A review by kyliep96
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

challenging dark reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Eugenides tactfully explores themes of voyeurism, suburban claustrophobia and banality, intimacy and loneliness, adolescence, girlhood and the male gaze, depression, self harm, repression, and memory. Depictions of suburbia are often grotesque, focusing on grimy, filmy, bug-coated imagery and rotting, stale stenches. Plot pacing is slow and character development is superb. 

Overall this book left me feeling gross but intrigued. I’ll be thinking of this novel for a while. 
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