From back cover:
Rosemary Woodhouse and her struggling actor-husband Guy move into the Bramford, an old New York City apartment building with an...
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reviews
Dec 16, 2009
Josh
rated it: 
Possibly the finest example of dramatic irony I've ever read. It's both energizing and enervating to read; I longed for our heroine to discover the duplicities around her, yet found myself frustrated as she went about her life with the devil's son growing in her stomach, unaware that her husband had sold her out for a film career and her ob-gyn (her downstairs doctor) was in on the conspiracy.
There are many things about this book that linger with me, things that I'm going to turn ov More...
There are many things about this book that linger with me, things that I'm going to turn ov More...
Oct 01, 2007
Amanda
rated it: 
Light reading to get you in the mood for Halloween. I didn't find it scary, though. I could stay up reading it late at night without getting the creeps or having weird dreams. It was even kind of funny, especially in the end when she looks in the bassinet and what she does afterward. Maybe it would have been scarier if I had read it back in the late 60's when it was written.
One thing that caught me off guard every time was how the author kept referring to the black elevator operator More...
One thing that caught me off guard every time was how the author kept referring to the black elevator operator More...
Dec 27, 2008
Chad
rated it:
I'd seen the film "Rosemary's Baby" many years ago, so before I cracked open the book, I already knew what it was about, and its 'shocking' ending. I remember the ending of the movie making me laugh out loud, not because it was too silly, but because it struck a perfect tone of absurdity and creepiness. As I started the novel, I was afraid know the ending would dampen my enjoyment of the read, but fortunately, Ira Levin employed such a deft touch in this work, that there is a sense o
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May 20, 2011
Craig Michael
rated it:
I have mixed feelings about this review: to say the book is good will illict a response from either end of a spectrum: "Oh, he'll read ANYthing!" to "He must hate women!" Rather, I think Levin tapped into the struggle of various female identities against a growing resistance to their independence. Presenting that struggle in a satiric/ ironic vein is lost on some, and perhaps giving too much credit or thought to a plot that is not meant to change lives or solve global issues.
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Nov 22, 2007
Jessica
rated it:
When published in 1967, Rosemary's Baby was one of the first contemporary horror novels to become a national bestseller. Ira Levin's second novel (he went on to write such fine thrillers as A Kiss Before Dying, The Stepford Wives, and The Boys from Brazil), Rosemary's Baby, remains perhaps his best work. The author's mainstream "this is how it really happened" style undeniably also made the novel his most widely imitated. The plot line is deceptively simple: What if you were a happily
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Oct 03, 2008
David
rated it:
If you have managed to live this long without knowing how this book ends, read no further. Major spoilers are on the way!
This first 90% of this book is masterful. Ira Levin does a brilliant job, via a limited-omniscient narrative POV, of creating a feeling of paranoid claustrophobia as Rosemary Woodhouse becomes increasingly covinced that everyone around her (including her doctor and her husband) are plotting against her and her unborn baby. But then the last 10% of the book destr More...
This first 90% of this book is masterful. Ira Levin does a brilliant job, via a limited-omniscient narrative POV, of creating a feeling of paranoid claustrophobia as Rosemary Woodhouse becomes increasingly covinced that everyone around her (including her doctor and her husband) are plotting against her and her unborn baby. But then the last 10% of the book destr More...
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Jan 13, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
OMG, so scarily NORMAL! Like, "Oh, here's your new apartment, meet your new neighbors, and by the way, we worship Satan every other Wednesday. Hope you can make it!" Love it. Also a kick-ass NYC novel.
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Jan 26, 2009
Vincent
rated it: 
This is a classic horror novel. What more can one say? ...The baby shower registry can be found at Hottopic.com.
Nov 03, 2011
Wendy
rated it:
Halloween’s over, but if you’re still looking for a scare you might want to dust off a copy of “Rosemary’s Baby.”
This story sets the scary meter — if someone tells you a book worse than Rosemary’s Baby, then you’d better turn the lights on, all of them, because you’re in for a thrill.
Rosemary’s Baby starts with a young couple, Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse, who can’t believe their luck when a unit opens up at the up-scale Bramford building in New York City. Nevermind that Rosemary’s fri More...
This story sets the scary meter — if someone tells you a book worse than Rosemary’s Baby, then you’d better turn the lights on, all of them, because you’re in for a thrill.
Rosemary’s Baby starts with a young couple, Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse, who can’t believe their luck when a unit opens up at the up-scale Bramford building in New York City. Nevermind that Rosemary’s fri More...
Oct 01, 2011
Keldy
rated it: 
Ira Levin, you've created a masterpiece in horror.
In a story not only of witchcraft and satanism, but of extreme betrayal, my interest grew with every turning page. A feeling of suspense thick and palpable enough for a reader to feel in the isolated comfort of a library rose in a steady, jaw-grinding, knuckle-clenching pace. Plentiful, obscure glances at satanic rites and black Sabbaths gripped me and pulled me further and further into the book's grotesque and frighteningly obscene wor More...
