Journal Entry 1 by girlinterrupted from Manchester, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Monday, November 25, 2002

Brilliant film - even better book! 

Journal Entry 2 by girlinterrupted from Manchester, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 04, 2002

Sent onto a fellow bookcrosser in Greece 28/11/02 

Journal Entry 3 by preveza from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, December 19, 2002

Just received this in the mail. Thanks girlinterrupted! 

Journal Entry 4 by girlinterrupted at Fellow bookcrossing member via snailmail! in Preveza, Preveza Greece on Sunday, February 02, 2003

Released on Saturday, November 02, 2002 at Fellow bookcrossing member via snailmail! in Preveza, Preveza Greece. 

Journal Entry 5 by preveza from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, March 17, 2004

Eugenides is a skilled writer, but I find him too distant, too cold to keep my interest, at least on an emotional level. 

Journal Entry 6 by preveza from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, October 28, 2004

This is off to platypussj in England...

Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 7 by platypussj from Colchester, Essex United Kingdom on Friday, November 05, 2004

Oh thank you so very much preveza - you have saved my book ring.
Writing to tabyorky now to re-start this ring. I am more pleased than you would imagine that this is back on the road.
 

Journal Entry 8 by tabyorky from Doncaster, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Received in the post today. Will put in my TBR pile and pass on as soon as possible. 

Journal Entry 9 by tabyorky from Doncaster, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, February 26, 2005

I liked this book and once I got in to the first few chapters found it hard to put down.

Have sent a PM to the next person, so once I have their address I will send the book out. 

Journal Entry 10 by tabyorky from Doncaster, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, March 02, 2005

Posted book to the next person. 

Journal Entry 11 by elhamisabel from Frankfurt am Main, Hessen Germany on Saturday, March 05, 2005

This book already arrived yesterday.
I'm very sorry, my dad left it absentmindedly in the car after recieving it from the postman until this evening.

I'll start reading it right away and will make a JE as soon as I've finished it.

Thanks very much!

 

Journal Entry 12 by elhamisabel from Frankfurt am Main, Hessen Germany on Tuesday, March 08, 2005

I finished the book just now.

I liked it very much. I've already read Middlesex by the same author and I could see that this was a kind of warm up to his later novel.

The thing I wonder, though, is the fact that someone can come up with the idea of writing a book with the story of five suicide-commiting sisters.

I've already pmed Manda77 for her address. As soon as I have it, I'll send it on.

Thanks for this ring, platypussj!


EDIT 20.03.05:

manda77 doesn't answer my pms. I've pmed moomin22 for her address. 

Journal Entry 13 by elhamisabel from Frankfurt am Main, Hessen Germany on Sunday, April 03, 2005

Sorry, totally forgot to make a JE that I've send the book to moomin22 on 31 March.

Have fun, moomin22! 

Journal Entry 14 by moomin22 from Graz, Steiermark Austria on Monday, April 04, 2005

The book arrived today and I'm about half way through it. It's pretty good so far . . .

Now that I've finished it I can say that generally I enjoyed it but the end didn't feel very satisfying. I was disappointed at first but now the more I think about it, the more that seems to fit the story. There is so little that is really conclusive about any of it. It probably would have seemed clumsy to suddenly have explanations tying everything up nicely at the end.

I'm trying to write about it without giving anything away for the people after me in the book ring! I hope you all enjoy it . . . 

Journal Entry 15 by moomin22 at in the mail in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, April 07, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (4/7/2005 UTC) at in the mail in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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Posted to tantan in Australia. The postal service here quotes 10-20 days for surface mail outside Europe so it should be with you shortly, tantan. 

Journal Entry 16 by tantan from Gympie, Queensland Australia on Saturday, April 16, 2005

Received in the mail today along with a lovely bag of stamps, with many thanks to moomin22. This is a few down on the TBR pile, but it looks like it should be a quick read once I get to it. 

Journal Entry 17 by tantan from Gympie, Queensland Australia on Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Just wanted to update that I've started reading this book, and sorry it's taken me so long to start. This won't take me long to finish so it will be moving again soon. 

Journal Entry 18 by tantan from Gympie, Queensland Australia on Friday, May 27, 2005

I can't say that this story was enjoyable, but I absolutely could not put it down! I was drawn in right from the start. The story of the Lisbon girls is told with such skill that I couldn't help but feel for them and their narrators.

This will be heading off to kirst040 as soon as I have an address. 

Journal Entry 19 by kirst040 from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, June 08, 2005

This arrived from tantan today thank you.
I had forgotten about this bookring and I have recently read this so I have PM'd moimeme for her address and will pass on as soon as I have it. 

