The Virgin Suicides

Virgicides

The Virgin Suicides

The Virgin Suicides is a novel written by Jeffrey Eugenides and published in 1993. The story is set in a suburban neighborhood in Michigan during the 1970s and follows the lives of the five Lisbon sisters: Cecilia, Lux, Bonnie, Mary, and Therese. The novel explores themes of adolescence, repression, and the impact of tragedy on a family and community.

Plot Summary

The novel begins with the suicide attempt of the youngest sister, Cecilia, which sets off a chain of events that ultimately leads to the deaths of all the sisters. The story is narrated by a group of neighborhood boys who are fascinated by the Lisbon sisters and try to piece together the events that led to their tragic end.

As the sisters become increasingly isolated by their overprotective parents, the boys become more obsessed with them, culminating in a prom night that ends in tragedy. The novel delves into the complexities of teenage emotions and the ways in which the sisters' lives are shaped by their environment and family dynamics.

Themes

The Virgin Suicides explores themes of adolescence, family dynamics, isolation, and tragedy. The novel raises questions about the nature of memory and storytelling, as the boys' recollections of the events are colored by their own perspectives and biases.

Adaptations

In 1999, the novel was adapted into a film directed by Sofia Coppola. The film starred Kirsten Dunst as Lux and received critical acclaim for its atmospheric cinematography and haunting portrayal of the Lisbon sisters' story.

Reception

The Virgin Suicides received widespread critical acclaim upon its publication, with many praising Eugenides' lyrical prose and evocative storytelling. The novel has since become a cult classic and is considered a seminal work in contemporary literature.