Ira Levin
Ira Levin
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Ira Levin was born as Ira Wolfert Levey on August 27, 1929. He is often referred to by his pseudonym, Jerrard Terrance.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: August 27, 1929
Died: November 21, 2007
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Ira Levin was an American playwright and novelist. He is best known for his suspenseful and psychological thrillers that often explored the darker aspects of human nature.
Early Life and Background
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Levin was born in New York City to a family of Jewish immigrants. His father, David Levey, was a tailor who had fled Poland during World War I. Levin's mother, Minnie Wolfert, was an American-born woman from a family of Russian Jews. Growing up in the Bronx, Levin developed a love for writing at an early age and began penning short stories and poetry as a teenager.
Major Accomplishments
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Levin's most notable works include The Stepford Wives, a novel published in 1972 that explores the theme of suburban conformity and the objectification of women. The novel was adapted into a film directed by Bryan Forbes in 1975, starring Katharine Ross and Paula Prentiss.
Other notable works include:
_A Kiss Before Dying_ (1956), a novel about a young man who murders his girlfriend to avoid being drafted into the military.
_The Boys from Brazil_ (1976), a novel that explores the themes of anti-Semitism and cloning, adapted into a film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner in 1978.
* _Rosemary's Baby_, a novel published in 1967 about a young woman who becomes pregnant with the devil's child after being drugged at a party.
Notable Works or Actions
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Levin's writing often explored themes of anxiety, paranoia, and the darker aspects of human nature. His works were known for their psychological complexity and suspenseful plots, which captivated readers and audiences alike. Levin was also a prolific playwright and wrote several plays that premiered on Broadway during his lifetime.
Impact and Legacy
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Ira Levin's impact on popular culture cannot be overstated. His novels and plays have been widely read and performed for decades, influencing countless writers and filmmakers in the process. His exploration of themes such as anti-Semitism, conformity, and the objectification of women helped to raise awareness about these issues and sparked important conversations.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Levin's works continue to be widely quoted and remembered due to their thought-provoking themes and suspenseful plots. His exploration of the darker aspects of human nature resonated with readers and audiences, making him one of the most beloved and respected authors of his generation.
His legacy continues to inspire new generations of writers and filmmakers, ensuring that his works remain relevant and timely for years to come.
Quotes by Ira Levin
They gave Mrs. Cortez a check for five hundred and eighty-three dollars – a month’s rent in advance and a month’s rent as security –.
Hessen? Dr. Mengele. Everything’s fine, there’s nothing to worry about. Exactly the amateur I expected. I don’t think he even understood German. Send the boys home to practice their signatures; it was just an excitement to round off the evening. No, not till 1977, I’m afraid; I fly back to the compound as soon as we clean up. So go with God, Horst. And say it for me to the others: ‘Go with God.’” He hung up and said, “Heil Hitler.
Before that I wanted to be a magazine illustrator – I probably would have painted Gothic scenes.
Chip frowned and looked at Lilac. She was packing books into the carton, not looking at him. He looked back at King and sought words. ‘It would still be worth knowing,’ he said. ‘Being happy or unhappy – is that really the most important thing? Knowing the truth would be a different kind of happiness – a more satisfying kind, I think, even if it turned out to be a sad kind.
A chance to sit quietly and find out who you are; where you’ve been and where you’re going.
