48 pages • 1 hour read
Jeffrey EugenidesThe Virgin Suicides
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1993A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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
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 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.