The Burgess Boys

Elizabeth Strout, Marta Pera Cucurell

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4.1(11,799 Ratings)
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cover backgroundThe Burgess Boys

About this book

In the heart of Maine, against the backdrop of a small town grappling with change, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Strout crafts a powerful story of family, identity, and the complexities of the American experience. Jim and Bob Burgess, two brothers who escaped their hometown of Shirley Falls for successful careers in New York City, are unexpectedly drawn back when their troubled nephew, Zach, finds himself in serious trouble involving the local Somali community.

As the Burgess brothers reluctantly return, long-buried tensions and sibling rivalries resurface, forcing them to confront the shared tragedy that has haunted their family for decades. The clash between their privileged lives and the simmering prejudice in Shirley Falls ignites a series of events that expose the deep divisions within the town and the Burgess family itself.

With her signature blend of empathy and sharp observation, Strout explores themes of guilt, responsibility, and the enduring power of family bonds. "The Burgess Boys" is a poignant and unforgettable novel about the challenges of reconciliation, the search for belonging, and the enduring hope for redemption in a world struggling to understand itself.

Summary of Key Ideas

  • The Enduring Impact of Family Trauma

    The Burgess Boys explores the complex dynamics within the Burgess family, particularly the strained relationship between brothers Jim and Bob. Their shared childhood trauma—the accidental death of their father—casts a long shadow over their lives, influencing their individual choices and their interactions with each other. The novel delves into how past events can shape present identities and create lasting resentments, highlighting the challenges of reconciliation and forgiveness within families. Strout masterfully portrays the nuances of sibling rivalry and the enduring bonds that connect family members, even amidst conflict and estrangement. The Burgess's relationship underscores the idea that family history is a powerful force that can both unite and divide.

  • Clash of Cultures and the Somali Refugee Crisis

    The novel delves into the challenges faced by a small Maine town grappling with the influx of Somali refugees. The story highlights the cultural clashes, misunderstandings, and prejudices that arise when a community undergoes rapid demographic change. The complexities of immigration are explored through the perspectives of both the established residents and the newcomers, revealing the difficulties of integration and the search for common ground. Strout examines the fears and anxieties that can fuel xenophobia, while also portraying the potential for empathy and understanding to bridge cultural divides. This theme encourages readers to consider the human cost of immigration policies and the importance of fostering inclusive communities.

  • The Formation and Negotiation of Identity

    Identity, both individual and communal, is a central theme in The Burgess Boys. The Burgess brothers grapple with their sense of self, shaped by their family history, their experiences in Shirley Falls, and their subsequent lives away from home. The Somali community in Maine also struggles to maintain its cultural identity in a new and unfamiliar environment. The novel explores how identity is formed, negotiated, and sometimes contested, highlighting the ways in which individuals and groups define themselves in relation to others. Strout examines how a sense of belonging is crucial for well-being, and the challenges that arise when individuals or communities feel marginalized or excluded.

  • The Weight of Guilt and Responsibility

    Guilt and responsibility are recurring motifs throughout the novel. The Burgess brothers grapple with guilt related to their father's death and the choices they have made in their lives. Zakir, Jim's son, feels responsible for the events that unfold after he throws a pig's head into a mosque. Strout explores the psychological burden of guilt and the ways in which individuals attempt to atone for their actions or inactions. The novel suggests that confronting one's guilt is essential for personal growth and healing, but that the path to redemption is often fraught with difficulty.

  • Exile, Displacement, and the Search for Home

    The Burgess Boys examines the themes of exile and return, both in a physical and emotional sense. Jim and Bob Burgess both left Shirley Falls seeking to escape their past and build new lives. However, they are drawn back to their hometown by family obligations and a sense of unfinished business. The Somali refugees are also exiles, forced to leave their homes due to war and political instability. The novel explores the challenges of adapting to a new culture and the longing for one's homeland. Strout suggests that the idea of 'home' is complex and multifaceted, encompassing both physical space and emotional connection.

  • The Intricacies of Small-Town Dynamics

    Strout delves into the complexities of small-town life, portraying both its close-knit community and its limitations. Shirley Falls is depicted as a place where everyone knows everyone else's business, and where old grudges and resentments can linger for generations. The novel explores the ways in which small-town dynamics can both support and stifle individual growth. The characters' relationships are deeply intertwined with the social fabric of Shirley Falls, highlighting the challenges of navigating personal desires within a tightly bound community.

Chapter Recap

PrologueElizabeth Strout introduces a narrator whose bond with her mother is strengthened by their shared interest in the Burgess family. These conversations often occur over the phone between New York and Maine, or during the narrator's visits to her mother in a local hotel. The Burgess siblings—Jim, Bob,
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About The Author

Elizabeth Strout

Main Quotes

"And it was too late. No one wants to believe something is too late, but it is always becoming too late, and then it is."

"The facts didn't matter. Their stories mattered, and each of their stories belonged to each of them alone."

"A wonderful thing about New York—if you have the means—is that if you don't feel like preparing food, finding a fork, washing a plate, or waiting for food to be delivered, you can just go out and get something."

"Bob had no idea what to do. Jim would know what to do. Jim had children, Bob did not."

"Family is not just blood relations, it's about the people who stand by you through thick and thin."

"Sometimes, the scars we carry from our childhood shape our entire lives."

"Be a chef, be a beggar, be divorced a zillion times, no one in this city cared. Smoke yourself to death out the window. Scare your wife and go to jail. It was all OK."

"Lucy is comfortable being with Bob. He listens to her. It makes her feel like everything she says is important."

"He saw how people’s lives could become so distorted, so crimped, by the decisions they made, or the decisions that were thrust upon them."

"There was a lot to be pitied in the world, and much of it could be laid at the feet of the unjust, but there was also a lot that was caused by the simple collision of circumstances."

Who Should Read This Book

Readers of literary fiction

Readers interested in family sagas and complex family dynamics

Individuals interested in stories about small-town life in Maine

Readers who enjoy character-driven novels

Those interested in stories exploring themes of immigration, prejudice, and cultural clashes

Readers of Elizabeth Strout's previous works, particularly "Olive Kitteridge"

Book club participants

Readers who appreciate nuanced and empathetic portrayals of human relationships

Individuals interested in social issues and their impact on communities

Readers who enjoy novels that explore the complexities of the human condition

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