Empire Falls

About “Empire Falls”

Dexter County, Maine, and the town of Empire Falls have declined over the years, with logging and textile industries failing and the once-powerful Whiting family now holding only deteriorating properties. The working class struggles to survive as opportunities vanish. Miles Roby runs the Empire Grill, a business from his youth that has become a burden. He returned home to care for his ailing mother and erratic father and never left. He deals with a pending divorce, a troubled brother, and a difficult partnership with Mrs. Whiting. Despite these challenges, Miles finds joy in guiding his daughter, Tick, through adolescence. He is a thoughtful figure in a town filled with history, hardship, and complex relationships. The novel explores the lives of the town's residents, their struggles, and their connections.