The Virgin Suicides

The Virgin Suicides
Author	Jeffrey Eugenides
Language	English
Publisher	Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ISBN	0-374-26385-7
Pages	249

The Virgin Suicides is the debut novel by American author Jeffrey Eugenides, published in 1993. The novel is set in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, during the 1970s, and centers around the lives of the five Lisbon sisters, who are the subject of obsession for a group of neighborhood boys.

Plot summary

The story is narrated by an anonymous group of teenage boys who are infatuated with the Lisbon sisters: Cecilia, Lux, Bonnie, Mary, and Therese. The boys watch the sisters from afar, piecing together their story through observations and rumors.

The novel begins with the suicide attempt of the youngest sister, Cecilia Lisbon, who later succeeds in taking her own life. This event sets off a chain reaction that leads to the eventual suicides of all the sisters. The boys, now grown men, continue to be haunted by the mystery of the Lisbon sisters and their tragic fate.

Themes

The Virgin Suicides explores themes of isolation, adolescence, and the American Dream. The novel delves into the impact of suburban life on the Lisbon family and the pressures faced by the sisters. It also examines the concept of memory and nostalgia, as the narrators reflect on their youth and the events that shaped their lives.

Adaptations

The novel was adapted into a film in 1999 by director Sofia Coppola, starring Kirsten Dunst as Lux Lisbon and James Woods as Mr. Lisbon. The film received critical acclaim for its faithful adaptation and atmospheric portrayal of the novel's themes.

Reception

The Virgin Suicides received positive reviews upon its release, praised for its lyrical prose and unique narrative style. It has since become a cult classic, studied in literature courses and appreciated for its exploration of complex themes.

See also

• Jeffrey Eugenides
• Sofia Coppola
• American literature
• 1990s in literature

External links

• The Virgin Suicides on WikiMD