In a story not only of witchcraft and satanism, but of extreme betrayal, my interest grew with every turning page. A feeling of suspense thick and palpable enough for a reader to feel in the isolated comfort of a library rose in a steady, jaw-grinding, knuckle-clenching pace. Plentiful, obscure glances at satanic rites and black Sabbaths gripped me and pulled me further and further into the book's grotesque and frighteningly obscene wor More...
Jul 19, 2011
Nicole
rated it:
Last night when I finished reading this book, I probably would have given it 3 stars. It was a definite page turner for me; I read it in less than two days. I read it in bed, on the couch, on the carpet while I was babysitting, on a blanket on the grass, on a towel by a volleyball court, and on a picnic blanket next to the pool. On my back, sitting up, on my stomach, standing in line, everywhere I was reading this book. It was totally engrossing for me, very easy to read. The end was pretty unde
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Jun 08, 2011
Carolina
rated it:
Rosemary’s Baby centers on a young woman named Rosemary and her experiences living in an old Gothic New York apartment complex with Guy, her struggling actor husband. Before moving into the Bramford, as it is called, they are warned by Hutch (a family friend) about the strange history of the building which includes a high incidence of cannibalism, murder, and witchcraft.
Despite the disturbing history of the Bramford, the couple decides to move into the Bramford and are quickly befriend More...
Despite the disturbing history of the Bramford, the couple decides to move into the Bramford and are quickly befriend More...
Jan 16, 2011
Bryce
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Oct 16, 2010
Harmonybites
rated it:
Having seen the film might taint my judgment and enjoyment of this novel, and certainly cut any factor of suspense. Despite that, I did enjoy the book, partly for it's look at my neighborhood, New York City's Upper West Side, in the mid 1960s. Although in 2010 it's much harder to see witches as evil satanists rather than good-hearted New Age Pagans than it would have been when it was published in 1967, the book doesn't feel dated.
I think this is one of the cases where the film is be More...
I think this is one of the cases where the film is be More...
Mar 23, 2010
astried
rated it:
For me it's not scary in horror sense like the Ring or something that creeps in in the middle of the night. For me it's scary how her husband could do this to her. I suppose I'm naive and all, but seeing how such a normal young marriage gone the drain got me to thinking. Would a man sell his wife for his career gain? Granted, as written by Levin, she suspects he only married her to have a girl that adore and worship him. But still, wouldn't what he have done require at least a bit of malicious i
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Apr 13, 2009
Ev
rated it:
I've had this book for a long time and just decided to read it, it's the first edition paperback printed in '67, which added to the expierence. I've also never seen the movie and didn't know what it was going to be about, other than always hearing about how it is a classic among the horror genre.
A really quick read, filled somewhat with some suspense, definately not scary though. Horror?? No. Kinda cheesy in a 1960's way..yes. I respect the fact that at the time in the 60's this may have More...
A really quick read, filled somewhat with some suspense, definately not scary though. Horror?? No. Kinda cheesy in a 1960's way..yes. I respect the fact that at the time in the 60's this may have More...
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Dec 23, 2011
Slayermel
rated it:
I was actually surprised at how fast I finished this book, but I got into it and could not put it down. Having never seen any of the movies that were based off of this book helped me go in with no expectations and I have to say, I really enjoyed it.
The story is about a young couple who have had their eyes set on an old apartment building since before they got married. It's one of those really old buildings that used to have huge units where the rich lived that have been now downsized More...
The story is about a young couple who have had their eyes set on an old apartment building since before they got married. It's one of those really old buildings that used to have huge units where the rich lived that have been now downsized More...
Jul 09, 2010
B. Zedan
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 16, 2012
Nemesis
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Aug 29, 2010
eyup
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Oct 08, 2011
Victoria
rated it:
If there is one thing I hate, one pet peeve so to say that I have, it's stupid women in literature. Rosemary Woodhouse is a stupid woman. I liked this book a lot. I read it in two seperate sittings and was so curious about what was going to happen next. I did not like Rosemary very much at all. A simple, stupid, naive girl, she made me pity her from the beginning more than anything. The book is divided into three parts and right about the time part two came around, I began to simultaniously loat
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Jan 22, 2011
Eileen
rated it:
It's a classic horror story that's gripping and very disturbing about a young woman, Rosemary, who wants a baby and her husband, Guy, who wants to be a successful actor. Guy sells his wife to Satan for career gain.
During her pregnancy Rosemary becomes convinced that everybody (including her own husband and her obstetrician) around her is plotting against her, but it's too late. In the end the only thing she can do is give her child the (extreme) unconditional love of its mother.
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During her pregnancy Rosemary becomes convinced that everybody (including her own husband and her obstetrician) around her is plotting against her, but it's too late. In the end the only thing she can do is give her child the (extreme) unconditional love of its mother.
