3.5⭐️ A fascinating look at the role for women through the past few centuries. I’m mostly familiar with the Stepford Wives from the movie.

*many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the gifted copy

Thank you Blackstone Publishing, Netgalley and Ira Levin for the audio arc of The Stepford Wives.

Having read this classic a long time ago, I was excited to see this as an audiobook. This book, even though was written back 1972, it still a classic and packs a punch. We follow Joanna, a talented photographer who moves to a new home with her husband and children. Being a photographer and ever observant, she soon comes to realise that something odd is happening to the women in this upper class gated community. The character building, even though this is a novella, is great, you get a sense of who everyone is, especially our MFC, Joanna.


This is definitely a feminist horror, fast paced and descends effortlessly into dread. You now what's happening, you know what's coming and you see the characters fall one by one to their fate. Even though it's written at a time of role modelling within the family home ( Women at home, men at work ) it goes a lot deeper into how we, as women , should look, be presented and how to act. In a lot of ways, it's still very relevant even today. For me, that's scary because have we come full circle? Shudders at the thought!

4.5 stars for Storygraph Rounded to 4 stars for other sites

I knew the basic plot of The Stepford Wives, but I had never read the book or seen the movie. I was very grateful for this audio release in order to know the whole tale! I found the story very engaging and still relatable even though it was written in 1972.

The Stepford Wives is a classic that I have always loved.

I really enjoyed this audio version of it & the narrator was great which is always so important when it comes to audiobooks.

Ira Levin’s “The Stepford Wives” is a novel that has seeped into the fabric of our cultural consciousness, becoming more than just a story but a term that evokes a particular brand of eerie perfection. This dark suburban tale, which masterfully blends psychological suspense with elements of science fiction, continues to resonate with readers for its compelling narrative and frightening relevance.

At the heart of Levin’s novel is Joanna Eberhart, a character who embodies creativity and self-possession. Her move to the picturesque town of Stepford, Connecticut, with her family marks the beginning of an unsettling journey. The town, with its flawless wives and immaculate homes, seems ideal on the surface. However, Joanna’s initial curiosity about the uniformity of the local women quickly morphs into a deep concern as she uncovers a sinister reality that threatens her very existence.

Levin’s work is a sardonic critique of societal expectations and the role of women within the domestic sphere. It is this satirical wit that infuses the novel with a unique flavor, setting it apart from mere thrillers. The Stepford Wives has left an indelible mark on popular culture, inspiring numerous adaptations and influencing later works such as Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” and Jordan Peele’s “Get Out.” Its title has become shorthand for a certain type of domestic dystopia, where individuality is sacrificed at the altar of conformity.

The chilling nature of the book is not just in its climax but in its build-up; the tension is palpable as Joanna’s investigation leads her down a path of no return. The ending, as many readers including myself have found, is particularly disturbing—a testament to Levin’s skill in crafting a narrative that stays with the reader long after the final page is turned.
,January LaVoy is the narrator of the story and she plays a crucial role in delivering the unsettling atmosphere of Stepford. Through their voice, we experience the growing horror alongside Joanna, making the journey all the more immersive and chilling. It is a narration that captures the essence of Levin’s storytelling—dark, disturbing, yet utterly captivating.

This edition of “The Stepford Wives,” complete with an afterword by Peter Straub, offers additional insight into the novel’s enduring legacy. As we revisit this modern classic, we are reminded of its power to captivate and unnerve, ensuring that the story of Stepford’s wives will continue to engross new generations of readers.

In conclusion, Ira Levin’s “The Stepford Wives” remains a potent exploration of identity, autonomy, and societal pressure. Its ability to disturb speaks to the depth of its characters and the precision of its social commentary. For those who have yet to experience its thrills, prepare to be engrossed by a narrative that is as relevant today as it was at the time of its publication. And for those revisiting Stepford, the chills await, as fresh and unsettling as ever.

