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Summary: The book that influenced a genre
Review: Thirty three years after it was first published, Levin's book still stands as one of the best Horror/fantasy novels ever written. As one of the first books of the genre to become a nestseller, one can almost imagine what a stir it caused back in 1966. For even now, with Roman Polanski's masterwork film version indelibly shaping our imaginations as we read, "Rosemary's Baby" still manages to send a genuine chill down the spine with it's deft handling of it's ingenious yet simple plot.Within the premise of a young wife having her womb bartered to the devil by her selfish husband, Levin weaves issues of religion, women's changing social roles, betrayal, modern vs. ancient, dehumanization and paranoia. "Rosemary's Baby" is not only a fun read, it's honestly scary, and, if you let yourself think about it, pretty darn smart.
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Summary: What a dreary read
Review: I was so looking forward to reading this book and now that I have, I wasted my time. The plot was weak as was the development of the characters, especially that of Rosemary. I don't dare read the sequel.
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Summary: Nice Paranoia Story
Review: Nice little story, interesting mainly for its use of the 'everyone's out to get me' syndrome. Other than that, the shock value at the end of the story somewhat diverts the readers attention from the overall excellence of the book and subtlety of tone which pervades the novel.
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Summary: A Great Story All Around
Review: This is a wonderful story, having elements of everything.
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Summary: What a disappointment!
Review: I've wanted to read this book for years but was unable to lay my hands on a copy. With the release of "Son of Rosemary" and this one turning up again in paperback, I thought I was in for a long anticipated "creep-out" at the hands of a most respected writer of best-selling fiction. Unfortunately, this book left me feeling like I had waited in a long line for a show that was perhaps popular but sadly unentertaining. I mean, this is a book with a plot summary that is the plot! And, maybe its just me but I read a lot of "white bread" American paranoia into this thing -- we have little Rosemary from Omaha getting caught up in the middle of a bunch of New York City satanists -- people with decidely ethnic-sounding names like Saperstein, Castevet (or Marcato) and crusty old people who smell funny that are the bad guys. As far as examination of philosophy and religion goes, this is about as deep as a dive into a teacup -- despite what other readers report. Levin's writing is clean and direct but this book has little else to recommend it.
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Summary: Rosemary's Baby: The age-old battle...
Review: Ira Levin's novel Rosemary's Baby explores that mind-boggling realm of the absolute darkness found in human nature. His depictions of evil are frighteningly real; even atheists may have trouble remaining in their state of disbelief in the good and evil supreme beings. This book is truly one that is nearly impossible to put down; it is extremely readable without seeming childish. Levin's ideas of good and evil are explained in a manner that is easy to understand, yet it is still perplexing to even the greatest of minds how such evil can be personified. Levin is truly a literary genius; this book proves it.
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Summary: I loved this book!
Review: The plot of Rosemary's baby was the most entertaining and the most suspensful I have ever read. I soon hope to read Son of Rosemary (even though other critics hated it) and Sliver if I can.
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Summary: Masterpiece - Plain and Simple
Review: I have been on an Ira Levin marathon since reading the sequel to this book. So, I went back and read R's Baby after not having read it in thirty years. It is such an amazing book on so many levels it's hard to talk about. Everything, description, dialogue, characters, setting, and most of all plot, mesh seamlessly in one of the great reads of all time. If you've never read it you are in for a treat. As a side note, the film version by Roman Polanski is also a masterpiece. It is the best adaptation of book to film ever done. The reason for this is simple: It IS the book. Polanski didn't know he could change anything so 95% of the dialogue is taken verbatim from the book and the other five percent is paraphrased. It helps that Levin writes the best dialogue of anyone writing fiction today. But the more amazing thing is, that visual touches that I've been ascribing to Polanski all these years are ALSO right out of the book, as are several costume descriptions. Were it only that more movie adaptations were this faithful and we weren't subjected to baboon screenwriters' "fixing" of novels. For the clearest example of horrifying adaptation, one only need turn to Mr. Joe Estherhaz' adaptation of Ira Levin's Sliver
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Summary: Forbidden fun for fans of freakish fiction!
Review: So there I was, carefully perusing a Pulitzer-prize winner, the tip of my nose pressed in the book's crack, my eyes drooping tiredly, when I asked myself, "Why am I reading this?" I felt guilty for asking the question. After all, this boring book won the Pulitzer! I'd seen it on numerous book lists. It was rated highly on characterization, plot, readability, and literary merit. It just had to be good, and it was on my book list, so I just had to read it. Meanwhile, a copy of Ira Levin's "Rosemary's Baby" sat gathering dust, begging me to discover its story. I bought the book very interested in reading it by what I'd heard others say of the cinematic version. When I brought the book home, again guilt consumed me, this time because of the the unread Pulitzers and Shakespeare that lined my bookshelf. Sorrowfully, I began the unwanted endeavor of reading something some impersonal book list told me to read instead of reading something in which I was genuinely interested. After grinding through a few pages, I couldn't take it anymore. I threw down the Pulitzer, cried, "Literary giants be damned!," cracked "Rosemary's Baby," and introduced myself to Mr. Levin. My eyes went from droopy to drum-sized as the pages whizzed by. Surrounding a simple plot is a diabolical mystery. In the beginning, Levin would have me believe Rosemary is too helpless to stop or change her foreboding future, but as the pressures of horror rise and clues accumulate, Rosemary's fortitude strengthens, and by the end, I was rooting for her to walk in the path of God. The denouement fits just right with the rest of the supernatural oddities in the book. (I never know how much to give away in these reviews!) Let me just say the final chapter is as thought provoking and discussible as Steinbeck's finale in "The Grapes of Wrath." Which brings me to the question: Does "Rosemary's Baby" have literary merit? Well, the book does raise deep questions: Why does the Pope dress in jeweled, silken robes? Are superstitions a form of religion? If we are sure God exists, why are we unsure of the existance of Satan? Just how well does a wife know her husband? Yes, this book has literary merit; not because of the questions it asks, but because it is enjoyable, fantasy/escapism that is devilishly fun to read
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Summary: "Hail Rosemary! Hail Satan!"
Review: This book is a modern horror masterpiece put together in a way like no other horror book I've ever read. Creativity and style are the keys to the success of the story. At all times the reader has the sense that some sort of dark conspiracy is afoot, but at the same time, there is just enough lack of evidence that one can just dismiss it as silliness and paranoia. This tension lasts right up until the end of the story. Minor inconsistencies and eerie neighbors leave the reader constantly guessing and struggling with what is really going on. Yet every time a strange event happens, there seems to be an equally logical explanation that allays the newly arisen suspicion. That is the greatness of this book. The story is so well put together that the reader can struggle, but will not figure out the true scope of everything that is happening until the author wants him to. This is a very worthwhile, scary read. The movie starring Mia Farrow is also plenty creepy!
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