48 pages 1 hour read

Jeffrey Eugenides

The Virgin Suicides

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1993

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In the 1970s, a group of men recalls their teenage years when they were infatuated with the five Lisbon sisters, who lived a restrictive life due to their religious mother and passive father, and who all eventually died by suicide. The boys, who idolized the sisters, witnessed their struggles, their isolation from the community, and their eventual tragic ends, leaving the reasons for their actions shrouded in mystery.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Jeffrey Eugenides' The Virgin Suicides captivates with its haunting prose and evocative atmosphere, immersing readers in a suburban tragedy told through the eyes of a group of boys. Critics praise its lyrical style and exploration of youth and obsession. However, some find the narrative's detachment and discomforting subject matter challenging. Nevertheless, it remains a poignant, memorable read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Virgin Suicides?

A reader of The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides would appreciate melancholic and lyrical prose, exploring themes of adolescence, suburban life, and tragedy. Fans of The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath or White Oleander by Janet Fitch would find similar depth and introspection in this haunting, character-driven narrative.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Modern Classic Fiction

Classic Fiction

Topics

Depression / Suicide

Climate Change

Grief / Death

Themes

Identity: Mental Health

Emotions/Behavior: Memory

Values/Ideas: Beauty