The Virgin Suicides Audiobook [Free Download by Trial]

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The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

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Summary

First published in 1993, The Virgin Suicides announced the arrival of a major new American novelist. In a quiet suburb of Detroit, the five Lisbon sisters--beautiful, eccentric, and obsessively watched by the neighborhood boys--commit suicide one by one over the course of a single year. As the boys observe them from afar, transfixed, they piece together the mystery of the family's fatal melancholy, in this hypnotic and unforgettable novel of adolescent love, disquiet, and death. Jeffrey Eugenides evokes the emotions of youth with haunting sensitivity and dark humor and creates a coming-of-age story unlike any of our time. Adapted into a critically acclaimed film by Sofia Coppola, The Virgin Suicides is a modern classic, a lyrical and timeless tale of sex and suicide that transforms and mythologizes suburban middle-American life.

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10 comments

  • Dionna Reames
    •November 3, 2023 at 9:53 am
    Blaming and dissecting the events in this book may seem pointless, but it truly got me pondering. Who should be held accountable? The strict parents or the teenagers whose aspirations were crushed? Frustration, futility, and empathy saturate the story. The clash between generations, darkness and light, and perpetual contradictions are ever-present themes. I couldn't help but draw parallels to Peter Shaffer's play "Equus." The teenage boys and girls bring forth elements of sexuality, vitality, and passion, while the girls' stagnant environment keeps them trapped in a dying state. It's a reminder that death ultimately triumphs over life. The irony lies in questioning if they were all truly virgins. Not just physically, but also in their limited life experiences, in a place as grimy and desolate as their home. Those who appreciate psychological depth will find this book intriguing. Personally, I chose to read it as an introduction to Eugenides before diving into "Middlesex," to avoid potential disappointment in the follow-up. I gave it three stars because a more defined plot would have enhanced the book's allure.
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  • Roberto Wetzel
    •November 1, 2023 at 2:26 pm
    I absolutely adored "Middlesex" which was written by the same author, so despite the mixed reviews from other readers, I decided to give "The Virgin Suicides" a chance. While the subject of depression didn't bother me, I found the excessive details and slow-paced narration to be quite challenging. I even tried speeding up the audiobook to 1.5 times the normal speed, but it still felt dragging. The tragic nature of the subject matter is undeniable, especially considering that decades ago, there was less understanding of mental illness and limited treatment options for depression. However, the characters in this novel lacked likability and weren't fully developed enough to evoke empathy from readers. This is a crucial aspect for any protagonist to succeed in a story. The author managed to achieve this in "Middlesex," where a wide range of characters were intriguing, regardless of whether you agreed with their points of view. When readers don't care about the fate of the characters in a story, the impact of the narrative diminishes significantly. I must admit, I was extremely disappointed with this book. However, Eugenides truly showcased his brilliance in "Middlesex."
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  • Antonietta Schan
    •October 6, 2023 at 4:38 pm
    I deducted one star from the "performance" rating because the author can be a bit frustrating with his quirky pauses every now and then. However, this minor annoyance shouldn't deter you from experiencing a brilliantly written book. I highly recommend it, especially if you were a fan of the movie.
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  • Isiah Crumm
    •October 5, 2023 at 1:25 pm
    I absolutely adored Middlesex, so I decided to give this author's debut novel a try. That turned out to be a mistake. Now I'm feeling apprehensive because I've already purchased his next book. This story is quite dark, and I'm not a fan of dark stories (I despised Cold Mountain). The narration was truly terrible. It was so slow that I had to increase the speed to double, and even then it sounded normal. However, since I can't bring myself to abandon a book, I persisted in the hopes that it would get better. Right from the start, the story is perplexing. It's narrated by a neighbor of the girls who are the central focus of the story (although not all of them are virgins when the suicides occur). I can't understand why it's even titled "virgin" apart from the evident sexual fascination of these boys. And that seems to be the heart of it all. They recount the events as if they were reporting from the perspective of an investigator, yet still as a child. This was a tragic event, but it's narrated without any emotional depth. Save your credit and don't bother with this one.
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  • Kenton Tanouye
    •October 3, 2023 at 9:52 pm
    I've always been a fan of the movie, so I thought I'd give the book a try. Without a doubt, the book provides much more context than the movie, allowing you to delve deeper into the story and gain a better understanding of the characters and their situations.
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  • Yukiko B.
    •October 3, 2023 at 7:40 pm
    The sadness in 'The Virgin Suicides' doesn't stem from the obvious suicide aspect. Instead, it serves as a framework for a deeper exploration of the teenage years. The narrators, possibly in their 30s or 40s, look back and unravel the intricate details of events that occurred long ago. The book possesses a dreamlike quality, where time blends together and it becomes impossible to pinpoint specific dates, as certain aspects belong to a range spanning from the late 60s to the early 80s. The meticulous attention to detail often gets entangled in the merging of memories. In many respects, the story of the Lisbon family is ordinary, yet it also has a surreal and peculiar nature. Additionally, the narrators, despite not having shared as many experiences as depicted, engage in extensive forensic reconstruction of events. However, this mirrors the way we remember our high school years. Eugenides has impeccably captured the essence of adolescence, how we reminisce about it as adults, and the perpetual struggle of piecing everything together satisfactorily. While younger readers may find value in this book, those under 30 might not fully grasp its profound offerings.
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  • Shae Brodbeck
    •October 1, 2023 at 12:52 am
    While I definitely appreciated and at times enjoyed the incredible flair and magnificence of the prose, this book failed to resonate with me and left me feeling devoid and unfulfilled. It possessed a certain level of beauty, but in the end, it seemed devoid of purpose, which I believe was the author's intention.
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  • Leona Aaronson
    •August 18, 2023 at 11:22 pm
    After giving it three unsuccessful attempts, I finally managed to listen to this book. My persistence stemmed from my admiration for Jeffrey Eugenides' previous work. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly what turned me off about it, but I believe the narrator played a significant role. The book seemed to drag on, lacking excitement and leaving me feeling down. I found it peculiar that the story, centered around the five sisters, was written by a man and narrated by what seemed to be a young man. I couldn't help but feel a bit offended by the fact that men were attempting to convey the girls' emotions, thoughts, and experiences, despite their lack of understanding of their inner lives and the dynamics within their home. The writing itself was commendable, even exceptional at times, and I genuinely enjoyed the final few hours of the book. However, I'm uncertain if I would personally recommend it.
    0 0 •Reply

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