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Original poster

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

29 replies

WhatInTheWorld76 · 21/05/2017 09:12

Sad I've just finished reading this and have found it quite haunting and perplexing. Has anyone read this? Did anyone understand why?

Can anyone share any insight they may have. I'm well aware that as the title suggested certain tragedies would occur but I'm still reeling as I think I missed clues as to why. Anyone read this or remember reading it who can enlighten me? It's left me feeling rather odd. I feel like I've missed a key message.
TIA.

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/05/2017 15:03

I really like it - have read it a couple of times, and have just bought it cheap on Kindle for a re-read.

I don;t think it matters what the 'point' was. It's supposed to feel as if there wasn't really any reason and that the suicides become contagious whilst not being particularly explainable.

anon1987 · 21/05/2017 10:58

I've never read the book, but I have watched the film.
I have to admit it doesn't exactly explain why they kill themselves either 🤔

Original poster
WhatInTheWorld76 · 21/05/2017 10:48

My only other thought was that he was trying to make the point that only the individual can truly understand why? That the decision is entirely personal. But then i also felt that since the first chapter a "plague" of sorts hit the girls and that's why they did it? I couldn't find any info to confirm or deny other motives. So my only conclusion was that it was inevitable from the beginning? But that doesn't explain why? Arrrrggghhh.

OP posts:
lessthanBeau · 21/05/2017 09:17

I read this years ago, like you l feel l totally missed something along the way. There just seems to be no reason behind it at all.