A classic. There really isn't any criticism I can make on the actual story.
The narrator was well chosen. They were perfect for this book and really brought this story to life!
Definitely 5⭐️

<b>4.5 Stars</b>
This is such a brilliant classic that turns gender roles in traditional marriages into a horror story. The narrative starts out slow and subtle but ultimately delivers a big punch. It's one that I love more each time I reread it.

The audiobook narration fit the story perfectly and really brought these women to life. I would highly recommend this classic to readers looking for a fantastic feminist horror story.

Disclaimer I received a copy of the New audiobook to reread for review.

I've been wanting to read this book for a loooong time, so I was really excited to see it on NetGalley and be approved for it! Unfortunately, my memory of the 2004 movie adaptation prepared me for a different ending, but I still loved it. Probably even more because not everything can have a happy ending... This seemed more fitting, even if it was a shame that the wives weren't able to get their revenge. The proper ending works best for the satire, though, which I didn't realize this book was, so it gave me plenty to think about afterward.

I have always loved the adaptations that I've seen but this is the first time that I've encountered the original. I think it's always interesting with a story such as this to hear it away from the glitzy visuals that countless adaptations give it. I particularly loved the narrator for the audiobook as she gave a flair and character to the world of the book. It's a story that still works today and almost tracks what has happened in the modern moment. It's even more sinister than I remember from the adaptations and feels like a real thriller with a much darker message at its core. The cleverness of the novel can't really be said without spoiling it but you're kept on the edge the entire way through - even when you think you know the story.

When I saw there was a new edition audiobook for THE STEPFORD WIVES by Ira Levin, I snatched it up real quick because while I love all the adaptations of his work that I have watched, I have to confess that this was my first time listening to/reading his work. Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher @blackstonepublishing for the audio-ARC.

As most know the premise of this book, I won't waste words on that but will just give some thoughts. This was a short listen clocking in at about 4 hours so I gobbled it up in one sitting. The story is pretty straight forward and is mostly driven by dialogue between characters and the inner thoughts of the main protagonist. The sinister nuances lurk below the surface though and there is gaslighting for days.

Even though the story reads really easy, there is clearly so much more being said here about women's rights, outdated social norms and sinister intentions. I enjoyed the story and most definitely will pick up at least ROSEMARY'S BABY based on my experience here.

🤖🤖🤖

Have you ever read this one or seen any of the adaptations? I love using the term Stepford to describe eerily clean, organized and "polite" experiences or places and now I can claim that I have read the origin story! Woo hoo!

💚SMASHBOT💚

#booksta #iralevin #thestepfordwives #blackstonepublishing
#booknerd #netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #bookreviewer #audiobooks #audiobookreview #bibliophile #bookstagram

This was short, snappy & packed a punch. An interesting, unsettling, eerie & well executed story that gave me some “don’t worry darling” vibes and delivered a quick but engaging read. I had no idea this was originally published in the 70s and had originally requested this based off the super intriguing cover! Will definitely be watching the movie now ☺️

Reading a book for the first time already knowing everything about it, especially after watching and loving the movie several times, is a daunting task. You never know if it will live up to expectations or if you'll be left disappointed. Rest assured, the book *does not disappoint* in any way!

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy!

Another wonderful suspenseful story by Ira Levin. Bring in a world where wives become submissive to their husband's. The narrator dows such a wonderful job bring this story to life. Joanna is a photographer who loves her career but moving to Steford,Connecticut where wives are all stay home mothers and are content being a house wife. This world takes on a sinister twist that even though I knew the story I found myself on the edge with anticipation. Highly recommen listening to this audiobook.

Listening to this book was such an enjoyable experience. I had forgotten how brilliant Levin was. This book is short and concise and packs a punch. Levin was the master of saying so much with very few words. Written during the women’s lib movement this book was groundbreaking in its portrayal of women fighting for a place in the world that was more than that of an ornamental housewife. Levin had a gift for writing about the inner lives of women and their struggles in a way few male writers have managed to do. And while this book does read as a time capsule of the early 1970s, it is still an effective and timely read in a world where the rights of women are systematically being stripped again. This is a near perfect audiobook. Short and concise, it has a wonderful narration and I listened to it in one sitting. This one was really brought to life with this well executed audiobook. Thank you to @netgalley for this arc.