Journal Entry 20 by kirst040 from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, June 16, 2005

This was mailed to moimeme on Tuesday 14 June. 

Journal Entry 21 by Moimeme on Monday, June 20, 2005

I received this one today. As soon as I finish the book I'm reading I'll begin The Virgin Suicides. 

Journal Entry 22 by Moimeme on Sunday, July 17, 2005

This is definitely an excellent book!! I just could not put it down. Beautiful, even being about what it is! And beautifully written too.
I'll send it to Kislany as soon as I have his/her address.

Kislany asked me to skip her, so I´m sending the book to Katcolorado tomorrow!
Posted on the 20th of July 

Journal Entry 23 by KatColorado from Zürich, Zürich Switzerland on Monday, July 25, 2005

The Virgin suicides arrived here today. It looks a bit battered, the envelope was torn open, but nothing serious.

I'm looking forward to reading it soon. 

Journal Entry 24 by KatColorado from Zürich, Zürich Switzerland on Saturday, July 30, 2005

I don't get it. I've read about half way through now and I'm just waiting. Waiting for any kind of story to begin. It must be one of these books a lot of people like a lot but I don't connect with. I'm sorry... 

Journal Entry 25 by KatColorado from Zürich, Zürich Switzerland on Wednesday, August 03, 2005

I just found the list of the bookring. It is very hidden, so for others after me, check out here 

Journal Entry 26 by KatColorado at on Monday, August 08, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (8/9/2005 UTC) at

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The Virgin Suicides will travel on to France tomorrow... 

Journal Entry 27 by plumedelapin on Thursday, August 18, 2005

just received, thank you Katcolorado. 

Journal Entry 28 by Crestfallen from Barreiro, Setúbal Portugal on Sunday, March 26, 2006

Hello everyone, sorry to take so long to make this journal entry. I fought depression for the last 6 months, and of course it was hard to focus on anything else. Anyway, I feel fine now, thank god.
I liked the book very much. It's a very sad story but I actually couldn´t stop reading to find out the events surrouding the Lisbon family, always wanted to know more... as their own neighood, specially the boys.


Kiss, Kiss, hug,hug 

Journal Entry 29 by Crestfallen at on Monday, February 12, 2007

Released 5 yrs ago (2/12/2007 UTC) at

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It's time for this book to continue its journey. It's been in my bookshelf for too long.. so, I've decided to organise a BookRay with it.

The participants are so far:
1. MadameClock(Braga, Portugal);
2. Dukesa (Lisboa);
3. LeishaCamden (Oslo, Norway- surface outside europe;
4.biffin44(High Wycombe, UK);
5.Red-Ram (Alabama, USA);
6.rebel-padawan(Minnesota, USA;
7. silvia_pco(Murtosa, Aveiro, Portugal);

If anyone else wants to join, please send me a PM.
Thanks!!
 

Journal Entry 30 by MadameClock from Braga, Braga Portugal on Friday, February 23, 2007

after a few days at the mail basement, here it is! 

Journal Entry 31 by MadameClock from Braga, Braga Portugal on Friday, February 23, 2007

after a few days at the mail basement, here it is! 

Journal Entry 32 by MadameClock from Braga, Braga Portugal on Tuesday, April 10, 2007

what a terrific writing, seriously, between all the dense storytelling, i couldn't help some smiles because there are some sweet details, some gruesome comments, some things that are really original to think of...i should read more from this guy!
loved the film but even more the book!

only now will i PM Dukesa, i finished it today at dublin's airport! 

Journal Entry 33 by Dukesa from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Wednesday, April 25, 2007

It arrived yesterday by mail :)
I already started reading it, but it's too soon to say anything about it...

Thank you Crestfallen and MadameClock :D 

Journal Entry 34 by Dukesa from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Wednesday, May 23, 2007

I finished reading it a few days ago.. it's a great book! I just loved it!
The way the story developes, how, at first, you know very little about the girls and throughout the story you get to know them a bit better, the way you're always in the expectation to know when the next one is going to die... And that final twist... I had to read it about 4 times to believe it!
The descriptions are great, you can almost feel the smells he describes... Awsome!

I already have LeishaCamden's address, I'll mail the book as soon as I can.
Thank you girlinterrupted and Crestfallen for this great book! :D 

Journal Entry 35 by LeishaCamden from Alna bydel, Oslo fylke Norway on Tuesday, June 26, 2007

This book arrived in the mail from Portugal yesterday. It looks like a very well travelled and well read book! ;-) I'm looking forward to reading this, I've seen the movie and thought it was beautiful but slightly otherworldly somehow. Not quite down to earth. :-) It'll be interesting to see how the book compares. I'll journal again when I've read the book. 