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Jun 16, 2010
Keri
rated it:
I admit: I saw the movie first. And I was pleasantly surprised to see how true to the book the movie was, looking back. Normally, one isn't so lucky.
But this is a review about the book. Though sometimes it could read a little unemotional, in my opinion, the winning part of the book for me is the dialogue. There are just some times that I can see people I know speaking the way the Castevets or Guy Woodhouse speaks.
In an almost hypocritical stance from before, I think Rosemary More...
But this is a review about the book. Though sometimes it could read a little unemotional, in my opinion, the winning part of the book for me is the dialogue. There are just some times that I can see people I know speaking the way the Castevets or Guy Woodhouse speaks.
In an almost hypocritical stance from before, I think Rosemary More...
Feb 02, 2012
Clover
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 14, 2012
Lindsay
rated it:
When I first started this book I was struck by the fact that although there was little going on plot-wise, I was completely sucked in and was reading whenever I got the chance. I ended up finishing the book in three days! I'd heard of this book before, and been told that the film was quite scary, but didn't know anything else about it.
The story is quite good, but that's the only positive point, really. On something like the fourth chapter I felt I'd cracked the big twist at the end, a More...
The story is quite good, but that's the only positive point, really. On something like the fourth chapter I felt I'd cracked the big twist at the end, a More...
Nov 22, 2011
Brittany
rated it:
Gather 'round everyone; let Mother Goose butter you up. I'm forcefully giving this novel 5 stars, not because it wasn't a good read. It is simply because the book was so fantastic that it pissed me off to the point where I wanted to crack my Nook Color in half!
Author Ira Levin has created a masterpiece where the concept is imagined beyond recognition, "homemade" if you will. He has taken the idea of Satanism and made it his own; and has the unstoppable ability to both shock More...
Author Ira Levin has created a masterpiece where the concept is imagined beyond recognition, "homemade" if you will. He has taken the idea of Satanism and made it his own; and has the unstoppable ability to both shock More...
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Sep 10, 2010
Martina
rated it:
This is one of the most terrifying novels I have ever read. It's not a classic horror story with gruesome beings appearing in every corner, and actually that's what makes the book so gripping and disturbing.
Ira Levin brilliantly describes the everyday life of Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse, who have moved to a new apartment. After a while they befriend an elderly couple from the neighboring flat. Soon after that, aspiring actor Guy has his career skyrocketing, and Rosemary gets pregnant. Every More...
Ira Levin brilliantly describes the everyday life of Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse, who have moved to a new apartment. After a while they befriend an elderly couple from the neighboring flat. Soon after that, aspiring actor Guy has his career skyrocketing, and Rosemary gets pregnant. Every More...
Sep 09, 2011
Neal
rated it:
One of the original "kitchen sink" horror stories, this is perhaps the book that heralded the revival of the horror genre of which Stephen King is the undisputed champion (in my opinion). But this book deserves to be remembered for being one of the first to bring horror right into your living room.
And what a well written book it is. The prose is beautifully simplistic, factual almost. It has that light, almost lyrical touch that so many American novels have, from Hemingway More...
And what a well written book it is. The prose is beautifully simplistic, factual almost. It has that light, almost lyrical touch that so many American novels have, from Hemingway More...
Oct 24, 2011
Jo
rated it:
23rd October 2011
I am currently revisiting some of my old books that I have unearthed from attic, cardboard box, cupboard and many a strange place that some people would consider an unusual repository for books!
This one is from way back in 1968, sadly I could not find the correct cover picture for it.
As soon as I started reading the story flooded back to me and I found it a little poignant, remembering that last time I read it I too was in the 1960's like Rosmary.
The boo More...
I am currently revisiting some of my old books that I have unearthed from attic, cardboard box, cupboard and many a strange place that some people would consider an unusual repository for books!
This one is from way back in 1968, sadly I could not find the correct cover picture for it.
As soon as I started reading the story flooded back to me and I found it a little poignant, remembering that last time I read it I too was in the 1960's like Rosmary.
The boo More...
Feb 17, 2012
Agness
rated it:
I was surprised how much it was alike the film. Or should I say, the film (based on the novel)
was exactly like the book. I don't regret seeing the film first because it actually helped me so much
to imagine and picture things clearly whilst reading the story. I loved the actors (esp Mia Farrow)
and whenever Rosemary's name was mentioned, I could picture Mia Farrow instantly. But to the point of the review:
I thought this novel was great. It wasn't that much scary, but interestin More...
was exactly like the book. I don't regret seeing the film first because it actually helped me so much
to imagine and picture things clearly whilst reading the story. I loved the actors (esp Mia Farrow)
and whenever Rosemary's name was mentioned, I could picture Mia Farrow instantly. But to the point of the review:
I thought this novel was great. It wasn't that much scary, but interestin More...
