Comments (28)

Community comments are the opinions of contributing users. These comments do not represent the opinions of Surrey Libraries.
What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 28 items
Nov 01, 2022ekhdong rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
What's to like about toxic masculinity? Somali incident based on real life incident.
Sep 24, 2022ldesutter rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Our book club enjoyed this novel and gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall. We did not particularly LIKE the characters but empathy developed as we discussed them. Personally, not one of Strout's strongest novels.
Mar 25, 2022
Book Club
Apr 18, 2021lizmaci rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I am starting to like all her books
Mar 28, 2021Kidbean rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I agree with another reviewer, as to Elizabeth Strout’s writing as “graceful” and “luxurious”. This was a complex story which read with ease and clarity. I am looking forward to reading more of her books.
Jul 29, 2020Indoorcamping rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I’m in the middle of reading everything Elizabeth Strout wrote, and I can’t get enough. Her writing hits me exactly where I need to go. There’s a beauty and luxury to her words and sentences and the way her plots move is graceful and…
Oct 21, 2019ontherideau rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
A slow tale of a privileged American family. I was disappointed the Somali element was not further developed.
Sep 28, 2019pamcilvenna rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Couldn't stop listening to it. Characters evolve, time goes by, big events occur and day to day events as well. There are multiple backstories and a family history which has a strong hold on the characters and yet - well you just need…
Jan 03, 2019Tara_P rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Elizabeth Strout is able to go into the very basic, rawest part of a person to display it with elegance and compassion. She has done this in 'The Burgess Boys' although it has a firmer plot than her other books which detracts from this…
jr3083
Mar 02, 2018jr3083 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
The 'Burgess Boys' are both lawyers: Jim a hot-shot defence lawyer and Bob, an easy-going, rather aimless legal-aid lawyer, both living in New York. They are called home by their sister Susan, who needs their legal help after her rather…
Dec 14, 2017ArapahoeAnnaL rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Interesting, flawed characters. I love the way the story plays out among the three siblings and their families.
Dec 10, 2016NWPLindabear rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
The Burgess Boys was supposed to be about how a teenage boy commits a hate crime against (called a prank) the Somalis living in his town and it affects the community and his family. I thought, “Oh, this could be so interesting! What would…
Jul 16, 2016uncommonreader rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This is a story of three siblings, each burdened by guilt in some way. The presence of a Somali community in small town Maine is interesting, but they are remain superficial characters, as seen by the people in the town. This is a…
sandy165
Jul 18, 2015
jk,
Jul 11, 2015Kkomp4 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This was a great book. Full of surprises and suspense.
Jun 09, 2015Wong_Anne rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
[2014 Bailey Prize FINALIST] Brothers, Jim and Bob Burgess are both lawyers in NYC but with varying levels of success, both professionally and socially. Their sister still lives in the small Maine town where they were raised. When her…
Feb 04, 2015
If you enjoy books that deal with family dynamics, "The Burgess Boys" is a good one as a crisis in the family brings sibling relationships to the forefront and changes them all. This book is a good one for Book Discussion groups with lots…
Dec 30, 2014
Strout excels in characterization - this time, she has created a complex adult siblings' relationship that is frustrating for the reader who has to wonder why these two brothers and their sister even bother talking to each other. The more…
Nov 16, 2014
Can I get 2 copies please. Thank You
sfujimura
Aug 22, 2014
For such a high rated book, I found this novel a struggle to get through and boring. I am 1/4 of the way from being finished, and honestly, I don't know if I care enough to find out how it ends (which is hard for me to do, as i NEVER not…
Jul 16, 2014IV27HUjg rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
Rather disappointed & not engaging enough to hold my interest. I rarely find lit about this area to my taste - not a NYC attitude person.
Jan 04, 2014mmetner rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I agree, slow start but eventually i couldn't "put the book down." Strout's writing is smart. I found the book informative about Somalis and related it to my experiences with Hmong people and other "groups" moving into our our cities and…
mrsgail5756
Dec 16, 2013mrsgail5756 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
The book was okay – but not one of my favorites.
Cdnbookworm
Nov 08, 2013Cdnbookworm rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This novel tells us the story of Bob and Jim Burgess and their sister Susan. The story begins when the boys are in their fifties and Susan's teen son Zach does something unthinkable. All three adults grew up in Maine, and while Bob and Jim…
Aug 12, 2013VanessaJean rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A good read and there are twists but, of course, those are expected. I recommend for anyone looking for an intelligent read. Unlike some books, the ends are tied up in such a way that you are not left wondering about how everything…