description The Virgins Overview
The Virgins is a 2010 novel by Pamela Erens, not a 1982 novel by Anne Bernays. Set at an elite New England boarding school, it examines the relationship between two students, Aviva and Seung, through the account of a classmate who is preoccupied with their lives. The novel explores adolescence, desire, social identity, privilege, and the limits of an outsider's attempt to understand other people.
help The Virgins FAQ
When was Pamela Erens's The Virgins published?
The novel was published by Tin House Books in 2013, while its story is set in 1979 at Auburn Academy. The setting year and publication year are easy to mix up. [Pamela Erens](https://www.pamelaerens.com/the-virgins)
Who narrates The Virgins?
The story is reconstructed by Bruce Bennett-Jones, a classmate who begins as a voyeur and later describes himself as repentant. His obsession shapes how readers see Aviva Rossner and Seung Jung. [Penguin Random House](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/825497/the-virgins-by-pamela-erens/)
Who are Aviva Rossner and Seung Jung?
They are an unlikely couple at the elite East Coast boarding school Auburn Academy. Aviva is Jewish, while Seung is Korean American and under pressure from his immigrant parents. [Penguin Random House](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/825497/the-virgins-by-pamela-erens/)
Does the title mean Aviva and Seung have sex?
The novel centers on their sexual awakening and on classmates' belief that their relationship is openly erotic. The publisher's synopsis says their virginity remains intact as the relationship moves toward shame, betrayal, and disaster. [Penguin Random House](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/825497/the-virgins-by-pamela-erens/)
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