Book info

• Title
• Author Jeffrey Eugenides
• Year
• Genres

Thoughts

This was a Kindle Daily Deal book snapped up for 99p (although weirdly I can’t find a Kindle version anymore) and I read it almost immediately it arrived. The name rang a bell in my head for some reason, but I can’t figure out why as I haven’t seen the film or read this before. Anyway, it was good, moving and thoughtful, unusual and, of course, incredibly depressing.

You go into the book knowing exactly what you’re getting, within the first few paragraphs you know there are a family of five sisters who all kill themselves. The odd style of narration (third person plural) gives it an inclusive edge, and allows for the story to cover all kinds of things that just one person wouldn’t know. Presenting the evidence of the Lisbon girls’ short lives and abrupt deaths, the story meanders to its heartbreaking conclusion in a compelling and tasteful way.

There are times when I’m worried about the obsession of the narrators, and times when I can’t figure out why no one did anything to help, but equally, I can see how something like this could happen. It’s shocking and difficult to read at times, but ultimately worthwhile.

Rating: Unrated