Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin -- A review by Eleanore G. Vance

 

 My first experience with Rosemary Woodhouse was the Roman Polanski film seventeen‐or -so years ago. Hubby and I lived in a wonderful old building in downtown Indianapolis known locally as The Admiral; and it was here that a neighbor lady showed me the film. Later she would drop by her personal copy of the novella,  complete with Joss Stone CD bookmark. It would take me fifteen more years to get around to reading it, and I am so glad I did!

Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse are newlyweds, looking for an apartment in the city. As Guy is an actor, a central location is essential. The same day that the couple signs a lease , they get a call from the Bramford. An apartment is suddenly vacant in the exclusive building with a sinister reputation.

They tour the apartment. Over the objections of Hutch, Rosemary's author friend, they take the apartment. After all, who cares about  reputation when they are closer to the theaters for Guy, and Rosemary loves it so!... If only they had listened to Hutch.

Shortly after the move, Rosemary meets a young woman staying with the older couple next door while doing laundry in the building's basement. The pair decide to be laundry buddies so they aren't creeped out in the laundry area, but before they can make good the young woman dies tragically. It is this death that leads to Rosemary and Guy meeting their nearest neighbors : Roman and Minnie Casto etc.

A dinner party between the two couples leads Guy to embrace friendship with the older couple. For Rosemary this is where it really begins to go sideways. I won't give you any more details, just know that it is beautifully written. Rosemary is so real coming off the page. If you are fortunate enough to have Audible you will find a recording narrated by the inimitable Mia Farrow.

This is technically the end of the review. I would like to give you a content warning, though, and that will involve  spoilers. You have been warned.

There are scenes and situations in this novella that some readers may find distressing, i do, including but not limited to: Sexual assault while under the influence,  gaslighting, and manipulation. This is where the real horror of Rosemary's Baby lies. I, personally spend the entire last quarter of the book mentally flipping off anyone who isn't Rosemary. I listened to it the first time while performing cleaning duties at my job and had to physically stop myself from verbally cursing certain characters as well.

Be on the look out for little Easter Eggs like Rosemary craving raw meat or Laura Louise's booties that are "entirely the wrong shape".

In my personal opinion, Rosemary's story illustrates and underlines why reproductive care centered on the needs of the mother, honoring her bodily autonomy,  is so very important. It is an object lesson of the type of care (mother neglectful) many women, especially minorities, receive. 

This story, like Atwood's The Hnndmaid's Tale reminds us to be vigilant about who and how much we as women trust those around us. After all, just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not really out to get you.

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Reviewer Eleanore G. Vance