Steph Reads: "The Virgin Suicides"

      I just finished up 'The Virgin Suicides' by Jeffrey Euginedes and I must say, it was a refreshing read. Amidst all the chick-lits and light-hearted books I've been reading this book stands out as raw, beautiful, and original.  The story follows a 1970's Summer following the suicide of one of the five Lisbon sisters.  These girls are the sirens of the quiet Michigan street and attract the whispers and attention of onlookers at their school and in their neighborhood. The story is told in the point of view of the men who as boys tried to understand and get to know the Lisbon girls through secret messages, late night stake-outs, and decoding diaries and artifacts.  The story delves into various themes including loss of innocence, the feeling of being trapped, and changing times when you're not ready to let go.
      What I find so appealing about this book is the imagery used to describe every movement, action, and character in this story. Jeffrey Eugenides paints vivid pictures leaving little up to the imagination on the scenes set forth in this novel.  Some scenes are described so beautifully that there is a certain creepiness to some scenes in the book when beauty and grace are juxtaposed onto a scene filled with blood and horror.
     I recommend this book to readers looking for an interesting read filled with beautiful and sometimes startling imagery that will leave you with images burned into your brain. If you aren't interested in reading about the mysterious Lisbon girls then you can watch the movie adaptation currently on Netflix instant stream. I felt it was a solid portrayal of this book and captured its essence well.

xxSJ

Check out my other Steph Reads posts!
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
The Husband's Secret by Lianne Moriarty
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
What Alice Forgot by Lianne Moriarty
Uninvited by Sophie Jordan
Splintered by AG Howard
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Beneath the Glitter by Elle and Blair Fowler