The hosts discuss their return after a break and introduce 'The Virgin Suicides', a book about people trapped in their homes. They reflect on their surprising love for the book and explore the allure of its title. They discuss their past reading preferences and idolization of Sylvia Plath. The accurate portrayal of teenage girls in the book is praised and female characters in literature are analyzed. The challenges of reaching consensus on action and the complexities of grief and obsession are explored. The author's sympathy towards women and anticipation for future podcasts are discussed.
The novel explores themes of gender, social expectations, and the desire to break free from confinement.
The story raises questions about the impact of suicide on communities and the complexities of human psychology.
The podcast discusses the role of obsession, nostalgia, and the allure of revisiting childhood memories in the novel.
Deep dives
The Complex Narration and Unique Structure of the Book
The Virgin Suicides is narrated by a collective 'we' of middle-aged men who collect artifacts and memories of the tragic events surrounding the Lisbon girls. The narrative style is distinctive and engaging, as it delves into the memories and emotions of the men, offering a unique perspective on the story.
Themes of Gender, Confinement, and Social Pressure
The book explores themes of gender and the restrictive nature of social expectations, particularly for teenage girls. It delves into the strictness and confinement of the Lisbon household, portraying the struggles and desires of the girls to break free from societal constraints. The novel also delves into the complexities of sexual identity, desire, and how these intersect with societal expectations.
The Tragic Events and the Role of Suicide
The book revolves around the tragic suicides of the Lisbon girls, with each sister taking her own life over the course of a year. The story delves into the aftermath of these events, the effect it has on the community, and the haunting memories that linger. It raises questions about the contagious nature of suicide and the impact it has on those left behind.
Exploring the fascination with the Lisbon girls and their suicides
The podcast episode delves into the mysterious and morbid intrigue surrounding the Lisbon girls and their suicides. It discusses the fascination people have with understanding why they took their own lives, as suicide remains an unanswerable question. The podcast highlights how suicide is a topic that lends itself to narrative exploration, allowing writers to delve into the complexities and unknowns of human psychology. It also poses the question of who the healing and commemoration efforts are really for, prompting reflection on the importance of prioritizing the needs of those directly affected by tragedy.
The significance of obsession and nostalgia for childhood
The podcast also reflects on the role of obsession and nostalgia for childhood in the novel. It explores how the adult characters in the story, much like the narrator's own father who was fixated on the Kennedy assassination, project their own feelings of lost innocence onto the Lisbon girls. The podcast suggests that the intense focus on the Lisbon girls is an attempt to reclaim and understand a pivotal moment of transition in their lives. It also discusses the universal allure of revisiting childhood memories and the way time seems to stretch and hold more weight during that period, leading to a deep fascination with the past.
CONTENT WARNING: frequent, graphic mentions of suicide
We're back after a short break with more Covid-appropriate reading material, and what's more pandemic-y than The Virgin Suicides, a book where everyone dies and no one leaves their house. We talk about bad faith readings, Lolita, Sylvia Plath, the 'we' voice, suburbia, and Jeffrey's talent for smells.
Caroline O'Donoghue has two books out, the most recent of which is Scenes of a Graphic Nature and is available in all book shops from August 6th
Ella Risbridger is the author of Midnight Chicken and Set Me On Fire, as well as a forthcoming children's fiction series The Secret Detectives
