Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

The September 2025 New School novel will be The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin.

This early posting of the No Spoiler thread is to discuss any non-plot issues pertaining to the book.

Appropriate Posts can contain:
1. Information about the author.
2. Compare editions/translations.
3. Any historical or background information
4. Are you familiar with this author’s work? Do you have any expectations going into the book?
5. What made you decide to read this book?
6. Any fan fiction that you have read or would like to read? Just link the books.
7. If you loved the book and want others to share in that experience, use this thread to motivate others, again save plot specifics for the Spoiler thread
8. If you hated the book, it would be best to keep that for the spoiler page

The most important thing to remember is no plot discussion. Any post that contains plot information or spoilers will be deleted

I read this not too long ago, so I won't be rereading it with the group. But I did love it and I hope others will give it a try. It is so far the only book by Levin I have read and I was very impressed with his savvy narrative style. Aside from the core intent of the novel, it's a fascinating time capsule of late 1960s/early 1970s culture. The edition I read had an afterword by Peter Straub that is really worth reading as well if you have that particular edition.

CJ wrote: "I read this not too long ago, so I won't be rereading it with the group. But I did love it and I hope others will give it a try. It is so far the only book by Levin I have read and I was very impre..."

Thanks for the recommendation.

I read, The Boys from Brazil, my first book by Ira Levin earlier this year and enjoyed it enough to try another.

This win surprised me! My friends and I got a huge kick out of the film back in the 70's, and I'm looking forward to finding out what it's like as a read.

Bob wrote: "I read, The Boys from Brazil, my first book by Ira Levin earlier this year and enjoyed it enough to try another."

I did not realize The Boys from Brazil was based on a book. The movie is great.

I see that our library has a copy of this one. Wow, I remember seeing bits and pieces of the 70s film adaptation as a kid and being a little freaked out. (I never bothered to watch the 2004 version). I never knew this was a novel. I'll see if I have time to check it out.

I read this one less than a year ago so I won't be joining, but I thought it was great, you can really see how it has influenced stories since it was released. I also really enjoyed Rosemary's Baby, also by Levin, and I definitely recommend it to anyone looking to explore more of his works (the movie is a really faithful adaptation, but I think the book is a better medium for this story and also doesn't require engaging with Polanski's works). I think Levin is a really skilled writer, and it's interesting to see how his stories unfold.

Elizabeth wrote: "I read this one less than a year ago so I won't be joining, but I thought it was great, you can really see how it has influenced stories since it was released. I also really enjoyed Rosemary's Baby..."

I forgot that he wrote Rosemary's Baby. Wow, he has written some very dark and influential works.

I have read three books by the author. Rosemary's Baby, Boys from Brazil, and Sliver. The first one is exceptional. Looking forward to Stepford Wives.

Forgot to add that I have read Son of Rosemary too. A prime example of why not to write sequels.

Neer wrote: "Forgot to add that I have read Son of Rosemary too. A prime example of why not to write sequels."

Unfortunately, there are so many sequels that go south. There are some remarkable sequels too, don't get me wrong, but for some reason the sequels or other in the series sometimes stain the legacy of the original.

I read this book The Stepford Wives about 2000. It is a good book. The first movie is more true to the book and the second one more Hollywood, both enjoyable btw.

This read will be a new author for me. I have seen "Boys from Brazil", and "The Stepford Wives" films. I didn't realize they came from books. I had assumed those films were written originally as screenplays. I did know about "Rosemary's Baby" as a book, but since the film was scary enough I was never tempted to read it. Somehow I think reading a horror book - Carrie - is more frightening than the film. You can cover your eyes or tune out in the theatre.

since I nominated this, I guess I will probably join in with the group read ;o)
I've read Rosemary's Baby and was very impressed by the concise storytelling (so much so that the film screenplay virtually wrote itself!) so I'm looking forward to this one cos I'm not as familiar with the movie so it will be fresher to me...