Bee Barnes
While ROSEMARY’S BABY by Ira Levin deals with the birth of the antichrist and devil worship, this is one of the most grounded horror novels I’ve ever read. This book covers spousal rape, abuse, isolation, and so much more. It talks about social manipulation, discusses how women are treated as stepping stones and bartering chips to those in power. This is a book I firmly believe everyone should read. I might even go so far as to say this should be studied in English lit classes.
Is it obvious that this is in my top 10 of the horror genre?
Author Ira Levin regularly wrote feminist-themed horror. Even though (as far as I know) he never explicitly stated he was a feminist or publicly chose to discuss feminist themes, his work is rife with it. I can’t imagine he didn’t know what he was doing.
Although, as impressed with his ideas as I am, I wish we had gotten to know Rosemary outside of her husband and her wifely duties. I wish we got to see her hobbies and all the things she did to feed her soul. We know a few facts about her, but they’re usually in service of the plot. She grew up in a staunchly Catholic household, she left the faith when she married Guy, and she’s not a virgin (that’s important to the plot, I promise).
Even if one chooses to ignore those themes, it’s still a terrifying story. To put yourself in Rosemary’s shoes means accepting her reality. Despite it being a fiction novel, one entirely separate from our world, it’s far too easy to slip into her point of view..
Picture this: The year is 1967. Your husband is a struggling actor, but he’s kind, and you love him, so you don’t mind it all that much. You’re a stay-at-home wife, and you’ve just moved into your dream neighborhood. Everything you’ve been striving towards is coming true, and soon enough, you’re pregnant with your first child. You really believe things are going to turn out just as you always wanted them to.
When the charming, old married couple, Mini and Roman Castevet, next door learns of your condition, they’re overjoyed. Absolutely over the moon about it, to the point where Mini pulls strings to get you into this super fancy OBGYN that normally doesn’t take new clients. It’s sweet, really, how invested in your happiness they are. As your husband’s career seems to be taking off, you spend more and more time with Mini. The first half of the pregnancy is hard on you, painful, and draining to the point that it leaves you bedridden. The old woman brings you food and drinks that relieve the agony of your pregnancy, but only temporarily.
Eventually, you realize that you’ve haven’t seen your friends in months, and have them over for a small party where they are aghast at your condition. Not that you’re pregnant, but how the pregnancy has affected you. Your doctor, the one Mini acquired for you, insists that everything is fine. “Every pregnancy is different,” he tells you, “don’t bother asking advice from other women. It won’t apply to you.” But your friends push back on that. They tell you to listen to your body, to get a second opinion.
Your husband scoffs over their ignorance. They’re not doctors, so what do they know? Fortunately, before you can get in to see another doctor, the pain vanishes. Literally, in the middle of an argument with your husband, who insists you’re over exaggerating everything, the pain disappears. Not great timing to prove your point, but you’re not going to look into it any further because, finally, you feel somewhat normal after months of a miserable pregnancy.
In a matter of a few short months, no aspect of your life remains under your control. From your medical care, to when you got pregnant in the first place, to who you’re allowed to speak with, to the food you’re allowed to eat. All of it is now controlled by your husband and the overprotective old couple next door. On top of that, you’re gaslit and shamed when you push back against their oppression.
People die when they try to interfere with you. They drop like flies if they so much as lift a finger to help you change your situation. All you want is to go back to how things used to be, before you moved into this godforsaken apartment complex.
It’s chilling.
Rosemary’s goal from the start is to live a romantic life in a renowned apartment building with her husband, whom she loves very much. While her husband chases the spotlight, Rosemary seems content with sitting on the sidelines. She’s happy to support her husband in pursuing his dreams while she is a stay-at-home mother.
She’s a good woman who chose to put her love and her faith in the wrong man. Who hasn’t done that once or twice in their life?
In all seriousness, Rosemary is almost a perfect time capsule of her generation. She grew up, as stated previously, in a deeply Catholic household, which instilled ‘traditional’ values. She was taught to be passive and sweet. Told that her highest accomplishments in life would be marriage and motherhood. Then, when she reaches it, that’s when her life starts to fall apart.
Marrying Guy causes her to lose her parents. She hasn’t talked to them since her wedding. Getting pregnant causes her to lose her freedom and free will. It’s like a twisted joke: achieve the life you’ve always wanted, and lose everything within months.
Rosemary’s whole world shrinks down to surviving one ordeal after another right up to the very end of the novel. It’s a special kind of cruelty that stalks her throughout this part of her life. Is that an act of the Devil, or is that the hand of the author? Or, are they one and the same here? I know if someone asked the characters in my books that very question, the answer would undoubtedly be ‘YES’.
Alright, let’s talk ratings.
The Scares
While the scares might feel understated to some, I find them incredibly effective. Each violation of Rosemary’s autonomy or trust breeds a sinister atmosphere that grows stronger with every page. ⭐⭐
The Writing
While this is a short novel, landing around 275 pages (depending on the edition you’ve picked up) it’s a fantastic read. It’s around a 1st or 2nd-grade reading level, so it’s not complicated to get through. Depending on your reading speed, it’ll probably take you a solid 4 hours to finish. ⭐⭐
Overall Rating
Do yourself a favor and pick up this book! While I haven’t labeled this a 5-star book, simply due to the fact that I hesitate to give out 5 stars in general these days, it’s one of my absolute favorite novels of all time. Read it for the horror, read it for the themes, but whatever you do- read this book!! Ira Levin is a mastermind when it comes to these sorts of stories. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
