55 pages • 1 hour read
The Burgess Boys
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
352
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 2010s
2013
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout, two brothers, Bob and Jim Burgess, return to their hometown of Shirley Falls, Maine, to support their sister, Susan, after her son, Zach, is accused of a hate crime against the local Somali community, leading to family tensions and personal revelations. The story addresses themes of racism, familial guilt, and community conflict.
Contemplative
Melancholic
Emotional
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
76,930 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Elizabeth Strout's The Burgess Boys offers a rich exploration of family dynamics and personal history. Critics praise Strout's nuanced character development and the way she tackles complex social issues. However, some find the pacing slow and the plot elements disjointed. Overall, it's a compelling read with deep emotional resonance, despite uneven storytelling at times.
Who Should Read The Burgess Boys?
Readers who appreciate complex family dynamics and small-town American life, as seen in works like The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen and The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling, will be drawn to The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout. This novel delves into themes of identity, guilt, and familial responsibility, making it ideal for fans of character-driven narratives.
76,930 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
352
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 2010s
2013
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.