Questions About The Virgin Suicides

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Answered Questions (18)

Anyone else repelled by this book and its almost masturbatory reminiscence of what it felt like to be an American middle class white boy in suburbs in the 1950s, with no first-hand knowledge of girls, lusting and longing for the Lisbon Sisters, without actually being able to see them as people?

Abby The boys come to realize that their mythical/romantic view of the girls is false... but it's only after they are dead that the boys realize the girls …moreThe boys come to realize that their mythical/romantic view of the girls is false... but it's only after they are dead that the boys realize the girls are just people. And that's a really powerful thing that shouldn't repelling. It should make you think about how men, especially young men, view young women in our society.(less)

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can someone please clarify what this book is about?

Jez Keighley It's about memory, nostalgia, reminiscence, childhood, mystery, loss of innocence.

It's not really about the girls.…moreIt's about memory, nostalgia, reminiscence, childhood, mystery, loss of innocence.

It's not really about the girls.(less)

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Are there any books with similar themes that I could compare to The Virgin Suicides?

Kaley Olles The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath has a similar feel to it. While the themes might be different, the strong emotional female lead is very similar.

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Did anybody actually like this book?

Melissa Bruggeman It is beautiful.

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I saw the last 30-45 minutes of this film on TV recently, is the movie a good adaptation of the book (like, are they one in the same, or are they different)?

Amanda For me, the movie is an incredible adaptation of this book. Like any adaptation, there were changes when the novel was transformed into film, but the …moreFor me, the movie is an incredible adaptation of this book. Like any adaptation, there were changes when the novel was transformed into film, but the director really seems to understand what the novel is about. What makes this adaptation so good is how the film really captured the nostalgic and nonchalant tone of the book. I highly recommend both!(less)

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