The Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge discussion

February 2021's book chosen was The Virgin Suicides.

Kim will be our discussion leader for this month. Watch for her first discussion post. I'll change the books on the group page at the end of the month.

Hi everyone!

Reading schedule:
Feb 7-- chapters 1 and 2
Feb 14-- chapter 3
Feb 21-- chapter 4
Feb 28-- chapter 5

Please note that chapter 3 is quite long (the reading is 2x pages of the first week). Breaking it up by chapters was the easiest, especially for those of us who have ebooks and can't see page numbers 😬🙃.

Feel free to read ahead, but please mark spoilers if you are going to be talking about portions of the book further than the schedule above.

Thank you, ladies!

I haven’t read this one before so I was hoping it was going to be the February choice 📖 look forward to it 😊

I have read The Virgin Suicides. Great cult classic and play list. Look forward to your discussion.

Message 2 updated with a reading schedule!

I'm so excited this book was chosen and am looking forward to discussing it with y'all 🙂

Great reading schedule Kim. Look forward to getting started. I might be a bit behind depending on when my library gets the book

Helene wrote: "Great reading schedule Kim. Look forward to getting started. I might be a bit behind depending on when my library gets the book"

Thank you!!! It's really nice to hear positive words on the schedule, I actually really struggled with it (I'm sick right now, so my brain is easily confused).

Feel free to jump in whenever you are able to get the book :) I just was able to get checkout my copy this morning (thank goodness for ebooks and not having to leave the house to pick them up), hope you have a short wait!

Yes right now it isn’t all that tempting to leave the house but I’m waiting on a hard copy. Prefer to read them like that than e books but sometimes that’s not an option and that’s fine too. I think I’m late to the party with this book. Feel like it was very popular and everyone has already read it or something. Or watched the film.

It didn’t look like it was a very long book so hopefully I should be able to catch up to you. I really appreciate a reading schedule. It might help more people join too if they can see how to manage to read it in a month. Great job

Thanks for the schedule, looking forward to the chat!

Kim wrote: "Hi everyone!

Reading schedule:
Feb 7-- chapters 1 and 2
Feb 14-- chapter 3
Feb 21-- chapter 4
Feb 28-- chapter 5

Please note that chapter 3 is quite long (the reading is 2x pages of the first we..."Woowzie...A schedule...mmm a re read for sure...I dug it out of my subterranean library and will join in. Lux and Trip forever...

Never read this one, but now have it on hold via the Libby app. Looking forward to discussing.

Helene wrote: "Yes right now it isn’t all that tempting to leave the house but I’m waiting on a hard copy. Prefer to read them like that than e books but sometimes that’s not an option and that’s fine too. I thin..."

Hold up, there's a movie??????
(I'm also very behind with this one-- surprised I didn't read it when I was younger!)

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0159097/?r...

It starred Kirsten Dunst 😊I haven’t watched it but it has the same title so I assume it is based on the book. I hope to start it tomorrow 😊

Any reactions to the first two chapters? I am almost done with the first one (and have all day to read!), so I can't ask very specific questions.

I did find it interesting that the first paragraph of chapter one essentially tells what would be the ending of another book. We know where we are going from the beginning, just not exactly how it'll look. I'm sure there will be twists to this story, but right now, I can't see how Eugenides would be able to throw anything too shocking and plot-twisting.


PS- Thank you, Helene!

I just watched the movie on Amazon Prime a few days ago.
And so I´m super excited to be finally reading the book (that everyone seems to have already read but me)

I agree Kim. However, getting from page one to the end is essentially what a book is about and even though we know what will happen, the details are what make it readable. It is certainly an interesting idea. Although, I don't understand the reason the daughter's have for committing suicide.

Deb wrote: "I agree Kim. However, getting from page one to the end is essentially what a book is about and even though we know what will happen, the details are what make it readable. It is certainly an intere..."

It feels like we are getting little hints at the reason? IDK but some things seemed off or focused on a ton when it wasn't a big deal, so I'm guessing the reason will eventually be revealed?

Donzo with ch 2 and I like the book so far around 3.5-4/5 stars. Excited to dive into the next chapter!

It is a very interesting style of writing I think. I like that we sort of know what we are heading towards, just not the how and the why. It makes a different type of suspense. Look forward to keep reading it and see where it takes us

I've read this book about years ago and I love it. I'm curious about my re-read. I didn't like the movie because is was too pink and silly — and the fact they totally skip all the nuances of Cecilia (my favorite one).

Maybe if I had watched the movie before the book I would enjoy because Sophia made pretty movies. I think The Virgin Suicides is more something like Lynch — if we think of 'dreamy movies'.

Good reading to all!

I think it's a pretty bold device - to put the ending in front of us like that. It makes the entire book readable, as opposed to readers rushing through details to find out what happens. Here, we don't have to rush. We know what happens.

I... think? I like it so far. I try not to be a stinky cheese but teenage boys' narration annoys me sometimes. I do enjoy that it makes me think back to when I was young and what life was like for me as a teen - but then I'm reminded I really hated that stage in my life and I'm over the reminiscing pretty quickly, haha. I dipped my toes into chapter 3 and am liking that a bit more - but I'll wait until we can talk about that chapter!

I'm also super curious about the movie. I'd never heard of this book or the movie before, so I'm interested in how the book translates to the big screen.

