The Burgess Boys
By Elizabeth Strout
- Release Date: 2013-03-26
- Genre: Literary Fiction
Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Olive Kitteridge and My Name is Lucy Barton comes “a portrait of an American community in turmoil that’s as ambitious as Philip Roth’s American Pastoral but more intimate in tone” (Time).
“What truly makes Strout exceptional . . . is the perfect balance she achieves between the tides of story and depths of feeling.”—Chicago Tribune
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, NPR, Good Housekeeping
Haunted by the freak accident that killed their father when they were children, Jim and Bob Burgess escaped from their Maine hometown of Shirley Falls for New York City as soon as they possibly could. Jim, a successful corporate lawyer, has belittled his bighearted brother their whole lives, and Bob, a Legal Aid attorney who idolizes Jim, has always taken it in stride.
But their long-standing dynamic is upended when their sister, Susan—the Burgess sibling who stayed behind—urgently calls them home, where the long-buried tensions that have shaped and shadowed the brothers’ relationship begin to surface in unexpected ways that will change them forever.
This edition includes an original essay by Elizabeth Strout about the origins of The Burgess Boys.
Reviews
Beautiful character study
4By JC1865I liked this book very much. It ends abruptly after all the depth Ms Strout wove into the story—that was a little disconcerting. But as with all of Elizabeth’s books, I felt warmth and comfort getting to know these characters, and I hope to hear from some of them again.Good read
5By tinabethchapMy second read of Elizabeth Strout Good story I too would say, I want to sit with Elizabeth Strout and have a cup of coffee. In her writing, I again can absolutely hear her voice telling this story.Didn’t want it to end.
5By JjjlewisThis book was lovely on so many fronts.A miss
2By LordGigantI expected more from the number of positive reviews but was disappointed and had to speed read to get through it. The characters weren’t developed and were depressing - the story itself wasn’t interesting because of that. In the end I just didn’t care what their backstory or even current story was.Masterful Storytelling
5By Sue.79Complicated yet clearly written, this story takes off in many unexpected directions. Much of the action is directed by questions of place, personality, circumstance and deception, with a good look at preconceived perceptions of native and immigrant populations. Fulfilling and thought provoking.The Burgess Boys
5By Perky tooSorry, #6...this book was anything but slow. Beautifully written, with very interesting characters, each one with his/her own story. I have read all of Elizabeth Strout's books and this is her best work.Reader
5By Lee ChinalaiHalf the book is now highlighted with sentences I found staggeringly phrased, beautiful or insightful, or usually all three. I want to sit down and have a cup of tea with Elizabeth Strout who has become one of my favorite authors. The disappointment in finishing The Burgess Boys thank is matched by the anticipation of reading Abide with Me. Thank goodness.The Burgess Boys
5By Book lookerWonderful book! Don't you love books about Maine. Well written a page turner.Boring
1By goshgollyA slllllloooooowwwwwv read. I kept waiting for a twist in the story, something to boost it, but it never came. I couldn't get through it. Very disappointing.Took a chance
4By semisthebloodThis book was an unexpected pleasure to read. Terrific character development and a story well told. I will definately look into her other books, as this was the first I had read by her.All in a Name
5By MkburgThe only reason I chose to read this book is because my name is Burgess, and I was curious. Now, I want it read other books by Ms Strout. The character development was thorough and the author took the opportunity to weave different cultures and diversity into a fabric of family and community.Good story
5By SrwcapecodI enjoyed this book. The story is told around an event that really happened in Maine in 2006 when a pig's head was rolled into a Somali Mosque during Ramadan. The characters all have their own dysfunction but are quite believable. I found this story interesting in that it must be so difficult for some people to acclimate to the U.S. only because they can no longer live in their own country for fear of death. It is interesting when one of the characters from Maine goes to NY for the first time in her life and finds it so foreign and difficult to get around. She realizes it must be how the Somalis feel about living in the U.S.As a Mainer....
4By KellyGSmithMy only complaint is the persistent anti-Maine sentiment. I know some will say the exact opposite because of the outcome, but...I'm an ivy-League educated successful Mainer who didn't grow up here but was annoyed by the stereotypes. We are not all in the cold and dark. Our climate is very much like NY and Boston. There are many who embrace our beautiful world and are not all sad and desperate like those in Shirley Falls. I would like to add that as much as Helen may not be likable, this Mainer appreciates her love for her husband and children and her position on being duped. I have full faith that she and Jim reunited. XxooThe Burgess Boys
5By Peg1gyThis is a wonderful story, gently told. I could see my family in the characters. It has a lot of human sadness but somehow ends on an uplifting note
