The Burgess Boys

ByElizabeth Strout

Release Date: 2013-03-26
Genre: Literary Fiction

Score: 4

From 970 Ratings

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
4
By JC1865
I 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
5
By tinabethchap
My 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.
5
By Jjjlewis
This book was lovely on so many fronts.
A miss
2
By LordGigant
I 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
5
By Sue.79
Complicated 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
5
By Perky too
Sorry, #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
5
By Lee Chinalai
Half 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
5
By Book looker
Wonderful book! Don't you love books about Maine. Well written a page turner.
Boring
1
By goshgolly
A 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
4
By semistheblood
This 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.