The Burgess Boys

From the beginning of the book the reader notices the narrative stance–someone who knew the Burgess family back in Maine is telling their story. She then gives herself license to tell it in an omniscient voice, which is an interesting choice. She flits through the thoughts of siblings Jim, and Bob, and Susan, of Jim's wife and Bob's ex-wife, and various other characters. If there's a single dominant presence in the book, though, it is Bob, the younger, ineffectual brother, the one who is the target of Jim's cruelty. While none of these characters are likable, I did find myself sympathizing most with Bob.

In the end, the book is a story about family, but it's also a story about tolerance and forgiveness.