I can't remember a time where I didn't *know* about The Stepford Wives as referenced in pop culture, but had never read it. Classified as a horror book, I found it more of a psychological thriller and one that seems to be quite relevant 50+ years later (and by this, I mean society seems to be regressing in stripping away a lot of the hard-fought for rights of women to be treated as equals and have autonomy, etc., etc.) I know lots of readers don't like an ambiguous ending, but I'm not one of them, so I was quite happy and I came away with lots to think about. A short, tight, thought-provoking book.

January LaVoy did a great job narrating the audiobook, as usual.

👰🏼‍♀️Book Review👰🏼‍♀️
*
Summary- Few novels have enshrined themselves in the collective consciousness to the degree The Stepford Wives has. Levin’s sardonic critique has been spun off into countless film and television adaptations, from 1975’s original Katharine Ross filming to 2004’s Nicole Kidman offering—and its influence can be felt in later works from The Handmaid’s Tale to Get Out. Its title alone has become part of our common lexicon.
Joanna Eberhart is a creative, self-possessed wife and mother, newly arrived in seemingly idyllic Stepford, Connecticut. But as she and her family begin settling in, she’s jarred by the unaccountable sameness of the local wives: all flawlessly attractive, with perfectly maintained homes—and little seeming interest in anything else. As curiosity turns to concern, Joanna finds herself unraveling a web of malice that threatens her very existence. 
*
Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*
My thoughts- wow, what a classic banger! This is my first time reading The Stepford wives and the audiobook for this was fantastic (in and out in less than 6 hours). I loved the pacing of this and the world building. SciFi is not usually my thing but I still have a massive audiobook hangover from this. Overall I found this story to be massively exciting, all I knew of this one was the Nicole Kidman and Matthew Broderick movie from my childhood that I loved 😂. This one is so good and so abrupt, chefs kiss !
*
QOTD- what is your ideal partner like ?! Mine is silly and attractive and a great listener !
*

I am so happy this is now an audiobook! Accessibility is fantastic and the classics should not be excluded


I grew up with the phrase "stepford wives" but had not read the story before. Honestly, we do that take an injustice with the way the phrase is used; for it is not just perfect women with spotless houses but instead robotic women who have had every "flaw" every "imperfection" erased-including their background, education, personality.

My only critique for the story (not that anyone asked me 50 years after its publishing) but I would love to know what happened to the real women- and also what really goes on in the giant gated mansion on the hill

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my copy of this audiobook.

This was my first time reading this book even though it came out in 1972. I liked it more than I thought I would. I would probably rate it a 3.5 out of 5, but I rounded to 4 stars for this book.

In this classic short story, we visit Levin's Stepford, Connecticut, a little community with good schools and boring wives. Joanna moves with her husband and children out of the big city and into this small town. A town that is backward thinking in the face of the women's liberation movement. There is a great men's club, but nothing for women. As we follow Joanna she watches her friends change before her eyes and discover what is really happening in Stepford.
I have seen in 2004 movie based, loosely, on this short, and of course, I have heard of this story as well, but this is my first exposure to it. I find it interesting that this is classified as a horror novel, but I guess it makes sense, with the presumed murder of the town women. I mean, we never find out what happened to them. I thought this was a great commentary on society of the day, and probably would fit in today's thinking as well. My biggest takeaway was the afterward with Peter Straub who mansplained the book for us, I know he was a big name or is a big name, but I could have done without that. It kind of put a pin in the missing point in my opinion. Great narration love the classic tale, still holds up after all of these years.

This book was FANTASTIC! If you have seen the movie and think you don't need to read the book, you are wrong. Read the book! It is very well written and is so relevant to what is going on in our world today with AI and people trying to control women and the traditional wife movement. Read this book! The narrator did a fantastic job with the reading and kept me interested.