The Burgess Boys

A Novel

By: Elizabeth Strout

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 13 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

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 sleek, 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. Her lonely teenage son, Zach, has gotten himself into a world of trouble, and Susan desperately needs their help. And so the Burgess brothers return to the landscape of their childhood, where the long-buried tensions that have shaped and shadowed their relationship begin to surface in unexpected ways that will change them forever.

With a rare combination of brilliant storytelling, exquisite prose, and remarkable insight into character, Elizabeth Strout has brought to life two deeply human protagonists whose struggles and triumphs will resonate with listeners long after the ausiobook is over. Tender, tough-minded, loving, and deeply illuminating about the ties that bind us to family and home, The Burgess Boys is Elizabeth Strout’s newest and perhaps most astonishing work of literary art.

©2013 Elizabeth Strout (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Deeply human... Though loneliness and loss haunt these pages, Strout also supplies gentle humor and a nourishing dose of hope.” ( Booklist)

Some Secrets Shouldn't be Kept

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.

Great character analysis

The reason I have enjoyed all Elizabeth's Straut's books are because she is amazing at character analysis. I wonder if she has a degree in psychology? She expertly crafts a story and while she does you slowly come to understand what makes each person who they are and why they do what they do. In this book a dysfunctional family is dissected, most of the characters are quite unlikeable but we grow to understand them. You so often wonder how certain roles are "assigned" in families during childhood and continue on throughout the lives of the siblings. The Burgess boys have these assigned roles and only through a major crisis do they finally learn some difficult truths, change their assumptions about themselves and their siblings, grow emotionally and move forward. I think the narrator was excellent, she totally kept my interest. I highly recommend this book.

A Three Ring Circus of Emotion

There's a lot going on all the time in this book. For every emotional point being currently discussed, there are three more egos and two more open story lines hanging in the air. The relationship and family events, though enjoyable and interesting, were not the highlight of this book. I found the Somali migration to Maine the riveting part of this book. How easy it was to see both sides of that emotional hot house.


I found the two brothers in this story to be ever so annoying. Actually, so was their sister. Didn't make me want to read about them less. One of the previous reviewers wrote to save your money - I think exactly the opposite. There is a whole lot of listening in this book.

I bet that most people that read this will love it or hate it. I'm glad I read it. I found it entertaining to the very end.

Cassandra Campbell - she has read a great many of my previous audible purchases. I have always enjoyed her performances. This one - not so much. That first part is especially bad. I wish I could put my finger on why it was so bad. If a reader is having a hard time getting through that first gossipy part, move ahead to the first chapter. I had to go back later and listen to it over. I still see no reason for it.

Superb novel that will stir the reader's emotions

This is a book that is about two brothers, Jim and Bob, and a lifetime of agony each has suffered in his own way as a result of a childhood incident. Each has lived with unspeakable memories about a day where a terrible tragedy occurs. However, though this event brings tremendous hurt to an entire family, nobody speaks about it. One brother is sent to a therapist, but for the most part, the family pushes their pain away to get on with life.

This story begins with their nephew Zach committing a hate crime--does he do it from intent or ignorance of what he is doing? This is the central question that underlies the entire first part of the book, and forces the brothers to face what they have run from looking at all this time.

On another level this is such a book for our time! It addresses the question of differentness, of otherness--whether at the level of family who don't know really know each other, or cultural groups who have uneasy relationships as immigration shifts the balance of community and townspeople must come to grips with the presence of people they cannot understand.

This portion of the book explores the way people respond to outsiders, to those who are not like themselves. The author includes the reality that the Somali immigrants who have located in a Maine town are equally suspicious and wary of the Mainers, with whom they now live, after fleeing political horrors and wars in Somalia. The book seems to point out that none of us, at base, even those comfortable with engaging with those different from themselves, are spared the conflict stirred by the challenge of some who find the presence of otherness threatening. Stepping outside the comfort zone of the known and familiar can be so terrifying that people will do all sorts of things to avoid having to adapt to new people and knowledge, even about those they thought they know the best.

This book explores how family must come to terms with the differences, secrets, conflicted emotions and strangeness of their own members, much as the townspeople must find ways to adapt to the changes of having the Somalis enter with their different language, religion and habits.

