Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary

Move forward in time to the present. Empire Falls is in an economic tailspin. All the Whiting factories are closed and boarded up. C.B. is not around. Francine-apparently the last remaining descendent of both the Whiting family she married into and her native Robideaux clan-is nearing the end of her life. The citizens of Empire Falls eagerly anticipate this event since it is not clear to whom she will leave the vast holdings of the Whiting family. Essentially, the citizens are waiting to see who will inherit their town. A number of colorful and apparently central characters emerge in this chapter and the Empire Grill becomes the venue-of-choice for local gossip and debate. Miles Roby, the proprietor, assumes the role as a somewhat less-than-naïve observer and much of the action is viewed through his eyes. Miles has been...