Six

The Virgin Suicides - Jeffrey Eugenides

Eugenides' debut novel opens with an attempt at suicide, and ends with the death of the five Lisbon sisters, set in 1970's suburbia. It is Narrated by the boys who were obsessed with these very girls while they were alive, getting together and looking back on the events and situations that led to their ultimate demise. The title of the novel is derived from a song by the fictional band "Cruel Crux" a favorite of Lux, who is actually of a questionable morality, despite her overly-religious and over-bearing parents.

The novel follows the progression of Bonnie, Mary, Therese, and Lux, after the death of the youngest Lisbon sister, Cecilia. The girls become isolated and anti-social, and slowly their lives fall apart.

The unique style of narrative is quite possibly what makes this book such a page-turner. Compiled from the 'diary entries, notes, and heresey of various characters', the book leaves many questions unanswered, and it is up to the reader to assume exactly how things happened.

Although the subject matter is depressing, and at times, grotesque, the added element of not knowing and not understanding the motives of the characters adds a surreal quality to the book.

The book itself is not simply about the suicides of five teenage girls, it is about the most mundane aspects of human experience, and the empty spectacle of a society that claims to understand but only succeeds in feeding its own selfish interests.

Although some may find the ending unfulfilling, the book is compelling, and wonderfully written with great imagery.