Rare Book of the Day – Rosemary's Baby, Ira Levin. First Edition.

in #books7 years ago

Here's a classic for all you horror fans. Rosemary's Baby was Ira Levin's second novel, published in 1967, and sold 4 million copies making it the best-selling horror novel of the 1960s. The science fiction editor David Pringle called it "this sly, seductive impeccably-written horror novel ... is an expertly constructed story, a playwright's book, in which every physical detail and line of dialogue counts." Due to its enormous success, it started a 'horror' boom', where publishers were willing to take a chance on many more horror novels. It's a great one.

Rosemary's Baby tells the story of a young wife who gives birth to the Antichrist. A chilling tale for sure which, aided by Levin's narrative prowess, has strong and dark psychological undertones. Roman Polanski adapted it into an eponymously titled film in 1968, starring Mia Farrow and Cassavetes.

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Here's an awesome scene from the film where Rosemary discovers the child she just birthed is the Antichrist:

More info here:
http://www.rarebooksleuth.com/featured/rosemarys-baby-ira-levin-first-edition-first-printing

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Hi @rarebooksleuth thanks for posting the picture of the book Rosemary's Baby. Until I saw your post just now I'd always thought that it was only a movie. I had no idea that the book existed. I'm glad that there's people like you here on Steemit. I love books too (especially hard to find collectibles)!

Hi @nandibear! Thanks for the comment! This is one case where I think the film is as good as the book, although it's been awhile since I've read it.

HAIL SATAN!

Lol. Nice find!

This is great @rarebooksleuth. Really excited to follow you. And I'm definitely checking out this read.

My mother read the book Rosemary's Baby, and, according to what she told me, one major inconsistency between the book and the movie was that in the book, only the baby's eyes were like that of Satan. In the movie, not only were the baby's eyes like that of Satan, but his hands and feet were also like that of Satan. You'll notice in the clip in your article that the coven of witches are telling Rosemary Woodhouse to look at her baby's hands and feet if she doesn't believe that Satan was his father.