79 Park Avenue (published in 1955) - Authored by Harold Robbins

Harold Robins was one of the prolific writers of the 21st century. Born Harold Rubin, his parents were Russian and Polish immigrants. After dabbling in sugar futures he took up a job in Universal pictures which propelled his interest towards writing. Thus came out “Never love a Stranger” which courted a controversy for its graphic sexual content. Soon Robbins would become a prolific writer churning out innumerable best sellers. He had this knack of mixing up a thriller with sex and historical anecdotes to create a taut mystery.
The worlds favorite author, Harold Robins would publish over 20 books which are translated in to 32 languages and estimated to be selling over 750 million copies. Many of his books were made in to successful movies, the very first being “A stone For Danny Fisher” which was adapted as “King Creole” starring Elvis Presley. The stories were also made in to mini series and were part of documentaries. Robbins also lived a jet setting life style with cars, wine and women at his disposal. His decadent life style along with those of the high and mighty of Hollywood is often mirrored in his books. Robbins was one of the authors honored with a star on the Hollywood walk of frame. This prolific writer died of a cardiac arrest at the age of 81 in Palm Springs, California.



79 Park Avenue is one of most depressing book one can ever encounter. Robbins usually has a high erotic content in his books, but the terrible sexual abuse the heroine Marja Fluujincki (and that's a real crazy name, even it is Polish) has to encounter is completely tasteless. Marja is a long legged, well endowed polish beauty who has a loveless childhood. She is molested and raped by all the men in her life and even by her stepfather. After being impregnated by her stepfather she is imprisoned and not allowed an abortion. She escapes and reaches the land of opportunities, New York and rises on the rungs as a model.
As one expects a respite in the abuse saga, she is again raped and then forced in to prostitution. From a teenage prostitute Marja goes on to be a highly paid call girl and ultimately a mob boss's mistress. But the house of cards come down as the mob man husband is bumped off. She becomes a mob mistress and as a top madam she is arrested for procurement, thus fate bringing her the first nice guy in her life, the prosecution attorney, Mike Keyes. So after a couple of encounters Marja is all set for her happily ever after.
Even after this happy ending this book leaves a bad taste in one's mouth. The graphic rape scenes actually just keeps the bile rising up. It is depressing and tiring on ones nerves. The kissing scenes and love makings scenes are actually a blink and go which is usually against the Robbins ethos. An highly improbable story, graphic disturbing sexual content and a diabolic characters leave a bad after taste. Not very recommended, and to think that Harold Robbins dedicated this to his wife makes it highly amusing.