The Burgess Boys

author: Elizabeth Strout

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.51

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2014/02/22

date added: 2014/02/22

shelves:

review:

Jim and Bob Burgess remain victims of the accident that took their father's life. The accident affects Bob's twin sister Susan. She stayed in their hometown in Maine, but Bob and Jim left for New York City and law careers, and not wanting to look back at their past.



They are pulled back to Maine when their nephew commits what seems like an unspeakable hate act against a group of Somalian refugees. Themes of family loyalty, the guilty secrets we keep and the wrecked relationships we drag along behind us all surface. Susan is a single parent raising a son who is checked out. Bob has a broken marriage and is heading towards alcoholism. Jim is the most successful, but he's far from a happy person. In fact, Jim is really kind of a jerk.



The book definitely went in unpredicted directions, but when it was all said and done, I'm not sure I really cared. I kind of wish it had gone more the direction I thought it might, even if that had been more standard and predictable (and I can't believe I'm saying that). It's well written book and I look forward to reading more by Elizabeth Strout.



I was given a review copy of this book by Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this book.









via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1dhTgld