Old Reads. Son of Rosemary. Ira Levin. 1997 By Brian Kirst
While not nearly as successful as Rosemary’s Baby, Ira Levin’s sequel to his classic novel of horror, Son of Rosemary (dedicated to Rosemary actress Mia Farrow), is still a fast, furious and often fun read.
Set at the (then futuristic) dawn of the millennium, Rosemary wakes up from a 26 year long coma to find that her half-human/half-devil son, Andy, is a much beloved spiritual leader. Once they are reunited, Andy claims to have fully embraced goodness and light – although that doesn’t stop him from participating in erotically charged black masses — or from experiencing extreme incestuous longings for his long departed mother either.
As is his norm, Levin lays out such controversial notions with a swift ease and he wastes no words in the process, as well. His sentences are short and to the point and he delivers his long gestating story with punch and vigor. The truly heinous murder of a female associate of Andy’s causes some blood chilling moments (more craftily admirable as it is only described in past terms in various conversations) and as the story jogs to a quick close, one preps for another nihilistic ending akin to the first book.
Unfortunately, at the last moment, Levin trots out a twist that deadens the effect of both of the Rosemary novels—but just like many sequels, it will be very easy for readers to pretend that none of it happened when the next one rolls along.
Like you say, a fast and fun read more or less, but I felt the ending was such a kick in the teeth. I don't know if Levin just couldn't come up with a better ending, or if he stopped caring, or if he just wanted to flip the bird to his readers. Either way, it really soured the book for me in retrospect.