52 pages • 1 hour read
Rosemary's Baby
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Book Brief
256
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 1960s
1967
Signet
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin follows Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse, who move into the eerie Bramford building, dismissing warnings about its dark history. Rosemary befriends neighbors Minnie and Roman Castavet, whose influence grows unsettling. Experiencing strange events and terrifying dreams, Rosemary discovers she is pregnant but suspects nefarious intentions from those around her, leading to shocking revelations. The book contains scenes of sexual assault and suicide.
Suspenseful
Dark
Unnerving
Mysterious
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
150,651 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Ira Levin's Rosemary's Baby is heralded for its chilling suspense and masterful storytelling, enveloping readers in a gradual buildup of horror. Critics praise its compelling characters and realistic dialogue. However, some find the plot progression slow and the resolution predictable. Overall, it's a seminal work in psychological horror, leaving a lasting eerie impression.
Who Should Read Rosemary's Baby?
A reader who enjoys gripping psychological horror with a slow-building sense of dread would relish Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin. Similar audiences might appreciate Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House or Stephen King's Pet Sematary, as all these works masterfully blend suspense, paranoia, and the supernatural.
150,651 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Guy Woodhouse
Guy Woodhouse
A struggling actor from Baltimore, Rosemary's husband, whose career aspirations and interactions with neighbors play a crucial role in the story.
Edward Hutchins (Hutch)
Edward Hutchins (Hutch)
An Englishman and novelist, Hutch is a close friend and supportive figure to Rosemary, known for his knowledge of the Bramford's past.
Minnie Castavet
Minnie Castavet
Rosemary's nosy but seemingly friendly neighbor, her interactions with Rosemary grow more complex over time.
Roman Castavet/Steven Marcato
Roman Castavet/Steven Marcato
Minnie's husband, an older and reserved man who shares his thoughts on religion and has traveled extensively, lending a mysterious air.
Rosemary's Baby was published in 1967, and it played a significant role in revitalizing the horror genre, inspiring a surge of horror thrillers in literature and film.
The book was adapted into a highly successful film in 1968 directed by Roman Polanski, which further solidified its status as a cultural phenomenon.
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Ira Levin's knack for creating suspenseful and thought-provoking narratives earned Rosemary's Baby a nomination for the Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Award for Best First Novel.
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256
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 1960s
1967
Signet
Adult
18+ years
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