Never Leave Me (published in 1953) - A book by Harold Robbins, about a man on the make

Harold Robins is 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 were translated into 32 languages and estimated to be selling over 750 million copies. Many of his books were made into 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.
Harold Robins chronicles the jet set life style of New York where all morals and values pales before the altar of your bank account. In the big apple your status is determined not by your family, love or position, it takes in to account the the bank balance and the power of plastic. Into this big bad world enters Brad with stars in his eyes to make it big. He has his pretty wife Marge to set house for him and to love and cherish. As he climbs diligently up the corporate ladder, his efforts are noticed by the Steel Tycoon Matt Brady.



Brady recruits him aggressively dangling dollops of carrots in terms of money, women and all luxuries. Brad, soon under the pay roll of the millionaire, falls in to the decadent life style. He meets the sexy seductress Elaine and embarks on a steamy affair which would make even Lady Chatterley blush. Robbins goes over board with his steamy revelations and graphic sex scenes.
Brad soon develops a conscience, as he gets to know Brady and this anomaly is a surprise development. As Brad quits, Brady becomes a jealous ex-employer who is all set to ruin him. Soon his business and along with it his mistress also departs with only handful of friends left to console him. So Brad returns to his wife, turns a new leaf to live again.
Never Leave me delivers nothing in terms of a story, climax or emotions. It is just a collection of graphically detailed sex orgies totally aimed at a hormonal teenage readership. There is no mature content and many surprise developments actually makes one wonder about the tautness of the plot. In-fact this is one of Robbin’s last book with his publisher Knoft who let him go inspite of his zooming popularity. It is another tale that Robbins made a killing with Simon & Schuster, but it was his banal sex descriptions which disgusted Knof. So Never Leave me can never be said a literary benchmark on which you should base your reading habits.

A Stone for Danny Fisher (published in 1952) - The story of a fighter during the Great Depression

Harold Robins is 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 into 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.
A Stone For Danny Fisher is the most accomplished book from the the Harold Robins stable. Many may not consider the Robins books as literary masterpieces, but the saga of the young boxer from the Brooklyn slums comes close to it. Even the critics consider this book as one of the best read stories of the time.



Through the pages one can glimpse the trials and tribulations of a Jewish Boy, Danny Fisher, living in post war America. Danny lives through the hate, race violence and the occasional skirmish, to become the lead boxer of the school. His relations with his father suffers progressively and the money issues compound it. Sam Goetlib his coach is the closest to a benefactor Danny has and he even pays the money for his coaching.
As Danny climbs the rungs of the boxing ladder, his bouts actually earn him the money and worse he gets offered absurd amounts to fix his matches. He holds on to his games till the time his father actually implores him to bail him out of bankruptcy. Danny pockets the five thousand dollars and tries hard to throw the match which he ends up winning. Thus on the run and disgraced, he returns to the fringes of the society. Shunned by all he loves he embraces brutality, first passively looking on, and later embracing it. With this new found brotherhood of pugnaciousness he gets the money, maidens and all his heart desires. But soon the castle of cards crumbles, and Danny is left naked to the harsh glares of life. His true friends, his childhood sweetheart and erstwhile coach bail him out and his son. This help Danny to start a new life.
A stone for Danny Fisher does pull your heart strings and unlike other Harold Robbins books, there is no graphic content to take you away from the story. This book was made in to a movie, King Creole starring Elvis Presley. This book is a great way to steal away some time for yourself.