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looney_lily's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Racism and Murder
savvylit's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Stepford Wives is a fast-paced thriller that I read in just one sitting. Prior to reading, I had already seen the 2004 film version featuring Nicole Kidman. If you've seen that film, then you probably feel like I do - the movie is silly and lackluster. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised that Levin's original story is much more interesting and well-executed. And funny! Levin perfectly (and disturbingly) satirizes the type of men who think of their wives as property, as sex objects. The slow creep of realization that dawns on Joanna as she realizes what's really happening in Stepford is so skillfully portrayed. Even though I knew what was coming, I still found myself horrified and disgusted.
Overall, I'd highly recommend The Stepford Wives to anyone looking for a quick and unsettling read!
Overall, I'd highly recommend The Stepford Wives to anyone looking for a quick and unsettling read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Sexism, and Emotional abuse
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
dear_alice's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Unfortunately, the foreword of this book spoils the ENTIRE plot of the book within the first 5 sentences, that could have been done better. I read this book because of an episode of the 'You're Wrong About' podcast. It started slowly but looking back that really reflects the experience of the protagonist and the mystery and gaslighting that is going on. I was very impressed with the book and how eerie it ended up being. Certainly something I would recommend and something I would consider reading with my students.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Emotional abuse, Racism, Racial slurs, and Confinement
fionac326's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Sexism
Minor: Sexual content
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