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Well, we are finally enjoying the first few week's of summer and it hasn't disappointed! Many are off enjoying the first few days of summer vacation while some, are enjoying their favorite mystery author. For this month, we will take a small segue into the world Ira Levin, the famous writer of Rosemary's Baby. This is great and all, but we are more interested in his suspense work first and foremost.
So, without further banter, let us begin looking into the world of this very gifted author.
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Ira Levin was born on August 27, 1929, in Manhattan, New York City. He grew up in both Manhattan and the Bronx. He was able to say he lived in both boroughs at one time or the other. His father, Charles, was a toy importer. Levin was educated at the private Horace Mann School in New York.
He attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa from 1946 to 1948 and then New York University, where he majored in philosophy and English. He graduated in 1950. He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, during the Korean War, from 1953 to 1955.
Levin was a writer who mastered the art of suspense. He began his career as a playwright, penning works like "No Time for Sergeants" and "Critic's Choice." However, it was his foray into the world of novels that would solidify his place in literary history.
Levin's early successes included "A Kiss Before Dying", which showcased his talent for weaving intricate plots and creating morally ambiguous characters. It was his 1967 novel "Rosemary's Baby," a chilling tale of a young woman who discovers her neighbors are a coven of Satanists, that truly catapulted him to international acclaim.
After college, Levin wrote training films and scripts for radio and television. The first of these was "Leda's Portrait", for Lights Out in 1951.
Levin's first produced play was "No Time for Sergeants" (adapted from the 1954 Mac Hyman novel), a comedy about a hillbilly drafted into the United States Air Force. It opened on Broadway in 1955 and starred Andy Griffith, whose career it jumpstarted. The play was adapted as a movie of the same name, released in 1958, with Griffith reprising his role and co-starring Nick Adams.
Later the concept was developed as a 1964 television comedy series starring Sammy Jackson. No Time for Sergeants is generally considered the precursor to Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Levin's best-known play is "Deathtrap", which holds the record as the longest-running comedy thriller on Broadway. Levin won his second Edgar Award with this play. In 1982, it was adapted into a film of the same name, starring Christopher Reeve and Michael Caine.
Now, Ira Levin started writing novels and his life changed entirely. Levin's first novel, "A Kiss Before Dying, was well received, and he won the 1954 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. A Kiss Before Dying was adapted twice as movies of the same name, first in 1956 and again in 1991.
Levin's best-known novel is Rosemary's Baby, a horror story of modern-day Satanism and other occultisms, set in Manhattan's Upper West Side. In 1968, it was adapted as a film written and directed by Roman Polanski. It starred Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes. Ruth Gordon won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance. Roman Polanski was nominated for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.
"The Stepford Wives" was also adapted into a successful film starring Katharine Ross and Nicole Kidman, exploring themes of female identity and societal expectations. The chilling "The Boys from Brazil," starring Laurence Olivier and Gregory Peck, captivated audiences with its exploration of the dark legacy of Nazi Germany.
Levin's works consistently delved into the darkest corners of human nature, exploring themes of manipulation, paranoia, and the fragility of societal norms. He masterfully crafted characters that were both relatable and unsettling, drawing readers into their psychological labyrinths. His ability to create a sense of unease and suspense permeated every page, leaving a lasting impact on the genre of suspense fiction.
Levin's writing often centered around themes of paranoia, isolation, and the manipulation of power. His protagonists often found themselves thrust into situations where reality blurred, and their own perceptions were called into question.
This created a sense of unease and suspense that kept readers on the edge of their seats. For example, "Rosemary's Baby" explores the themes of fear of the unknown, paranoia about one’s surroundings, and the unsettling power of cults and secret societies. "The Stepford Wives" dives into the terrifying prospect of conformity, gender roles, and the insidious nature of suburban life.
Levin's mastery of suspense lay in his ability to create a gradual build-up of tension, culminating in shocking and often unexpected twists. He crafted intricate plots with multiple layers of deception, drawing readers into a web of intrigue and suspense.
He was a master of manipulating reader expectations, leading them down a path of false assumptions only to reveal a startling truth. This made his stories particularly compelling and left a lasting impression on the minds of readers.
In the 1990s, Levin wrote two more bestselling novels: "Sliver" and "Son of Rosemary". Sliver was adapted as a film in 1993 by Phillip Noyce. It starred Sharon Stone, William Baldwin and Tom Berenger. Son of Rosemary was proposed as a film sequel to Rosemary’s Baby. It was never developed into a film.
Stephen King has described Ira Levin as the "Swiss watchmaker" of suspense novels: "Every novel he has ever written has been a marvel of plotting (...) he makes what the rest of us do look like those five-dollar watches you can buy in the discount drug stores."
Levin's life was marked by a tragic twist of fate. In 1999, he passed away at the age of 70 in his New York City apartment. His death was ruled as a fall due to an accidental overdose of prescription medications. However, the circumstances surrounding his demise have sparked speculation and questions about the true cause of his death.
Some believe that his demise may have been related to his work, given the dark themes that often permeated his writing. Others have suggested that his death may have been linked to his personal life, which was marked by a tumultuous divorce and a string of failed relationships.
Despite the questions surrounding his passing, Levin's legacy remains strong. His books continue to captivate and enthrall new generations of readers, ensuring that his name will be remembered as a master of suspense and a pioneer of the thriller genre.
His work serves as a reminder that the most compelling stories often lie at the intersection of reality and imagination, where darkness and light intertwine to create unforgettable narratives.
Now, we are done for this month's newsletter and now off to the pool and fun.
So, till next time, guys and gals...keep on reading.♥ |
Here is this month's list of some new and interesting stories for your reading pleasure:
| | | Sharif (13+)
Some desert raifers assist in the defeat of some bandits.
#2321324 by Beholden   |
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#2321223 by Not Available. |
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Now, on to this month's newsletter question. What time in the Air Force, gave Lovesey "the edge" in his professional life? It's an easy find if you read through it. And the extra question is: what three novels did Peter Lovesey write under his pen name?
One dear reader, Fictiøn Ðiva the Wørd Weava  took on this month's question challenge and won. Here is her answer:
What time in the Air Force, gave Lovesey "the edge" in his professional life? When he left the Air Force it also gave him an edge in starting his teaching career.
And the extra question is: what three novels did Peter Lovesey write under his pen name? Peter Lovesey wrote three novels in his pen name, Peter Lear, titled, "Goldengirl", (1977), "Spidergirl", (1980) and "The Secret of Spandau", (1986).
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much, Fictiøn Ðiva the Wørd Weava for your answer. I will get the MB of your choice to you as quickly as possible.
Now, to this month's question. In the question section, I asked the question: What branch of Army did he serve in? What was the war? The bonus question is about Levin's death. What did he die of?
The first five readers to answer the first question will receive a MB and as always, those who answer the bonus question will receive another MB for their involvement.
Thanks so much for reading this month's newsletter. I'm just tickled that you take the time to read mine. Here’s to the 101 one days of summer vacation, summer tans (and new) wonderful mystery reading (and writing) for you, till next time! |
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Mystery: June 19, 2024 Issue [#12602]
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