I picked up this book last month after having seen it recommended at the bookstore back home in the Bay, as the book is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Of course, Sofia Coppola’s The Virgin Suicides film originally put it on the map, it’s been on my radar to watch for a while and I thought I’d read the original source material for the movie, first.

With a few pages in and two dedicated days to read it, I finished it. And although I was a bit put off at first, I’m glad I saw this one through. The writing is beautiful, with the material itself reading sad and tragic yet beautiful.

As my 3rd book of 2025, here’s my Goodreads review below:

This book was initially weird at first — a tale of five dreamy blonde sisters being carefully watched in the neighborhood suburbs by teenage boys who fantasize and dream about what it is to interact with these girls?

Umm. A little creepy. But knowing how loved this novel is, as well as being a fan of Sofia Coppola’s and wanting to dive into the source material… I gave it a chance to see it through. And I’m so glad I did.

It’s 25 years since this came out and I stumbled on it at the bookstore. And I have to say, Eugenides’ writing is lush and mesmerizing, making the seemingly mundane sound so poetic and tantalizing. From mundane suburban things and everyday happenings, to the way he describes the boys’ observations or trying to make sense of the girls’ suicide, and perhaps what brought them to it… what was most striking was not so much figuring out why they did it (this ain’t a whodunnit story), but rather a long and winding reminiscence over moments with the girls, watching them at school, hoping to interact with them, their few interactions with some of the boys, to each of the sisters’ little quirks, and all of their collected memories told into one.

The tale itself is tragic and sad. At times things are so lustrous, it’s humorous. Eugenides really is able to tap into the teenage male POV, while also staying consistent with his gaze in a way that almost… doesn’t feel too creepy? Am I enjoying this too much?

There’s some sexy scenes. There are some very illustrious and detailed gore scenes. He writes in a way that describes the most mundane things into something completely fascinating, making connections I would’ve never expected, but work.

It’s addicting. Besides the boys never quite understanding the girls, and Eugenides writing a whole book on them, detailing the aftermath of their tragic downfall felt throughout the entire neighborhood, the book still romanticizes over these remembered moments. Their death isn’t a shock. It’s more enticing to read what moments were shared. And feel like a teenager, and sympathize with their tragedy, in a sense.

The girls may be the ultimate “manic pixie dream girls” for these boys who never can quite “touch them” and find these girls “untouchable” as they gaze from their treehouses and homes. They state they’re in love, without ever really knowing these girls. And this book details that whole idea so well.

I wanted to read this before seeing the film, and now I just can’t wait to see how Coppola translated this dreamy, surreal, idyllic, odd, at times funny, and ultimately tragic tale. I needed an extra “push” to get through this… and I’m kind of glad I saw the end through. It’s something when a writer can, too, draw you into the spell of the Lisbon sisters.

Read from: May 30, 2025 – Jun 16, 2025

I’m on a book-spree this year, and determined to read more (especially in this age of digital burnout)! What’s next?

With love and honesty,

Rachel