Why read The Stepford Wives?

Book cover of The Stepford Wives

Book description

The internationally bestselling novel by the author of A Kiss Before Dying, The Boys from Brazil, and Rosemary's Baby

With an Introduction by Peter Straub

For Joanna, her husband, Walter, and their children, the move to beautiful Stepford seems almost too good to be true. It is. For behind the…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked The Stepford Wives as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

S.R. Masters

Author

What I love about Ira Levin is his ability to tackle huge concepts with such a mix of black humour and lightness that suspension of disbelief is made easy. I might also have put Rosemary's Baby on this list, but it was Stepford that got to me first.

It's such a neat little novel, a master class in writing efficiency, and that's just one thing I love. Another is how it evokes that feeling of the world changing for the worst around you, while everyone else seems to be just smiling like nothing's happening.

From S.R.'s list on books in which all that glitters is not gold.

Jon Vassa

Author

I love a book that can make you feel paranoid the whole time. I don’t know why but I also love stories that can paint a place as idyllic while all the while, as a reader, you pick up on all the red flags your character misses until it’s too late.

I’ve never seen either of the film adaptations, but I’ve got to say, this book gave me chills not just for its premise but its bleak ending as well. It made me dwell on this after reading: how far can you trust the people you believe love you the…

From Jon's list on dark horror stories that slowly unravel their mysteries piece by piece, letting you figure out along the way.