27: The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides – Novel vs. Film

27: The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides – Novel vs. Film


In Episode 27 Gen and Jette discuss The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides. We watch the film adaptation directed by Sofia Coppola and look at how it holds up to the novel. We love a good adaptation, and this was no exception. Both the book and the film strike a certain mood, and Sofia Coppola does an incredible job translating the story to film.

This gave us the opportunity to have a fun movie night with some of our friends. We watched The Virgin Suicides together and it sparked some excellent discussion. It also led us down a nostalgic path to 1999, admiring a young Josh Hartnett and Kirsten Dunst. Not to mention the music. It somehow perfectly encapsulates this time period in which it doesn’t even take place. We love it maybe just a little.

We dedicate this episode to sad girls everywhere.



Show Notes

Check out the Toronto filming locations.

Our love for Giovanni Ribisi is real.

The soundtrack to the film features Air, Styx, and Sloan, and it’s wonderful.

Check out this article in the New Yorker that perfectly describes our love for this story: “The Virgin Suicides still holds the mysteries of adolescence.”



Books and Media Mentioned

Sneaky Pete starring Giovanni Ribisi

Sofia Coppola’s other films: Lost in Translation, Marie Antoinette, The Bling Ring

Middlesex and The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman


episode 27- the virgin suicides by jeffrey eugenides - another book on the shelf podcast - pin