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A review by lmclar12
Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Wow Ira Levin did it again. For something written in the 50s and written by a man this is so impressive. And not just on that standing but on writing and story as well this holds up.
One thing that struck me is how much he actually respects his female characters. They’re definitely not stupid. They think for themselves and use their own agency to try to save themselves.
Also I can’t imagine how shocking it must have been to readers (especially because I imagine most horror readers were male) to see menstruation casually portrayed. And not as soemthing yucky or female problems but just as something that happens.
This book portrays so well psychological and emotional abuse, marital rape, and isolation.
This book was a dark horse for me and I will definitely be continuing reading Levin’s work.
One thing that struck me is how much he actually respects his female characters. They’re definitely not stupid. They think for themselves and use their own agency to try to save themselves.
Also I can’t imagine how shocking it must have been to readers (especially because I imagine most horror readers were male) to see menstruation casually portrayed. And not as soemthing yucky or female problems but just as something that happens.
This book portrays so well psychological and emotional abuse, marital rape, and isolation.
This book was a dark horse for me and I will definitely be continuing reading Levin’s work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Minor: Rape