Book Review: 4 of 24

The Stepford Wives
by Ira Levin
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(I read this on a whim while reading Stephen King's Danse Macabre, which mentioned the movie and the novel on the chapter about horror films. I finished it in less than two hours, go me. *fails to mention her vision is blurry as all-get-out*)

Ira Levin may not be much of a household name these days, but respectful horror nerds (of both the literary and film varieties) must acknowledge his footprints on this metaphorical frontier. He first brought the world Rosemary's Baby, a story so deep-rooted in modern culture that you don't have to see the film in order to understand why it scared the bejeebus out of everyone. It became a popular film, one in the lauded tower with others such as The Shining and Halloween. In 1972, he did it again. In the wake of women's lib taking on the world, he released The Stepford Wives. The book, unlike his last hit, wasn't much into grisly horror. It instead punched readers and viewers (once the film was released) with subtle, even paranoid, horror.



The story follows Joanna, a pretty straightforward feminist. Despite the stereotypes that unfortunately still exist today, she is happily married with two kids. She freelances as a photographer. She and her husband Walter tag-team in taking care of household chores. Escaping the bustle of strenuous city life, they move to the idyllic suburb of Stepford, Connecticut. Wanting to form friendships, Joanna meets up with the women in town and makes an odd discovery: all the women are too busy with household chores to do anything. Not even to start a women's organization, since well, there's the Men's Association and no women are allowed. Walter, determined to change the sexist policy, joins the club. Joanna meets up with the only other woman that isn't obsessed with chores, a sprightly lady named Bobbie. As they play observer, they begin to suspect something insidious is affecting the women in town. There is brief relief when Joanna meets another unaffected woman, Ruthanne, a children's author and a feminist just like her. As Joanna digs deeper, she begins to put the pieces together.  But is it too late?

The style is a little bare, this might be explained away because of its length as a novella. The intensity, especially felt in the latter of the second part, crawls up and haunts the reader. Suddenly, all those random references and clues make more sense. Readers began to understand Joanna's fear and paranoia. At one point, Joanna goes to see psychiatrist outside of town, fearing her thoughts and actions are nothing more than stress:

"It sounds," Dr. Fancer said, "like the idea of a woman who, like many women today, and with good reason, feels a deep resentment and suspicion of men. One who's pulled two ways by conflicting demands, perhaps more strongly than she's aware; the old conventions on the one hand, and the new conventions of the liberated woman on the other."

The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin, page 111

With what's going on, could anyone blame Joanna for being suspicious of the men in Stepford? What is also interesting about this quote is that the "demands" spoken of here aren't a problem for Joanna. As the story earlier shows, she and her husband live side-by-side equally, working together to solve problems and raise their two kids. It is only later when Walter joins the club does the balance shift violently in his favor. We learn that there does exist a balance, but the two sides must be working together for it to occur. It's not a new concept, men having to understand that (egads!) women are fully-functional people with thoughts and feelings, and all. But man, sometimes people need to be reminded.

It is interesting to see a man comment fairly on feminism, especially doing the way Levin has done. The few women that are still independent come across as balanced people with careers, yet are equally devoted to their families. They are smart, ask questions, and are determined. So yea, no stereotypes! The odd thing is that the story offers no solutions. It's like Levin wrote this and then said "well, that's how it is" with a helpless shrug. Not that such a story shouldn't exist. At least, he doesn't blame it on women. Perhaps it is unfair to expect a solution in a horror novel, even on a topic as passionate as feminism. But that was the only question that lingered as the book came to its startling, yet unsurprising conclusion.

This book is a breezy read, can be finished in two sittings, at most. Comes recommended, especially to those who enjoy subtle horror. The Stepford Wives doesn't ask if there is nothing that can be done, but it does ask "can it happen?" If the phrase "Stepford wife" means anything, we may have our answer already.

COPYRIGHT NOTE: all bold quotes are from the novel and were written by the author himself. Those words are not my own.

ETA: Upon some searching on the interwebz, I'm stunned to see that the character of Ruthanne gets no love in the film adaptations. While her role is small, she deserves some screen time! She even plays a pivotal role in the end of the book. Then again, I may be biased. Lady writers are always for the win.