Ira Levin
Ira Levin was an American novelist, playwright, and songwriter. He is best known for his works in the horror and thriller genres, including 'Rosemary's Baby,' 'The Stepford Wives,' and 'The Boys from Brazil.' His works often explore themes of control, manipulation, and the darker sides of human nature.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Rosemary's Baby
The book revolves around a young couple, Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse, who move into an old New York City apartment building with a sinister reputation. Eager to start a family, Rosemary becomes pregnant under mysterious circumstances. As she becomes increasingly isolated and ill, she discovers that her husband and their eccentric neighbors have malevolent plans for her unborn child, which are tied to a diabolical pact with supernatural forces. Her paranoia and fear escalate as she uncovers the truth about a conspiracy that involves the birth of the Antichrist, leading to a chilling realization about the fate of her baby.
The 571st Greatest Book of All Time -
2. A Kiss Before Dying
In this gripping psychological thriller, a charming and manipulative young man becomes obsessed with achieving wealth and power, leading him to commit a series of calculated murders. As he weaves a web of deception, he targets a wealthy family and pursues a romantic relationship with the daughter, all while concealing his true identity and sinister intentions. With suspenseful twists and a shocking climax, this dark tale explores the depths of human obsession and the lengths one will go to achieve their desires.
The 806th Greatest Book of All Time -
3. The Boys From Brazil
The novel is a thrilling tale of Nazi hunters discovering a sinister plot by Josef Mengele, the infamous Auschwitz doctor, who is orchestrating a series of assassinations across the globe. The hunters uncover a chilling plan to clone Adolf Hitler and raise the resulting boys in environments similar to Hitler's own upbringing, in an attempt to recreate the Third Reich. As the protagonists race against time to thwart Mengele's plans, they face moral dilemmas and the terrifying prospect of history repeating itself through these young clones.
The 12936th Greatest Book of All Time -
4. This Perfect Day
In a dystopian future, society is controlled by a central computer system known as UniComp, which dictates every aspect of human life to ensure conformity and harmony. People are genetically engineered and regularly medicated to suppress individuality and maintain docility. The story follows Chip, a man who begins to question the system after experiencing moments of clarity and self-awareness. As he uncovers the truth about the world he lives in, Chip embarks on a journey of rebellion and self-discovery, challenging the oppressive regime and seeking freedom for himself and others.
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5. The Stepford Wives
In this chilling novel, a young couple, Joanna and Walter Eberhart, move to the seemingly idyllic suburban town of Stepford, Connecticut, where Joanna soon becomes suspicious of the eerily submissive and domestic behavior of the town's wives. As she befriends other newcomers, they begin to uncover a sinister truth about the transformation of these women, leading to a shocking revelation about the lengths to which the men of Stepford will go to maintain control. The story explores themes of gender roles, conformity, and the dark side of suburban life, leaving readers with a haunting commentary on societal expectations.
