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48 pages 1 hour read

The Virgin Suicides

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1993

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Book Brief

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Jeffrey Eugenides

The Virgin Suicides

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1993
Book Details
Pages

250

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Suburban Michigan • 1970s

Publication Year

1993

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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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.

Melancholic

Mysterious

Nostalgic

Bittersweet

Dark

Reviews & Readership

4.0

371,721 ratings

65%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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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.

4.0

371,721 ratings

65%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

250

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Suburban Michigan • 1970s

Publication Year

1993

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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