The Virgins by Pamela Erens

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


At the exclusive Auburn prep school in New Hampshire it’s not just about passing exams and getting into an equally exclusive college. It’s about who you are, where you’re from, your friends, your group, relationships and sex.
The novel centres around the relationship of Aviva, a Jewish girl and Seung, a Korean boy told through the eyes of Bruce, a boy who fancies himself in love with Aviva.
Seung and Aviva are the talk of Auburn, their attraction is all consuming and fascinating to students and staff alike; some disapprove and some dream of having the same lust-fuelled, idyllic relationship that in their minds Seung and Aviva have. Everyone is entirely unaware of the angst and unhappiness that is the reality of their relationship, of the confusion, self-doubt, guilt and shame that begins to take over their lives, for despite outward appearances Seung and Aviva remain virgins throughout their relationship. For Seung, a Korean upbringing means his relationship with the Jewish Aviva is not entirely approved of by his family who have very strong values and would like Seung to be the perfect Korean son, a fact he rebels against with his drug use. Aviva is the product of an unhappy family and has asked to go to Auburn to escape, to find happiness and revel in her newfound sexuality that never actually comes to fruition.
As the relationship continues and each blames themselves for their failure to consummate the relationship, not understanding the reasons and the confusion that mill around each others minds, events spiral out of control with devastating consequences.
Bruce as the voyeuristic narrator weaves together an excellent scenario, pieced together from his own observations and word of mouth, which conveys with precision the self doubt and loathing, fear, guilt and the urge to be grown up that most teens have. The beautifully descriptive writing from Pam Erens takes you right into the mindsets of not only Seung and Aviva but Bruce and their fellow students also and probably of every teen since time began. Everyone has their turmoil and everyone has a front behind which they hide. There is a sense of timelessness to this novel despite it being set in 1979, I’m positive every reader will recognise themselves or someone they knew in the characters. Not particularly likeable characters but nevertheless strong and well written. Bruce’s observations draw in the reader and although it is him filling in gaps and imagining, it is a very realistic and painful story he tells that will resonate with anyone.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder&Stoughton for the ARC of this book.