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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
matchamarimo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Gaslighting, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual content and Racism
its_kievan's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A lot of people will call this “timeless”, and in some ways that’s true - Joanna’s betrayal by her supposedly “feminist” husband still hits just as hard now as it did 50 years ago. On the other hand, it feels distractingly 70s, and knowing the big twist beforehand undercuts a lot of the suspense. Neither of those is Levin’s fault, obviously, but it means the book ultimately feels a bit lacking.
Palahniuk’s introduction is… more complicated. He’s a lot more coherent than in his recent works (looking at you, Adjustment Day), and he does cite My Personal Queen Susan Faludi, but for the intro to a feminist masterpiece (TM) it would have been more interesting to hear from a woman.
Palahniuk’s introduction is… more complicated. He’s a lot more coherent than in his recent works (looking at you, Adjustment Day), and he does cite My Personal Queen Susan Faludi, but for the intro to a feminist masterpiece (TM) it would have been more interesting to hear from a woman.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexism
Minor: Blood and Racism
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
savshelfinger's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Olivia Wilde could never
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Sexism
Moderate: Racism
abmochapman's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
an incredible psychological thriller (apart from peter straub’s introduction, which — rather than introducing the novel — explains its entire plot)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Vomit, Blood, Child death, and Racism
hookerkitty's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
…what in the hell did I just read? I borrowed this on Hoopla, so I’m not sure just how much was formatting errors from Hoopla or if it’s the actual book’s fault.
There was rarely any indication that there’d be a scene change between lines/paragraphs, which was hella confusing (once in a while I’d get a — between lines, or an extra space between lines, but the majority of the time I got neither).
I also had to keep checking to see if I accidentally skipped a page, because it’d seem like I was missing gaps of info. But judging by other reviews I’ve seen, that’s how the book was actually written. Which is atrocious. Especially when giant gaps take place at the end. There was no huge twist, you just have to decide for yourself what happened. Or, in the case of the edition I read with Peter Straub’s (awful) intro, you can basically read a quick summary/cliffs note version of the book, before you actually read any of it yet. Who the hell approved that‽
I’m glad this was a short book, because I would’ve been hella pissed wasting more time than I did (still irked even with it being shorter though). I’m SO glad I didn’t buy it in a whim to make sure I had the entire book.
I mean, just, why? I picked this book for one of my challenges, both because it fit, but mostly because Rosemary’s Baby wasn’t available to borrow on Libby or Hoopla. I’d always wanted to read Rosemary’s Baby, but now I’m questioning whether or not it’ll be worth my time because this was so bad. Argh.
There was rarely any indication that there’d be a scene change between lines/paragraphs, which was hella confusing (once in a while I’d get a — between lines, or an extra space between lines, but the majority of the time I got neither).
I also had to keep checking to see if I accidentally skipped a page, because it’d seem like I was missing gaps of info. But judging by other reviews I’ve seen, that’s how the book was actually written. Which is atrocious. Especially when giant gaps take place at the end. There was no huge twist, you just have to decide for yourself what happened. Or, in the case of the edition I read with Peter Straub’s (awful) intro, you can basically read a quick summary/cliffs note version of the book, before you actually read any of it yet. Who the hell approved that‽
I’m glad this was a short book, because I would’ve been hella pissed wasting more time than I did (still irked even with it being shorter though). I’m SO glad I didn’t buy it in a whim to make sure I had the entire book.
I mean, just, why? I picked this book for one of my challenges, both because it fit, but mostly because Rosemary’s Baby wasn’t available to borrow on Libby or Hoopla. I’d always wanted to read Rosemary’s Baby, but now I’m questioning whether or not it’ll be worth my time because this was so bad. Argh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Child death, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, and Sexual content
ottercorg's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Another book I never really knew the plot to but always heard referenced - and whose movie I'd never seen. What a delight! This is exactly the kind of plot I enjoy. Very mid sci-fi, a bit of spookiness, and overall well written. Levin writes in a way that immersed me into the story, felt like I was there, without being overly descriptive or wordy.
I don't always love an open ending, but I think this one was just right. Poor Joanna.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Alcohol, Sexual content, Murder, and Racism
rosieanna24's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Sexism, and Misogyny
chrisljm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A plot-based novel that’s pretty straightforward. I enjoyed the simplicity in which the themes came across and how it didn’t detract from the thriller aspects, especially towards the ending which I really liked. However, the thrill is also rooted in the fact that, despite the sci-fi elements, it is a very realistic outcome if men were given the opportunity. I think one of the most chilling parts was when Bobbie’s son observed his mother’s change in behavior, and instead of being upset and viewing it as a loss, he’s grateful for it. It was such a small, but important detail.
This was a short read but it was concise, well written, and so interesting, and the use of Joanna as the narrator was done brilliantly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual content, Gaslighting, Body shaming, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Blood, Racism, and Self harm