Two Bloggers One Book - Rosemary's Baby

I've really started looking forward to my and Stormi's buddy reads each month. I have so much fun chatting with her about our choices and we are so good at planning them that we already have books picked out for November, December and January.  We both knew we wanted to do something special for October and Halloween and since we both had recently grabbed "Rosemary's Baby" it was the obvious choice,  So once you read my thoughts, make sure you head over to Stormi's blog, Books Movies Reviews, Oh My! and see what she thought.  

BUT FIRST, a little Halloween back story:

"Rosemary's Baby" has always held a special place in my heart because of my Dad.  In fact, I love telling people that my love for all things horror started in the womb.  When my parents were pregnant, my Dad took my mom to the drive-in theater.  He told her they were going to see a new movie, "Rosemary's Baby."  Now my mom does not like horror movies, books or anything.  But she didn't ask and Dad didn't tell.  In fact, she was totally prepared to watch a drama about a woman and her lovely child.  Well, she was not happy about Dad's choice of movies.  And she was worried the rest of her pregnancy that I would be born the child of Satan.  Man, if I had been cognizant of the fact, I'm sure I would have convinced Dad to put little black mittens on my hands when I was born and when Mom first held me.  It would have been hilarious.  On to the book!

TITLE: Rosemary's Baby (50th Anniversary Edition)
AUTHOR: Ira Levin
PUBLISHER: W.W. Norton & Company 
PUBLISHING DATE: March 12, 1967 (March 3, 2017)

FROM GOODREADS: Rosemary Woodhouse and her struggling actor husband Guy move into the Bramford, an old New York City apartment building with an ominous reputation and mostly elderly residents. Neighbors Roman and Minnie Castavet soon come nosing around to welcome the Woodhouses to the building, and despite Rosemary's reservations about their eccentricity and the weird noises that she keeps hearing, her husband takes a shine to them.


Shortly after Guy lands a plum Broadway role, Rosemary becomes pregnant—and the Castavets start taking a special interest in her welfare. As the sickened Rosemary becomes increasingly isolated, she begins to suspect that the Castavets' circle is not what it seems... 

MY THOUGHTS: "Rosemary's Baby" in my opinion is all about the atmosphere.  The creepy New York hotel, the weird and quirky neighbors, and mysterious happenings.  Most people know the story but it was nice to finally break down and read this novel.  Nothing about it really surprised me because I've seen the movie several times, and basically, I can say the movie is one the best book to movie adaptations I ever seen.  

Rosemary and her struggling-actor husband are newly married and land the apartment of their dreams at the Bramford.  Once they move in they meet their quirky elderly neighbors, Roman and Minnie Castavet, who quickly worm their way into the Woodhouse's lives.  As Guy's career starts to take off, thanks to some bad luck falling upon his competition, Rosemary is thrilled to become pregnant.  And basically, it all goes down hill from there.

I really wanted to smack Rosemary numerous times during this book.  She seemed so smart in the beginning and yet managed to make stupid decision after stupid decision.  How she could continue to trust Guy and her neighbors is beyond me and all I can say is yes, love must be blind.  At least back in 1967.  Whether you love them or hate them, it is quite an interesting trip getting to know all the players in "Rosemary's Baby" and despite knowing the ending, I was never bored with the tale.

I should also say that the special edition I read had a pretty lengthy forward which discussed the book's history as well as its transition into a movie.  While I usually skip these things, I'm glad I didn't in this case and I would urge others to read it as well.  I'm so glad Stormi and I chose "Rosemary's Baby" and I consider it a horror classic.  If you haven't read it and love horror, please consider picking it up.

RATING: 4 Stars