Reviews

The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin

virgilsinferno's review against another edition

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tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

A really solid classic horror novel. Fantastic ending and very good at creating a creeping feeling of something being Not Quite Right.

nelroden's review against another edition

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dark reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Such a captivating read; could not put it down. Really interesting to think of it as the blue-print for the ‘sinister-housewife-story’ trope. Levin’s storytelling is a masterclass in subtle prose that lingers with you.

pantslint's review against another edition

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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.
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?
Like, ew, Joanna. Way to be a girl-hater. You don't have to hate housework and hate women who choose to be home to be a feminist... though I think this kind of characterization is just of-the-time!


I have to read more of Levin's work. And I don't think I'll watch Olivia Wilde's movie.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

taracoleman's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective 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? Yes

5.0

joyful_tomato's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.0

vdavy001's review against another edition

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adventurous reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Ira always captures the devious nature of men. I love his books

minnaobrien's review against another edition

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2.0

This book is a victim of its own success. It has such cultural saturation that we all know what a Stepford Wife is before picking up this book. Without that mystery / suspence, all you're left with is a *boring* book. Everything interesting happens off-page, which could work really well, except we barely get the POV character's emotions or interiority either. There is barely anything to be gained by reading this book that you wouldn't get from a summary of the premise.

captainmarcy's review against another edition

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dark reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

blackcatvenus's review

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.5

cecewychwood's review against another edition

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dark lighthearted tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0