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Book Reviews of Rosemary's Baby

Rosemary's Baby
Rosemary's Baby
Author: Ira Levin
ISBN: 51548
Pages: 218
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 2

3.5 stars, based on 2 ratings
Publisher: Dell
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Write a Review

23 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

emeraldfire avatar reviewed Rosemary's Baby on
Helpful Score: 1
Newlyweds Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse are absolutely delighted to be starting their new life together. They are so in love with each other, and have such hope for their future. The only issue which could possibly present any problems for such a loving couple is their desire to have a family: Rosemary has always wanted to be a mother, while Guy - a struggling actor - wants to wait until he is more established to have children.

Having recently moved to New York City, Rosemary and Guy are in the process of finding a place to live when an apartment suddenly becomes available in the exclusive building known as 'The Bramford'. Yet, despite hearing disturbing rumors of witchcraft and murder that are a part of the Bramford's turbulent history, the couple is heedless of such dire warnings and eagerly moves into the charming four-room apartment. All the residents of the Bramford are so warm and welcoming to them, that Rosemary is certain she and Guy will be happy living there. And, indeed, they are: Guy is soaring to prominence as a thespian, and Rosemary is ecstatic to learn that she is pregnant...

The couple who have perhaps been the most welcoming to them are Roman and Minnie Castevet: the elderly and eccentric husband and wife living across the hall. Although she secretly finds them both a tad strange and rather meddlesome, Rosemary can tell that Guy likes them...very much. So, she tries not to mind when he begins to spend an inordinate amount of time visiting with the Castevets...alone.

I must say that I absolutely loved reading this book. I found that this story was excellently crafted; the plot was a believable mixture of the realistic and the fantastic, in my opinion. The characters seemed to me to be quite ordinary people, and I think that is exactly what makes the story so frightening to read. I would give this book a definite A+! In this case the book is so much better than the movie.
Calliope13 avatar reviewed Rosemary's Baby on + 98 more book reviews
She is a housewife - young, healthy, blissfully happy.
He is an actor - charismatic and ambitious.
The spacious, sun-filled apartment on Manhattan's Upper West Side is their dream home - a dream that turns into an unspeakable nightmare....

Enter the chilling world of Ira Levin - where terror is as near as your new neighbors... and where evil wears the most innocent face of all....
reviewed Rosemary's Baby on + 8 more book reviews
I've wanted to read this book for years and couldn't find it until this site came along. It was NOT a disappointment. Wonderful read -- hard to put down and completely engrossing!
reviewed Rosemary's Baby on + 3 more book reviews
A classic thriller that has become part of the literary vocabulary of the generation.
reviewed Rosemary's Baby on + 90 more book reviews
This was one of the few where I saw the movie before reading the book. I'm not sure whether the book was written AFTER the movie, or whether the movie was based on the book. Either way, the two were very similar; it was almost like reading a screenplay in that the characters' thoughts became more clear.

It's as simple as, if you liked the movie you'll like the book.
reviewed Rosemary's Baby on + 720 more book reviews
The young couple. The new neighbors. The suicide. The amulet. The doctor. The herbs. The anagram. The baby. Rosemary's Baby.
In 1967, when Rosemary's Baby was first published, Ira Levin's masterpiece gave horror an innocent new face. It caused a worldwide sensation, found fear where we never thought to look before, and dared to bring it into the sunlight. Now, Rosemary's Baby is back to terrify a whole new generation of readers.
reviewed Rosemary's Baby on + 2 more book reviews
Great book! Nothing like the movie! A definite page turner!
reviewed Rosemary's Baby on + 88 more book reviews
This is an unforgettable classic.
reviewed Rosemary's Baby on + 79 more book reviews
The young couple. The new neighbors. The suicide. The amulet. The doctor. The herbs. The anagram. The baby.Rosemary's Baby.

In 1967, when Rosemary's Baby was first published, Ira Levin's masterpiece gave horror an innocent new face. It caused a worldwide sensation, found fear where we never thought to look before, and dared to bring it into the sunlight. Now, Rosemary's Baby is back to terrify a whole new generation of readers
bran-flakes14 avatar reviewed Rosemary's Baby on + 72 more book reviews
This is rightfully hailed as a masterpiece of horror fiction because it takes a concept that is, on the surface, chilling but unrealistic, and makes it absolutely believable. 'Rosemary's Baby' tells the tale of a young couple in New York City who move into the perfect apartment to start anew a perfect life. What they don't realize, however, is that dark forces are at work planning their every move to fit a sinister, overwhelmingly evil, purpose. The book is counter-written so as to seem almost casual and flippant, which only serves to heighten the sense of credibility and terror to the story. Rosemary is likeable and smart as a main character, and as a reader one genuinely roots for her during the increasingly paranoid narrative until the final shocking, stomach-churning finale. This novel is all at once funny, dramatic, and horrifying, and a story you'll fly through yet never forget. Be sure to check out the classic film-version as well - it follows the book almost word-for-word and is a wonderful adaptation!
CocoCee avatar reviewed Rosemary's Baby on + 404 more book reviews
Written in 1967, it's still very scary today. No blood, no gore, no crazy stalker... just a simple, credible story of a woman to give birth to a very special baby.
piratepixie118 avatar reviewed Rosemary's Baby on
Rosemary's Baby is a must-have for any horror fanatic's collection. While the film based on the novel gets all the attention, the book is very well written and difficult to put down. Definitely a quick read.
reviewed Rosemary's Baby on
An all around awesome book, deals with the ever present sense of paranoia, will keep you guessing right up to the end.
Elaine-R avatar reviewed Rosemary's Baby on
a very good read! I couldn't put it down!
babsjansen avatar reviewed Rosemary's Baby on
Wonderful, Suspensful novel! Absolute page turner.
reviewed Rosemary's Baby on + 21 more book reviews
Still very chilling! I Loved the book!
reviewed Rosemary's Baby on + 35 more book reviews
This is just one of those stories I liked much better as a movie than as a novel. Good story line, just too much insanity.
reviewed Rosemary's Baby on + 121 more book reviews
What if you were a happily married young woman, living in New York, and one day you awoke to find yourself pregnant? And what if your loving husband had--apparently--sold your soul to Satan? And now you were beginning to believe that your unborn child was, in reality, the son of Satan? Levin subtly makes it all totally plausible, unless of course, dear Rosemary--or the reader--can no longer distinguish fantasy from reality!
reviewed Rosemary's Baby on + 24 more book reviews
Hardcover edition. Never read. Part of The Stephen King Horror Library. Book Club Edition.
luluinphilly avatar reviewed Rosemary's Baby on + 367 more book reviews
What can I say about this creepy book? The movie follows the book wonderfully. So you can either read the book first and view the movie or view the movie first and then read the book. Or, you can read the book, view the movie, and read the book again to get REALLY creeped out! The moral of the story ... check out your neighbors first before you sign on the dotted line!
reviewed Rosemary's Baby on + 42 more book reviews
Quick easy read. Horror novel.
reviewed Rosemary's Baby on + 37 more book reviews
1973 printing
crazylady avatar reviewed Rosemary's Baby on + 6 more book reviews
This book was an easy read. I loved how the author interwove the names of plays and books he had written into this story. The plot was good and I look forward to seeing the movie and reading the sequel to this book.