The Burgess Boys

I wish I could read about Olive again for the first time and I am not sure there will ever be a book like that one,but Elizabeth Strout is a great storyteller and the Burgess Boys is another great example of her artistry. She has an affectionate way of drawing her characters that gives you an understanding and appreciation for them that is slowly woven into the story line. Se is a master and I was sorry when this story ended but look forward to her expertise in whatever she sets out to do in the future. 17 people found this helpful

Elizabeth Strout has a unqiue ability to capture people as they are and as they interrelate. With the exception of Tyler\’s wife, who is a bit of a caricature, the characters are allowed to unfold, or devolve, in a way that feels real and whole. This book is troubling at times but is ultimately a book about how to love, understand, forgive and embrace yourself and others. 9 people found this helpful

With apologies to Shakespeare, \”some men are born sad and some men have sadness thrust upon them.\” Bob Burgess is one of the latter. Years ago, a freak car accident with toddler Bob in the front seat claimed the life of Bob\’s father. Modern psychology sometimes distinguishes guilt from shame this way: Guilt says, \”What I did was bad \” and Shame says \”Who I am is bad.\” Bob could be the poster child for what happens when blame hardens into shame which results in a life that never really gets off the ground. Nevertheless, it is Bob who is the heart and soul of \”The Burgess Boys.\” He lives his blighted life with humility, intelligence, and humor while struggling to keep his old personal demons from affecting his current relationships. Big brother Jim is a successful go getter who works hard, plays hard, and when he wants your opinion, he\’ll give it to you. Jim Burgess has achieved worldly success but is not the guy you trust to have your back. Just when you mentally roll your eyes convinced the author\’s description of Jim is veering into an obnoxious caricature, the origins of his larger-than-life personality begin to emerge. Jim begins to make sense, and this adds to our understanding of his siblings as well. Layers are peeled away as each character responds to unexpected events, and each other. I found this book captivating and extremely well written. The story describes what happens to the Burgess family when an impulsive, foolish act becomes a catalyst for life changes and truth telling. The characters are fantastic – very human in the best sense of the word: life bats them about, but they find enough courage and tenacity to rise above worn grooves of resignation. Even if the players in the story aren\’t the most likable at times, they each are worth getting to know. Strout\’s plot is compelling and raises complex moral questions that have no easy answers. I\’m still pondering some points a day after finishing the book. Finally, narrator Cassandra Campbell is perfection. She narrates \”The Burgess Boys\” with warmth, intelligence and a wicked Maine accent. Ayuh. 40 people found this helpful

I really enjoyed Elizabeth Strout\’s \”Abide with Me.\” When I found THe Burgess Boys on Audible, read by Cassandra Campbell, I thought it would be a worthwhile read. I\’ve gotten only 2hrs of the way through, and I… just… don\’t… care. Strout is a talented author, who can seamlessly weave together strands of everyday life and dialogue into her stories, but I don\’t like (or cannot relate to) any of the Burgess siblings: Bob is like a wounded puppy, Jim is a big pushy bully, and I just can\’t figure Susan out (who cares that her tenant stays in her pajamas all day?) Many others have read this book and enjoyed it, but I just couldn\’t with this one. I still have Olive Kitteridge and Amy and Isabelle on my wishlist, so I ahve not given up on this author entirely… but this one just didn\’t do it for me. 7 people found this helpful

This beautiful story, not just about the Burgess Boys, Bob and Jim, but their sad sister Susan, unravels with a slow, drawling fascination. Prefaced by another character entirely, who then silently haunts the book, building this story into myth, this novel entangled me and I was gutted when it was over. Elizabeth Strout writes novels you live in for a while. You can walk around her towns and city blocks, you have the opportunity to inhabit any one of a number of psychologically rich characters. Her characters are flawed – racist, angry, sad, blinded by privilege or burdened with lack – and yet you forgive all of them ultimately because it is lonely and confusing to be human, connected and disconnected simultaneously to those around you, and to the things you live with. Highly recommended. I also enjoyed the audiobook of Strout\’s Abide With Me. 6 people found this helpful

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