Journal Entry 36 by LeishaCamden from Alna bydel, Oslo fylke Norway on Wednesday, July 11, 2007

I just started reading this book this afternoon - I haven't gotten far, only about 15 pages :-) but I wanted to journal it, anyway, as the book is about to make another little trip. I will be taking it with me to our cabin in the mountains (will be there with my family July 13th-22nd) in the area of Norway called Rondane. It's about six hours from here by car. It's a national park area and quite uncivilized (three family cabins and one resort/hotel kind of place, no cell phone reception, barely radio reception). I wouldn't be surprised if it's the first BookCrossing book ever to make its way there. ;-)

I'll journal again when I get home, to share my thoughts on the book. Thanks again to everyone! 

Journal Entry 37 by LeishaCamden from Alna bydel, Oslo fylke Norway on Monday, July 30, 2007

I finished this book on Saturday, July 14th. Sorry for taking a while to journal it - summer vacation! :-D plus I was kind of gathering my thoughts ...

A little hard to know what I think about this book exactly, I did like it a lot in many ways, but in some ways I didn't quite like it, also. If that makes sense. :-) I thought it was an intriguing story and with fascinating characters ... but not quite believable as I didn't, and don't, feel at all convinced that anything like this could happen in real life. It's just a little too OT for me. But I guess that's what suspension of disbelief is all about ... :-)

The one thing I totally hated is that the word principal has been replaced with the word headmaster in this British edition. I'm sure that's what must have happened as no American would use the word headmaster. Such a substitution is SO unnecessary and even wrong. I mean, the book is set in the US. Isn't that part of the point of reading about other countries, that you learn about the different words and phrases used there to describe things? So why take a typically American word out and replace it with a typically British word, which just sounds so wrong in this setting? I mean, We Must Not Challenge The Reader! should so not be a guideline for publishers of fiction ...

Fortunately the rest of the words were acceptable to me. ;-) I really enjoyed the writing, it had a kind of dreamlike quality which set the book apart. Eugenides really has a wonderful grasp of language - quite poetic for a prose text. The book was very easy to read, you're just drawn from page to page. :-)

I was impressed with the way in which the author seemed to share so many details, yet left so many things so vague. I couldn't even get a hold of how many there were of the narrators. Was there even more than one? And what kind of people were they - then and now? What was the influence that the girls had on these boys, and were they aware of it? If the girls hadn't killed themselves, how would the boys' lives have been different? It's hard to answer that question as the author doesn't really tell us what their lives are like now. Quite a feat, actually. :-)

Thank you everyone for sharing!! I just got biffin44's address today, so the book will be travelling onwards very soon. :-) Thank you!! 

Journal Entry 38 by LeishaCamden at mailed to next reader in Postal release, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Released 4 yrs ago (8/1/2007 UTC) at mailed to next reader in Postal release, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases

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This book will be off to biffin44 in Buckinghamshire this afternoon. I hope to catch this day's mail. Happy trails, little book! :-) 

Journal Entry 39 by biffin44 from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire United Kingdom on Friday, August 17, 2007

Received this afternoon - thanks very much, just finishing another book and will crack on with this. 

Journal Entry 40 by biffin44 from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Finished reading this last night, and really enjoyed it!!! I can understand a couple of people's comments that it doesnt go anywhere - but i think it's not supposed to. It's more about the atmosphere of the town the story's set in. And about the life changes the boys who narrate the story are going through - and maybe how that skews their perspective of events. Havent seen the film of this but will try and get to see it sometime soon.

I PMed Red-Ram when i received this but no response. However I can see from their bookshelf that they are waiting for this book - so have just PMed again and will give it another week or so before moving onto the next recipient if this doesnt bother anyone....

Ok - have posted in forum too but no news from Red-ram, will PM rebel-padawan for details and move this one along.

Still no news from Red-Ram so this'll be off to Rebel-padawan tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 41 by rebel-padawan from Redlake, Minnesota USA on Monday, October 01, 2007

I have had this book for a couple days now, and I finished it on the bus ride home from work the other day. I seen the movie a couple years back, and found to book to be similar.
I had hoped that I would find out the reasoning as to why they committed suicide, but the book doesn't offer that information.
All in all, I loved the book. I kept seeing Kirsten Dunst as Lux and Josh Hartnett as Trip. I'll pm the next person so this can get underway again. Ahh, I see this is going overseas once more, so it'll have to wait for payday (friday) before heading off to the climes of Portugal. 

Journal Entry 42 by rebel-padawan from Redlake, Minnesota USA on Monday, October 01, 2007

I have contacted silvia-pco (the name was written wrong on the ray list) for an address.
Thank you fellow BXers for your help!