Scan barcode
pantslint's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.25
I picked up this book because I've read that Don't Worry Darling (2022) was a poorly-done film copycat of The Stepford Wives. I love Levin's writing style; it's straightforward and easy to read, all the while being so descriptive that I can visually see the scenes and settings.
The premise is still so relevant (sadly) and the language and mechanics still hold up pretty well, so I can see how this book is a timeless classic. However, it's interesting to see how far feminist theory and female characters have come—it's clear in Joanna's characterization.
She's not a perfect feminist (no one is), though the way that she, Charmaine, and Bobbie are written feel a little bit like caricatures in present-day. They're bad housewives: messy, loud, and they shirk responsibilities in favor of their personal hobbies. They eat McDonald's cheeseburgers in the car and play tennis. There is such a sharp contrast between them and the robotic Stepford Wives, for emphasis on how different and liberated they are in comparison, I guess? Though now, I'd say there's room for more nuance in feminist literature, and not so not-like-other-girls.
When Joanna meets Carol in the very first chapter, she observes how beautiful Carol is, and how perfect of a housewife she is. But Joanna's attitude irks the hell out of me.
The premise is still so relevant (sadly) and the language and mechanics still hold up pretty well, so I can see how this book is a timeless classic. However, it's interesting to see how far feminist theory and female characters have come—it's clear in Joanna's characterization.
When Joanna meets Carol in the very first chapter, she observes how beautiful Carol is, and how perfect of a housewife she is. But Joanna's attitude irks the hell out of me.
No, she didn't know how it was, thank God. Not to be like that, a compulsive hausfrau. Who could blame Ted for taking advantage of such an asking-to-be-exploited patsy?
I have to read more of Levin's work. And I don't think I'll watch Olivia Wilde's movie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Murder
Minor: Racism and Blood
catriona176's review
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, Murder, Domestic abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Lesbophobia and Mental illness
notthatcosta's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Unfortunately, my introduction to the Stepford Wives was via the appalling FLOP 2004 film starring Nicole Kidman, which in typical early noughties fashion was totally sanitised as to appease middle America and the production company.
Thankfully, I later discovered the original 1975 cult classic, which is every bit as chilling and dark and twisted as this book. I will go ahead and say that this is one of the better paced novels I have read, and I could have happily blown through the entire book in a single sitting, because it is so gripping. I say this even though I knew how the book would end becauseI knew that the original film is quite loyal to the book.
However, it was interesting to see how much more of a major character Ruthanne is in the book, only to make a brief cameo in the final scene of the film. I think both the book and the ORIGINAL film do an excellent job of being refined and edited to perfection, but I think the original stakes of Joanna having an ally until the end would have been interesting to explore. That said, I think the book ending of robot Bobbie stabbing her to death while Bobbie's children are upstairs is even more chilling than Joanna being strangled by her eye-less robot self. Actually, maybe they're as disturbing as each other. I liked how both Book Joanna and film Joanna were both equally screwed but had equally slim chances of escape that were missed by fatal flaws - Book Joanna said 'fuck the kids' but had the keys stolen (should have driven straight from the psychologist to New York), where as film Joanna fully had the car and could have escaped but went to the Men's Association to get her stupid kids. I think both endings worked for their respective contexts - a final showdown in the Men's Association with the reveal of Robot Joanna was the gag the film needed to punctuate it, where as the ending of the book felt suitably quiet.
When it comes to Joanna's undoing, I think her refusal to leave her children is more 'obvious' and therefore lame, where as the opportunity to see her internal monologue in the book where she oscillates between believing the lies she was fed and second guessing herself but also knowing deep down that she was right was fascinating and grounded in both reality and felt consistent with the way her character had progressed until that point in there book.
The commentary on feminism, race in America and class is incredibly timely despite being over 50 years old, which is very impressive; I have read books published a couple of years ago that have already aged terribly by comparison. The book also features some picture perfect examples of gaslighting, and nails the nuances of manipulation and LYING, those men are LIARS. Above all, Joanna, Bobbie, Charmaine and Ruthanne are fully realised and LIKEABLE characters, which is impressive considering how short the book is.
Justice for literally every woman in this book, except maybe the therapist look she was useless.
Thankfully, I later discovered the original 1975 cult classic, which is every bit as chilling and dark and twisted as this book. I will go ahead and say that this is one of the better paced novels I have read, and I could have happily blown through the entire book in a single sitting, because it is so gripping. I say this even though I knew how the book would end because
However, it was interesting to see how much more of a major character Ruthanne is in the book, only to make a brief cameo in the final scene of the film. I think both the book and the ORIGINAL film do an excellent job of being refined and edited to perfection, but I think the original stakes of Joanna having an ally until the end would have been interesting to explore. That said, I think the book ending of robot Bobbie stabbing her to death while Bobbie's children are upstairs is even more chilling than Joanna being strangled by her eye-less robot self. Actually, maybe they're as disturbing as each other. I liked how both Book Joanna and film Joanna were both equally screwed but had equally slim chances of escape that were missed by fatal flaws - Book Joanna said 'fuck the kids' but had the keys stolen (should have driven straight from the psychologist to New York), where as film Joanna fully had the car and could have escaped but went to the Men's Association to get her stupid kids. I think both endings worked for their respective contexts - a final showdown in the Men's Association with the reveal of Robot Joanna was the gag the film needed to punctuate it, where as the ending of the book felt suitably quiet.
When it comes to Joanna's undoing, I think her refusal to leave her children is more 'obvious' and therefore lame, where as the opportunity to see her internal monologue in the book where she oscillates between believing the lies she was fed and second guessing herself but also knowing deep down that she was right was fascinating and grounded in both reality and felt consistent with the way her character had progressed until that point in there book.
The commentary on feminism, race in America and class is incredibly timely despite being over 50 years old, which is very impressive; I have read books published a couple of years ago that have already aged terribly by comparison. The book also features some picture perfect examples of gaslighting, and nails the nuances of manipulation and LYING, those men are LIARS. Above all, Joanna, Bobbie, Charmaine and Ruthanne are fully realised and LIKEABLE characters, which is impressive considering how short the book is.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Murder, and Sexism
turnip11's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Death, Domestic abuse, Classism, Sexism, Stalking, Body shaming, Confinement, Murder, and Fatphobia
More...