The author does a masterful job of depicting the intricate tapestry of love, hate, fear, emotions and reactions to having to come to terms with those they find they do not understand. This is a powerfully written book that will stir the reader with emotion as the story unfolds. There were often times when I found myself wondering, "what would I have felt or done in similar circumstances." That is the genius of this book--it engages the reader deeply, and forces us all to examine our own assumptions and beliefs, as well as telling a deeply moving story. I cannot recommend reading it highly enough. I only wish I could give it 6 stars!

Loved, loved, loved it!

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.

You Will Long for a Book Group to Discuss This

What made the experience of listening to The Burgess Boys the most enjoyable?

It is hard to limit my answer. There are questions about personality, ethical issues, legal problems, political perspectives, etc; lots of great stuff in this book! Perhaps what made it most enjoyable is that there were surprizing twists in the story could take as the focus went from one character to another. I would think I knew what the book was about and then it would swing to another angle.

What did you like best about this story?

It seemed very plausible to me. No one was completely admirable or dispicable. No one was fully predictable or fully understood. The characters are real in that we don't always know what someone else will do. Even though we learn more and more about these characters' lives, they can still surprise us.

What about Cassandra Campbell’s performance did you like?

I loved her Maine accents.

If you could rename The Burgess Boys, what would you call it?

The Burgess Family. It bothered me that the sister was not included in the title.

Another Brilliant Exposition on Being Human

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.

Maine to New York and Back

Elizabeth Strout gives up, ever so slowly, the secrets of the Burgess boys. While doing so, she also tells the tale of a small New England town that is experiencing an influx of imigrants from Africa. A hapless boy makes a terrible mistake, his uncles make more mistakes as they attempt to recuse him. The narration is gentle and perfect. An all together perfect read.

Meandering, unlikable characters... couldn't finis

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.

A family story, whispered in your ear by a friend

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.

Beautiful Prose

Already a fan of Elizabeth Strout’s fiction, books not audio, I anticipated this book with high hopes. I was not disappointed. She writes understated, poetic prose and because of this, as in all her work, the quality of the words is more important than the plot.
The narrator was just right.
Definitely worth a punt

Authentic characters make for a gripping listen

After a tragic childhood accident, the Burgess children’s lives and personalities have all been deeply affected; not just in the ways in which their lives have turned out, but particularly in the way they respond to and treat each other. This has a knock-on effect on the sister Susan’s son, Zach and his actions threaten to destroy not only his own life but race-relations in their local community.
Elizabeth Strout has a rare talent for portraying her characters, not only as 3 dimensional, but as whole, totally believable people. As in real life, nobody is totally good (though Bob comes close to that description) or bad.
A narrator can make or break a book. Cassandra Campbell enhances this audiobook by bringing to life each character with its own instantly recognisable voice.

Not her best but worth a listen

I like this author but this one was heavy going , the subject matter well worth addressing but I felt that it laboured somewhat in parts . Most of the characters pretty awful people .
Thought provoking nevertheless

Strout’s Strengths

Elizabeth Strout delves in to family life, the good, the bad & the extremely ugly. I struggled with Jim’s ego driven character throughout, but ironically think that this is a good thing as it bears testament to the strength of Strout’s characters. Zac’s story line is a little off kilter in my opinion, especially the Somali aspect of the story. But this is made up for by Bob, Susan, Helen & Jim tenfold. I’ve read a few of Strout’s books & I have the same feeling every time I get to the end...I’m left wanting more. Loved the narrator’s crisp yet comforting voice.

Elegant and uneventful

Found the book relaxing, the pace was as good as the narration, and I liked Bob, oh Bob. Not a patch on Olive Kitteridge or as good as My Name is Lucy Barton. But not many books are.

Plot and characters very predictable

I was disappointed with this book. The story sounded interesting - 3 siblings getting together to come to terms with the death of their father in their childhood. The other theme the book tackles is the relationship between the people in a small town and Somali immigrants. Both of these were very clumsily dealt with as the characters were very shallowly drawn and the plot was so obvious you could have guessed most of it.

I'd say it's fine for a very easy listen but completely forgettable.

A Fantastic Book

Would you consider the audio edition of The Burgess Boys to be better than the print version?

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It allowed me to really listen to the beautiful language and enthralling descriptive sections.

Engrossing

Engrossing story, beautifully read, delineating all the characters so well. While basically a family drama, also covers issues of large scale immigration to a part of the US already in decline.