The Burgess Boys — Reader Q&A

Has anyone else noticed the blatant liberal bias? It seems to progress throughout the novel, capping it all off with " Sweden pays high taxes but all the people there have everything they want and all is clean". Really? Pure liberal guilt clap-trap.

Yaaresse It's probably a safe bet, based on your choice of words, that if the "bias" was in the other direction, you would have no complaint with it. It would …moreIt's probably a safe bet, based on your choice of words, that if the "bias" was in the other direction, you would have no complaint with it. It would have been praised if mentioned at all.

If there wasn't truth to it, there couldn't be any possibility of so-called "liberal guilt." Sweden does have high taxes. They do have excellent social services, healthcare, and education. Their country is very clean.

The town the fictional Zach lived is was described as a former mill town. It had all that goes with that -- loss of jobs, environmental problems, stress, increased crime -- on top of being geographically isolated and trying to deal with a strain on its resources because of a sudden influx of immigrants with special needs. That this made a huge impression on a lonely, uneducated, poor 16 year old boy was probably one of the more believable moments in the book. (less)

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I just finished this book and want to rate it as I thought it was excellent. Without revealing the details, I found it to be beautifully written with characters who expressed truths we encounter in family relationships and in general contemporary life issues. Her style in moving between characters points of view made the book move quickly and brought cultural diversity to life. Why all the negativity?

Bethann People tend to like thrillers and fun reads. If you look up any fantasy, YA or crime fiction, they tend to have over 4 star average ratings. Elizabeth…morePeople tend to like thrillers and fun reads. If you look up any fantasy, YA or crime fiction, they tend to have over 4 star average ratings. Elizabeth Strout is a slow burn. Her writing is elegant and insightful, but that doesn't do it for everyone. I try to suss out whether a review is going to be helpful to me but finding people who've given the book really high or really low ratings and see what else they are reading/rating. I usually follow reviewers whose tastes align with my own and put more weight in their reviews. (less)

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Betsy

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Madeline The passport question occurred to me also. He may have had assistance in arranging his travel, especially since he probably didn't have enough financi…moreThe passport question occurred to me also. He may have had assistance in arranging his travel, especially since he probably didn't have enough financial resources to have even purchased air fare. Really though, it is a minor detail in the overall story.(less)

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I just finished this book and want to rate it as I thought it was excellent. Without revealing the details, I found it to be beautifully written with characters who expressed truths we encounter in family relationships and in general contemporary life issues. Her style in moving between characters points of view made the book move quickly and brought cultural diversity to life. Why all the negativity?

Donna I love this author's writing and sensitivity to the real issues and turmoil most families suffer. Elizabeth Strout has lived a life filled with disapp…moreI love this author's writing and sensitivity to the real issues and turmoil most families suffer. Elizabeth Strout has lived a life filled with disappointments and she writes beautifully from her large mind and heart. Some want to live in denial, she doesn't, nor do I.(less)

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