Bridge of Sighs

typically enjoyable Russo

This took a little while to get into, but overall it was really intense.

Russo's in top form here. A very satisfying book.

It was okay. I had higher expectations.

Russo tests reader's patience here, with the tale of Thomaston, that is like Gloversville, his hometown in upstate N.Y., told from the point of view of a stick-in-the-mud character who has lived there his whole life. When the narration changes to the most famous son of Thomaston, an artist who lives in Venice, Italy, the book was somewhat redeemed by his criticism of the dully virtuous...more

Russo tests reader's patience here, with the tale of Thomaston, that is like Gloversville, his hometown in upstate N.Y., told from the point of view of a stick-in-the-mud character who has lived there his whole life. When the narration changes to the most famous son of Thomaston, an artist who lives in Venice, Italy, the book was somewhat redeemed by his criticism of the dully virtuous narrator. There are genuine moments of emotional strength and impact in this tale, but whether it is worth the heavy committment I'm just not sure.   hide

I couldn't get "Empire Falls" out of my mind for weeks after reading it, so I bought Russo's newest book the day it went on the market. I loved it. Full of flawed but lovable characters, this novel adopts you into a small-town family with all of its fears and dreams.

Russo may keep writing the same novel over and over, but I don't care. I love it!

a slow read but really great story great author

I think this might be my favorite yet by this author.