The Burgess Boys
Ratings22
Average rating4.1
From the beginning of the book the reader notices the narrative stance–someone who knew the Burgess family back in Maine is telling their story. She then gives herself license to tell it in an omniscient voice, which is an interesting choice. She flits through the thoughts of siblings Jim, and Bob, and Susan, of Jim's wife and Bob's ex-wife, and various other characters. If there's a single dominant presence in the book, though, it is Bob, the younger, ineffectual brother, the one who is the target of Jim's cruelty. While none of these characters are likable, I did find myself sympathizing most with Bob.
In the end, the book is a story about family, but it's also a story about tolerance and forgiveness.
I almost gave up on Burgess Boys. I was a third of the way in and I wasn't feeling that I-can't-stop-turning-the-pages feeling like I did when I read Strout's Olive Kitteridge.
Then I went to see Strout in Houston. She was charming. Funny. Endearing. She read aloud from the book. She talked about how messy she is. She spoke about how she taught herself to write.
Okay. Let's give her one more chance.
Glad I did. No, BB is not OK. But it is close. Ordinary life. Characters who are a just-right mix of good guys and bad guys. Solid plot. Yes, a worthy read. But, be forewarned, it's no Olive Kitteridge. Just so you know.