A review by neledeich
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

dark mysterious sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

"We knew, finally, that the girls were really women in disguise, that they understood love and even death, and that our job was merely to create the noise that seemed to fascinate them."

A group of neighbourhood boys grows obsessed with five sisters and recount their suicides. A fantastic portrayal of the delusional view society, especially teenage boys, has of women. They fetishize them and are convinced to know everything without ever properly having a conversation with them. They are beautiful things to the boys, but they're not actually interested in them and their thoughts, if the girls do show parts of a personality, such as in the ultimate act of suicide, the boys are utterly confused. How can a woman have such complex thoughts and feelings? 
It also explores how suicide affects the surroundings and the entire community. Eugenides captures how isolated the girls were to the point where no one could bring them back anymore. 
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