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.

The Inheritors (published in 1969) - Written by Harold Robbins, about the entertainment industry

Harold Robbins 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 out came “Never love a Stranger” which courted 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 32 languages and estimated to sell 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.



Harold Robbins presents the last book on Hollywood in his “Trilogy of Greed”. Starting with “Dream Merchants”, followed by “Carpetbaggers” and ending with “The Inheritors” the tale moves with the generations chronicling, their quest for fame, money and power. The book tells the tale spanning ten years from 1955 to 1965, about the two man who find their friendship tested as they build a television empire. In his true style Robbins chronicles the saga of two men and their conquests, money, women and friendship. Steve gaunt is a quintessential alpha male who revels in getting what he wants. He does not have to work hard as women swoon for his chiseled features and money. Its really fishy, how he gets things go on his way, and sometimes one suspect the trick of hypnosis. So he walks in to a TV company and lands up the cushiest jobs in HR which gets him the the money, and the choicest of women. It helps to fall in love with the chairman’s daughter, Barbara to get to the top and Steve steers the company to the numero uno position.
Sam Benjamin rising up the ranks of the movie business is the perfect mate for Steve as he matches him in conquests and ambition. Soon they become friends and partners who can make the industry flush with cash. Steve, meanwhile divorces his wife and seduces women all over the world. In fact he has a tough time in keeping up with their names that he just calls them some girl and women love him for that. But fate has other plans as their friendship sour and egos lead to clashes, and doom descends. With Harold Robbins one can be sure that nice guys finish last and the jerk wins.
The book staying true to Robbin's literature is overloaded with graphic sexual details and violence. But it also has the insider view of the movie industry and intelligent conversations on stocks and business parameters. The speed is break neck as the characters collide and move on. For a Harold Robbins officianados it is value for money. Again PG rated and look out for the alpha male.