I actually read this book only last year. I live in India. The treatment of the girls and especially the incident you pick out of desire that turns into disgust once it is actually being fulfilled, reminds me of the fantasy-imbued misogyny in south Asian culture. Here the male gaze is predatory, full of adulation and lust but simultaneously disgusted by the idea of women as sexual beings. The book was, for me, a window into my own adolescent experiences in small town India.
your analysis is super compelling 🫶🏻 especially the part about the infected elm trees, i have never thought of the neighborhood’s condemnation against individuality that way. genius
I haven't read the book, but loved your analysis. So in-depth and thought-provoking! The lisbon sisters' lives were heartbreaking, and its just awful how the boy tired of Lux when she clearly needed help. Also, people still behave the same way when a tragedy takes place in their midst: remove the picket fence but not understand the root cause.
I haven’t read the book in a while and this was a great reminder of how compelling it was. thanks so much for writing this. (Btw, the movie came out in 1999, not 1999. 😊)
Oh wow, an English class called Girlhood? That’s incredible, I wish I would have gotten the chance to take something like that. I remember reading The Virgin Suicides for the first time as well, changed my perspective on a lot of things. Great analysis :)
Thank you. This was such a well-written essay about this story, and made me think deeper about the themes, I immediately subscribed to hear more of your thoughts.
I actually read this book only last year. I live in India. The treatment of the girls and especially the incident you pick out of desire that turns into disgust once it is actually being fulfilled, reminds me of the fantasy-imbued misogyny in south Asian culture. Here the male gaze is predatory, full of adulation and lust but simultaneously disgusted by the idea of women as sexual beings. The book was, for me, a window into my own adolescent experiences in small town India.
This book is my next read. I love your essay today. We do love cult books about girlhood. 💌💕
thank you!!!! and yes we do
your analysis is super compelling 🫶🏻 especially the part about the infected elm trees, i have never thought of the neighborhood’s condemnation against individuality that way. genius
thank you!!
I haven't read the book, but loved your analysis. So in-depth and thought-provoking! The lisbon sisters' lives were heartbreaking, and its just awful how the boy tired of Lux when she clearly needed help. Also, people still behave the same way when a tragedy takes place in their midst: remove the picket fence but not understand the root cause.
thank you so much! and yes i completely agree on all counts.
this is so beautifully written. excited for the other book essays! 💗
thank you! next one is coming tonight!
beautiful read, i’ve loved this book for the longest time 🎀🫶💋
omg i am a huuuuuge fan of your page!!! <3 thank you
STOP ELLE I LOVE U!!!!
I loved The Virginia Suicides.i haven't read any of his other books. I recently read the Bluest Eye which is banned in some SC schools.
the bluest eye is one of the most important books i've ever read. the fact that book banning is happening is so dystopian and insane.
I haven’t read the book in a while and this was a great reminder of how compelling it was. thanks so much for writing this. (Btw, the movie came out in 1999, not 1999. 😊)
thank you!
Starting with this book now after reading this essay 🖤
yay!
I loved this book, I love this author. I love this essay!! 🖤
thank you!
Wonderful essay and also a class named "Girlhood" sounds like a dream!
thank you!
I'm late to the party but this was a beautiful essay. I read this book in highschool and you perfectly summarize what I couldn't then.
thank you!!
loved reading this 💜
thank you!
Oh wow, an English class called Girlhood? That’s incredible, I wish I would have gotten the chance to take something like that. I remember reading The Virgin Suicides for the first time as well, changed my perspective on a lot of things. Great analysis :)
it was one of my favorite classes, and my class coincidentally ended up being all girls as well! we had a lot of fun.
Oh man, I would have loved to take a Girlhood course. Also loved your perspective on the fence removal, it had never occurred to me.
it was a huge thing that jumped out at me! it was so tragic, the way the girls were symbolized through a picket fence.
Thank you. This was such a well-written essay about this story, and made me think deeper about the themes, I immediately subscribed to hear more of your thoughts.
thank you!