The Virgin Suicides

By: Jeffrey Eugenides

Narrated by: Nick Landrum

Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

This nationally best-selling novel from Pulitzer Prize-winner Jeffrey Eugenides was adapted into an acclaimed film by Academy Award-winner Sofia Coppola. A haunting yet wickedly funny tale, The Virgin Suicides has captivated countless readers with its intoxicating portrait of lost innocence. A brilliant fusion of dark humor and tragedy, it is an atmospheric, allegorical masterpiece about five oppressed, suicidal sisters and the boys who dream of rescuing them.

©1993 Jeffrey Eugenides (P)2006 Recorded Books, LLC.

Critic reviews

"Eugenides' voice is so fresh and compelling, his powers of observation so startling and acute, that most will be mesmerized....This is an auspicious debut from an imaginative and talented writer." ( Publishers Weekly)

"A finely crafted work of literary if slightly macabre imagination....A black, glittering novel that won't be to everyone's taste but must be tried by readers looking for something different." ( Library Journal)

"Mr. Eugenides is blessed with the storyteller's most magical gift, the ability to transform the mundane into the extraordinary." ( The New York Times Book Review)

To blame or not to blame

I know that to apportion blame subsequent to events is a fruitless exercise. Yet this book got me thinking ... and pondering ... and trying to figure - who is to blame? The overly strict and narrow parents, or the teenagers for whom life did not live up to their dreams and expectations. Frustration, futility, and compassion are the order of the day.

The endless battle of generations, of dark and light, of eternal contrasts.

In some ways it reminded me of the play "Equus" by Peter Shaffer. The teenage boys bring an element of sexuality, life and virility into play, as do the girls' passions, while the girls' stagnant environment maintains a status quo of suspended dying. In the same way that in the end death always overcomes life.

The irony - were they all virgins? In body or in mind? In a place as bleak, dark, and unclean as their home. Virginal in life experience?

Readers who enjoy an exercise in psychology and depth would probably appreciate this book. I read it as an intro to Eugenides, as I intend to read Middlesex next, and didn't want to feel disappointed by ''Suicides" as a follow-up.

I gave it three stars because a definite plot would have made the book more interesting.

Eh

The book was well read but I could not relate to the plot at all.

I very much prefer Middlesex over this book

Any additional comments?

Maybe my expectations were set so high after reading the Middlesex. You might find The Virgin Suicides an impressive book if you have not read the Middlesex. It still has some of the nuances, thorough character developments, and intriguing twists that you find in Eugenides writings. I was more impressed by the early chapters and as it got closer to the end of the book, I didn't enjoy it that much.

The end left me satisfied and with a tear

I could say a lot, but I won’t. I watched the movie years ago, and felt somewhat unsatisfied. The book satisfies. I felt the same longing frustration as the narrator; the Lisbon girls sudden exit haunts the boys, leaves so much unanswered, and leaves them forever feeling a sense of emptiness and mystery. There’s a lot going on here. I recommend it. Great writing, great performance

Disappointed

Struggle through this one. Very blah story. The subject matter probably had something to do with. Absolutely loved Middlesex and the Marriage Plot though.

Heartbreaking

Such a sad sad story. Very heartbreaking I blame Mrs. Lisbon 100%. What kind of mother in prison her daughters and doesn’t let them go anywhere ??? what kind of mother watches one daughter kill herself and let the other follow suit ?

Liked the narrative style, but parts lagged

I saw one description of The Virgin Suicides as a “haunting yet wickedly funny tale.” Hmmm, not so much on the funny part. The novel revolves around five suicidal teenage sisters and their rather strange parents. It was pretty good early, but then really lagged after that.

I like the narrative style, which was from the point of view of a group of neighborhood boys who were so obsessed with the sisters that they conducted interviews and collected memorabilia in the years after in an attempt to piece together what may have been going through the girls’ minds.

Great narration from Nick Landrum. Recommended for Eugenides fans, though I liked Middlesex much more.

Dark but meaningful

This is definitely a book you may want to read a couple of times to get the full understanding of the brilliance of Eugenides!

Not quite there yet

As I was listening to this I could hear flashes of the genius that is so evident in Middlesex. However, it quickly becomes clear that the author is still developing his skills in this book. I don't regret listening to this novel but it is nowhere near as good a story or as good of writing as was done in Middlesex.

Underwhelmed

It wasn't bad but it just doesn't compare to his other epic works. Still very interesting and well- written, just slightly boring.