Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - Rosemary's Baby

I watched Rosemary's Baby for the first time in 2021 and I became besotted with it quite quickly. It's worth saying that my original reference for the film was Tyra Banks' obsession with Mia Farrow's haircut in the film, which she proceeded to force on a season 5 contestant (and then a season 6 contestant) of America's Next Top Model.

Even more so than The Stepford Wives, the book is pretty much a mirror of the film's plot, with the exception of a brief trip that Rosemary makes to Hutch's cabin (which doesn't feature in the film). I was impressed at how much more concise the book is than the film, but both feel equally weighty and intricate.

While the book is highly disturbing and frustrating in equal measure, the most salient aspect is the resolve and determination of Rosemary, which Mia Farrow channels excellently in the film adaptation. The way she is surrounded/smothered by people who are almost all conspiring against her and using her body to carry Satan's child (spoiler alert), and yet manages to figure out the plot and intervene is a testament to Ira Levin's ability to craft dynamic heroines in the most wild of circumstances.

Content Warnings

xwritingstoriesx's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A great mix of supernatural horror and psychological horror. I felt so sorry for Rosemary, unknowingly marrying someone so selfish and heartless to put his wife through such a betrayal. Though every other character was awful for their actions against Rosemary, Guy's betrayal was something else entirely, even to go so far as to persuade her of her own disillusionment and hysteria.

The ending was intriguing, to watch as Rosemary fell in love with the son of satan, in spite of her prior aversion to him. I kind of wished she had jumped out of the window to end it all, to displease the coven and to thwart their plans.

Overall, this book was incredible and I plan to read more of Ira Levin's work.

Content Warnings

pablollopez's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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xtineogle's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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capriganda's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

I read this book mostly because I knew I was never going to watch the movie and I don't regret it at all. Though seemingly plain, Rosemary is an easy protagonist to care about which makes the events of the story even more harrowing. One of the strengths of the book is despite how obvious the red flags are, I could never file away Rosemary as a stock horror character.

The writing was very dry at times and took some getting use to.

Content Warnings

hellebore's review

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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