Horror Book Review: Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin
Now that a prequel to a hit classic was announced, it should come as no surprise that this week's Horror Pick is ROSEMARY'S BABY written by Ira Levin.
The book was published in 1967 and has sold 4 million copies. The book was defined as a genre-defining classic and many horror fans will agree that the movie adaptation was a well-made movie and a horror classic.
The author skillfully introduces us to the couple, Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse while also explaining that while they had signed a lease on another apartment, the apartment they actually desired was now available.
The apartment in question happens to be at the Bramford. Rosemary is elated at the news and practically forces Guy to cancel the lease and take the one in Bramford immediately.
Guy gives in to his wife and they finally move into Apartment 7E. In the movie, the apartment number is stylized in a way that it looks like the number 13.
Rosemary quickly aquaints herself with the neighbors and meets the Castevets in 7A.
But before they become close, Rosemary meets Terry, a young woman living with the Castevets who she claims to be like her grandparents and who have helped her get clean. She's also wearing an odd ball shaped pendant around her neck.
Guy, meanwhile, is troubled by his declining acting career and is sure that the part he auditioned for will go to another actor, Donald.
One night, as Rosemary and Guy are returning, they find police gathered around the building. As it turns out, Terry was found dead and the police believe it to be a suicide.
But Rosemary wonders about it considering she seemed so happy.
Soon enough, the Castevets start getting closer to the couple. Rosemary is even given the same necklace Terry was given and promised good luck. Rosemary cannot stand the stench that emanates from it and so wraps it away.
Guy suddenly changes his attitude towards the elderly couple. He grows closer to them and soon enough, he lands an acting part after Donald goes blind.
Everything is going smoothly and Guy even wants to start a family.
But on their date night, Rosemary feels she may be drugged after Mrs Castevet sent her a mousse. She has odd dreams and feels like she may be carried through a closet into another apartment.
Since she didn't consume all of the mousse, she is still aware or her surroundings a bit, especially when she spots Mrs Castevet stating that in spite of her eyes being open she will not be able to move. Moments later, Rosemary is taken roughly and the next morning, Guy admits that it was him who had scratched her last night.
Rosemary begins to find the Castevets intrusive especially after she finds out that she is pregnant. After that, she has to choose another doctor than the one she wanted and drink an herbal concoction every day that Mrs Castevet makes for her.
For months, Rosemary endures pain but the doctor claims that nothing is out of the ordinary and she must not speak to anyone else about it as they will likely tell her there is something wrong.
But Rosemary does feel something is wrong, especially since Guy has also become somewhat distant and keeps wanting to hangout with the elderly neighbors.
Months later, after Rosemary gets into a fight with Guy about changing doctors and no longer wanting to drink Mrs Castevet's herbal drink, she feels the baby kick and just like that the pain she had been experiencing, stops.
Rosemary gets a lot more relaxed but something doesn't seek right.
Her friend Hutch, who suspected the neighbors, goes into a coma and dies. He leaves Rosemary a book about witches and sends a message that the name is an anagram.
Rosemary soon finds out that it is Roman Castevet's name which is an anagram and that he was the son of a Satanist cult leader.
Rosemary finds out that her doctor has been indulging in the same herb that she was told to wear. She speaks to Donald and learns that he had given a clothing item in exchange to Guy.
Rosemary believes Guy may have used it in a ritual which caused Donald to suddenly go blind. Rosemary appeals to Dr Hill for help, the doctor she initially wanted to go to but he doesn't believe her story about witches and gets Guy to take her home.
Realizing no one will believe her, Rosemary resigns any hope of escaping. When she goes into labor, she is excited at the prospect of seeing her baby only to be told that he died.
But her breast milk is still being taken and when she suspects the crying she hears is from her baby and not the neighbor's, she tries to taint the milk but is stopped.
Her suspicions confirmed, she drugs her nurse and goes through the closet and into the Castevets home.
And so Rosemary finds out that her baby is alive, has been kept in black coverings and is revered as the antichrist.
Roman convinces Rosemary to be just a mother to the baby. She need not join their cult but she needs to be a mother.
Rosemary relents. Although the baby looks demonic, she gives in to her maternal instincts.
The book had a bold ending given how everyone tries to play it safe nowadays.
The author wrote well in the woman's perspective. You learn to connect with Rosemary. She's so relatable. She has no airs, no inclination towards being a hero and is someone who could be just anybody.
She's a lovable and supportive housewife, a loyal friend, and a brave mother.
Rosemary's Baby is one of those books you have to read. The writing is simple and engaging. The story is naturally compelling and you will find yourself thinking about the book when you aren't reading it.
ROSEMARY'S BABY is one of those books you wish you had read earlier.
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