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39 pages 1 hour read

The Stepford Wives

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1972

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Book Brief

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Ira Levin

The Stepford Wives

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1972
Book Details
Pages

144

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Stepford, Connecticut • 1970s

Publication Year

1972

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin follows Joanna Eberhart, who moves to Stepford, Connecticut, and suspects something is amiss with the town's women who are eerily obsessed with housework and submissive to their husbands. As Joanna investigates, she uncovers unsettling truths about the Men's Association and the mysterious transformation of the Stepford wives.

Mysterious

Unnerving

Dark

Contemplative

Suspenseful

Reviews & Readership

4.1

47,432 ratings

68%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin is lauded for its suspenseful narrative and sharp social commentary on suburban life and gender roles. Critics appreciate Levin's gripping and eerie prose, though some feel the character development is thin. The novel's satirical edge remains impactful, making it a thought-provoking read despite its brevity.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Stepford Wives?

Readers captivated by societal satire, psychological thrillers, and feminist themes will enjoy Ira Levin's The Stepford Wives. Fans of The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood and 1984 by George Orwell will appreciate this chilling exploration of conformity and control in suburban life.

4.1

47,432 ratings

68%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Character List

Joanna Eberhart

Joanna is an aspiring photographer and feminist trying to balance her personal ambitions with her roles as a mother and wife while living in Stepford.

Walter is Joanna's husband who initially appears supportive but later becomes involved with the secretive Stepford Men's Association.

Bobbie is Joanna's close friend in Stepford, who shares her concerns about the strangely compliant behavior of the local women.

Ruthanne is a writer of children's books and a new resident in Stepford who shares feminist values with Joanna.

Charmaine is a potential ally to Joanna and Bobbie, known for her independence and initial dissatisfaction with Stepford's social norms.

The Stepford Wives are the unnaturally perfect and obedient women in the town who are focused solely on domestic duties.

Pete and Kim are Joanna and Walter's children, whose interactions often reflect Joanna's parental challenges.

Dale is the president of the Men's Association and a former Disney employee involved in creating the animatronic wives in Stepford.

Book Details
Pages

144

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Stepford, Connecticut • 1970s

Publication Year

1972

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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