I am curious about the movie too Rosa. Will probably watch it when I am finished with the book. Just got through chapter four today so only one chapter left of the book. Look forward to discussing it. Don’t want to say anything at all now to ruin things for anybody. I find it good so far. Different but not in a bad way.

Наталія wrote: "I think it's a pretty bold device - to put the ending in front of us like that. It makes the entire book readable, as opposed to readers rushing through details to find out what happens. Here, we d..."

I like that perspective! I'm thinking of other books I've read that the titles hint at what's to come and I just rush through to find out what's going on. I'm reading this at a less frantic pace.

Thanks for that perspective :)

Rosa wrote: "I... think? I like it so far. I try not to be a stinky cheese but teenage boys' narration annoys me sometimes. I do enjoy that it makes me think back to when I was young and what life was like for ..."

I'm having the same reaction! The teenage boys... ugh annoying narrators, but as you said the teen years are *special* and I remember being so annoyed with teenage boys at the time. I'm probably associating some of their mannerisms and comments to the annoying boys of my teenage years.

Helene wrote: "...different but not in a bad way."

That's such an accurate one-sentence summary!

Thoughts now that we're through chapter three?

I feel so sorry for the girls-- it became apparent how controlling their mother is. I know all teens feel locked up, held back by their parents, etc. at times... but Mrs. Lisbon seems like she's got more going on. The girls may be exaggerating a little about how they are treated, but Mrs. Libson is definitely off.

I loved seeing the girls at the dance-- it was so sweet how Trip went to Mr. Libson and came up with a plan that would make it possible for the girls to go to the dance. And at the dance, the girls shined and we got to see parts of their personalities, vs. the rest of the book where they're just kind of a lump group of indistinguishable sisters.

I still would rate this around 3.5 or 4 out of 5 stars.

The book has really picked up now that I'm past chapter 3. I, too, have enjoyed the girls' "unmasking," so to speak. Getting to see past the boys' hearsay, and that of other townsfolk, has been really nice.

Another thing I've liked is that I found myself getting sucked into the gossip (which I'm sure is intentional and totally brilliant). It's terrible, but like a lot of the people in the book, I found myself wanting to know more, wanting the jucier details. The more voyeuristic the people in the book get, the more I get sucked into that same voyeur. I'm ashamed, and also in awe of the author.

And Mrs. Lisbon is completely out of line and off her rocker. I dislike her so much.

Rosa wrote: "Another thing I've liked is that I found myself getting sucked into the gossip (which I'm sure is intentional and totally brilliant). It's terrible, but like a lot of the people in the book, I found myself wanting to know more, wanting the jucier details. The more voyeuristic the people in the book get, the more I get sucked into that same voyeur. I'm ashamed, and also in awe of the author. "

I feel the same way about getting into the gossip! I also think Eugenides' writing style tends towards gossipy-- the paragraphs are so long! It's like he has to jam everything in before each break.

*k

So I will get the ebook from my library in 5 weeks. So its a reread for me too.

How is everyone feeling with the ending?

I have a few pages left and plan on reading before bed tonight :)

Unless something dramatically earth-shattering happens, I'll rate this one a 3.5 or 4. It was good... but also really weird (not in a bad way, I just can't think of a word that accurately describes it).

I finished about a week ago and found that I really enjoyed the read after all. I've not had anyone close to me end their life, but I know people that have. It can be devastating to them to search for answers they will never get, which is I think what the author is highlighting. You get to know the side that people choose to reveal to you, but there is so much more to people than we will ever know and trying to figure out the "why's" is speculation at best.

I loved the quote that said that they committed suicede because they refused to live on our planet as it had been passed down to them (or something along those lines). I agree with your rating, Kim!

I just finished the book. I got it earlier than I expected. Its pretty short.
I cant understand this, the whole town knew what was going on and Mr Lisbon even got fired for not being able to deal with his life. Now a days social services would have been there taking the girls away.
I think they knew they would never be able to truly get away from their family. You wonder about the abuse. When the mother goes to hit Lux on the porch and stops because she thought she was being watched. What else was going on in the house to abuse thosegirls?
Also, when the boys are talking about the photographs they stop when Therese is 12

Comment continued here.
So, what happened to the family that they just stopped doing things, taking photos, decided to be supremely strict about everything. I realize raising 5 girls is hard, but they still need love and affection.
I felt sorry for the girls and how they dealt with the loss of affection in different ways.
I love how they looked after one another too. But, I feel like that alienated them in some ways too. They mention how girls felt that they couldnt talk to them. I found the whole thing interesting, but at the same time very sad. I havent watched the movie but I plan to soon.

Stephanie wrote: "Comment continued here.
So, what happened to the family that they just stopped doing things, taking photos, decided to be supremely strict about everything. I realize raising 5 girls is hard, but ..."
Mental illness. The family and the community really let these girls down. Raising kids is tough and you have to constantly adjust to their different personalities and situations. Some of the strict rules seem so ridiculous. Teens especially need breathing room. They will make mistakes and the parents in this case were not open to that. The girls were stifled and they saw no end in sight. The teen mind is very dramatic to begin with. Can you imagine the isolation and desperation? So much so that they ended their lives. And no one stepped in... no friends, or teachers, neighbors...church...

Yeah. Its just so sad as the whole town knew about it. In the 1960’s or 1970’s (not sure when this is set exactly) mental illness was stigmatized. Sadly.