‘The Stepford Wives’ by Ira Levin

My Review (4 stars out of 5)

In the town of Stepford, Connecticut, the population appears happy with their lot – satisfied husbands and beautiful house-proud wives. Moving to the town with her husband, Joanna Eberhart finds the perfect image projected by the women is a little too much to take. Along with her new pal, Bobbie – equally aghast at the seemingly perfect community – she begins to question her female neighbours, determined to uncover what it is that’s turned them into dull, submissive, stay-at-home wives…

I’ve read a few of Ira Levin’s books (The Boys from Brazil, Rosemary’s Baby etc) but this one feels like he didn’t put much effort into it. The story of the oddly submissive Stepford women is nevertheless fascinating, with its themes around control and the role of women in society. The tension builds along with the main character’s growing horror of what she believes she has uncovered, but compared to his other books, Levin’s use of language is clunky and lacks the quality I’ve come to expect from his writing. Also, it’s a little irritating that Joanna’s husband appears so easily drawn in to the Stepford men’s bizarre notion of the perfect wife. The change isn’t explained, though I suppose we’re meant to work it out for ourselves. All whinges aside, it’s still a great story and is as relevant today as it was when first published in the early seventies.

A thought-provoking and exciting tale.

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