of Albany and near a fictionalized version of Saratoga Springs which I visited often as a child) and my familiarity with the characters peopling Russo's world. They were so real to me, all their foibles and kindnesses and self-destructive behavior, all the quiet despair of living on the edge in a dying town. But it's all rendered very subtly, with humor and grace.

The protagonist, Sully, is a ne'er do well handyman with an ex-wife, a mistress, a resentful son, confused grandson, and devoted best friend upon whom he heaps (usually good-natured) abuse.

This is how Sully's life goes:

"He didn’t know for sure, of course, but it just made fatalistic sense the truck would die today. Yesterday he’d had a job offer that was contingent upon having a truck, which meant the truck had to die.” (page 227)

And this is the enigma that is Sully - a good man with a good heart who mostly seems to make bad decisions and has trouble connecting with other people on anything but a superficial level (Ralph is his ex-wife's husband and Peter is his son):

“'People like Sully,' he said. 'I do myself. He’s…' Ralph tried to think what Sully was.

'Right,' Peter said. 'He sure is.'” (page 386)

There is not a huge moment of redemption in this novel, where the sun suddenly shines on Sully and all becomes clear. But he does seem to begin to come to have a sense of his impact on people and to care what that impact is. His former carelessness becomes unacceptable in the face of the growing affection between him and his grandson. He remains implacable in some things though, including his hatred of his deceased father who was a mean and bullying drunk who abused his wife and sons.

“But Sully could only surrender so much, and he understood that if he and Ruth married, she’d eventually have him visiting Big Jim’s grave with fresh flowers. She’d go with him and make sure he left them. And where was the justice in that? It would mean that in the end Big Jim had fooled them all and beat the rap, walked out of court on some flimsy Christian loophole called forgiveness. No. Fuck him. Eternally.” (page 543)

Harsh, yes, but I feel the same way about certain people and circumstances in my life, so again, the bell rang clear and true for me.

And a final quote, which I just loved, because it perfectly describes the complexity and mystery of love and what ties us to other people:

“For fairness and loyalty, however important to the head, were issues that could seldom be squared in the human heart, at the deepest depths of which lay the mystery of affection, of love, which you either felt or you didn’t, pure as instinct, which seized you, not the other way around, making a mockery of words like ‘should’ and ‘ought’. The human heart, where compromise could not be struck, not ever.” (page 545)

Highly, highly recommended, if you can tolerate a book in which not much seems to happen. Still waters run deep.

Fantastic review, Katie.

I found that for much of the book Empire Falls nothing seemed to happen, and yet I thought and thought about that book long after I had finished it. It seems to me that books where nothing happens and yet everything happens often stay with me for a long long time and end up being the ones that I remember the most. Tenants of Time by Thomas Flanagan was another book were nothing seemed to happen and yet by the end of the novel the earth shook. I still love that novel and for me Empire Falls did the same thing. I think it must be Russo's writing and story telling ability. It is simply second to none. I think he excels at writing about "everyman." I write that in lower case because I think that is the way Russo sees his characters. Just ordinary people who struggle with ordinary wrongs and rights. Russo does an excellent job of writing about them, and consequently, most of us.

>66 katiekrug: Excellent review of Nobody's Fool, Katie. You definitely caught my interest with that one. You steered me right, with Straight Man, so I now I am looking forward to this one. Grins...