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A review by harpygon
The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin
tense
4.5
I went into this book already knowing the answer to what is wrong with Stepford‘s women (that happens when one watches enough critics of hello darling whatever the florence pugh movie is called) but the book was gripping nonetheless.
Joanna going through the stages of growing mistrust and paranoia (is it still paranoia if one is correct?), her losing first her entire support and social system and then trust in herself.
The last couple of segments where she is fleeing from her own husband, running through the snow and just slowly coming to doubt her own sanity hit soooo hard
Also the open ending regarding how exactly Joanna was replaced. The questions she posed about how they dispose of the wives and all that are never answered, we are still clueless, the secrets firmly guarded by the men’s association.
I dont know how I am supposed to interpret the epilogue… I believe it is meant to be a „they are both understanding and equal and thats why she is save?“ or maybe it is „he is showing the same understanding and open nature that Joanna‘s husband showed in the beginning but just give it a couple months?“
I personally choose to believe that its the first, because this couple is different. They‘re black, they only have daughters while all other families whose children are mentioned have at least 1 son, the wife is successful in her own manner and earns money (Joanna did too, but less successfully), the husband is more of a partner. Neither of them strive for a social life. They are written as the complete and utter antithesis to Stepford‘s Robot wifes (I guess I know how i‘d interpet the epilogue after all)
The last couple of segments where she is fleeing from her own husband, running through the snow and just slowly coming to doubt her own sanity hit soooo hard
Also the open ending regarding how exactly Joanna was replaced. The questions she posed about how they dispose of the wives and all that are never answered, we are still clueless, the secrets firmly guarded by the men’s association.
I dont know how I am supposed to interpret the epilogue… I believe it is meant to be a „they are both understanding and equal and thats why she is save?“ or maybe it is „he is showing the same understanding and open nature that Joanna‘s husband showed in the beginning but just give it a couple months?“
I personally choose to believe that its the first, because this couple is different. They‘re black, they only have daughters while all other families whose children are mentioned have at least 1 son, the wife is successful in her own manner and earns money (Joanna did too, but less successfully), the husband is more of a partner. Neither of them strive for a social life. They are written as the complete and utter antithesis to Stepford‘s Robot wifes (I guess I know how i‘d interpet the epilogue after all)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Sexism
Minor: Murder