39 pages • 1 hour read •
The Stepford Wives
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Book Brief
144
Novel • Fiction
Stepford, Connecticut • 1970s
1972
HarperCollins Perennial
Adult
18+ years
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
47,432 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
47,432 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Walter Eberhart
Walter Eberhart
Walter is Joanna's husband who initially appears supportive but later becomes involved with the secretive Stepford Men's Association.
Bobbie Markowe
Bobbie Markowe
Bobbie is Joanna's close friend in Stepford, who shares her concerns about the strangely compliant behavior of the local women.
Ruthanne Hendry
Ruthanne Hendry
Ruthanne is a writer of children's books and a new resident in Stepford who shares feminist values with Joanna.
Charmaine Wimperis
Charmaine Wimperis
Charmaine is a potential ally to Joanna and Bobbie, known for her independence and initial dissatisfaction with Stepford's social norms.
The Stepford Wives
The Stepford Wives
The Stepford Wives are the unnaturally perfect and obedient women in the town who are focused solely on domestic duties.
Pete and Kim Eberhart
Pete and Kim Eberhart
Pete and Kim are Joanna and Walter's children, whose interactions often reflect Joanna's parental challenges.
Dale Coba
Dale Coba
Dale is the president of the Men's Association and a former Disney employee involved in creating the animatronic wives in Stepford.
The Stepford Wives was published in 1972 and quickly became a popular cultural reference point, inspiring numerous adaptations and contributing the term "Stepford wife" to the English language to describe a submissively compliant and beautiful woman.
Ira Levin, the author of The Stepford Wives, also wrote other renowned works like Rosemary's Baby and The Boys from Brazil, showcasing his talent in creating suspenseful and thought-provoking narratives.
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The novel subtly criticizes the women's liberation movements of the 1970s by exploring themes of suburban domesticity and control, making it an intriguing piece of feminist commentary reflective of its era.
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144
Novel • Fiction
Stepford, Connecticut • 1970s
1972
HarperCollins Perennial
Adult
18+ years
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