Comments on: Guest Post: Louise Bryan on The Burgess Boys

By: Barbara Keith

Barbara Keith — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 18:59:26 +0000

Have finally had a chance to sit down and read this delicious post! Beautifully written and full of your wit and smarts! I adored Olive Kitteridge so I think my expectations for Burgess Boys was too high. I think your review was spot on and certainly gives me a lot to think about in terms of family roles and expectations!

By: Karlen Garrars

Karlen Garrars — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 12:46:56 +0000

Louise, I love this post– and you!

By: Louise Bryan

Louise Bryan — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 18:55:24 +0000

Angie, thank you so much for your comments. You have given me so much to think about in terms of tradition, celebrations, and expectations. I greatly appreciate your observations and reminders for taking our relationships off “auto-pilot”. Thank you for sharing.

By: jenniferpuryear

jenniferpuryear — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 19:44:49 +0000

In reply to Angie Henderson.

Many thanks for your very thoughtful comment, Angie! I will certainly pass along to Louise! Warm Thanksgiving wishes to you and your family as well.

By: Angie Henderson

Angie Henderson — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 17:03:12 +0000

Louise, this is such a great review. Well done! Burgess Boys was not a favorite of mine on the whole, but there were parts of it that really resonated with me. I think I preferred Olive Kitteridge, though truth be told, I didn’t “enjoy” that book either. That said, I’m glad to have read both. Reflecting on these books as Thanksgiving approaches reminds me that too often we have assigned certain “roles” or “viewpoints” to our family members and it’s so easy to just go through family occasions on autopilot assuming we know “this is what he will think, this is what she will say.” There’s a certain comfort in not “rocking the boat,” but it can also build resentment and distance among family members. I love that your dad encouraged disagreement and discussion around your family table. Thanks for sharing about your family and your childhood. Loved the nugget about the importance of what parents do NOT do for their children–much-needed reminder for moms as we encourage our children to become resilient and self-reliant! Also loved the parenting tip to stop asking “how was your day” and find another question, which circles me back to taking ourselves off auto-pilot in our family relationships. You’ve really got me thinking today, Louise!! Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

By: Louise Bryan

Louise Bryan — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 18:18:56 +0000

Many thanks for such inspiring words!

By: Louise Bryan

Louise Bryan — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 18:17:19 +0000

In reply to Lyn Fairchild Hawks.

Thank you for your kind note. I do prefer Burgess Boys over Olive Kittteridge, although I look forward to Frances McDormand’s portrayal of the title character in the HBO tv mini series!

By: Lawrence Blank-Cook

Lawrence Blank-Cook — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 16:40:05 +0000

Louise, what a wonderful review. You are such an amazing writer and mother. I love the maternal conversation advice. I’m going to try it.

By: Lyn Fairchild Hawks

Lyn Fairchild Hawks — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 11:50:10 +0000

Louise, thanks for the review. I loved Olive Kitteridge and love Strout’s writing. I wonder–do you have a preference between the two books? And have you read any other works by Strout? (I am trying to choose between buying this book and a few others on the Bacon list. Never too early to shop for yourself for Xmas!) 🙂