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.

The Princess Casamassima (published in 1886) - A novel by Henry James

Henry James was one of the greatest literary figures of the 19th century and his works are considered mini masterpieces of the time. He was born in New York City in to a wealthy and intellectual family. Young James was tutored in the many learning centers of Europe and also studied at the Harvard Law School for some time. But he liked his literary pursuits to the study of law. James preferred living in Europe than in America and even renounced his American Citizenship for its refusal to enter in to World War I. He was a regular contributor to literary magazines and started his first novel “Watch and Ward” in his early twenties. His masterpieces like “Daisy Miller” and “Portrait of a Lady” quickly followed. His protagonist are complex individuals battling personal and provincial prejudices and many a time bring about the complexities of American and European lives. Henry James died at the age of 65 and his ashes are interred at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
How does one come up in society which values class, birth and money? For the poor whose very existence is tough and are reviled by the rich, the gulf is too much to bridge. So is revolution an answer where the poor are mere myrmidons to carry out the orders of their masters? These are the questions which shoots out in this politically charged novel by Henry James.
Hyacinth is born out of wedlock, a byproduct of a relationship between a French prostitute and a English lord. His mother stabs the Lord when he refuses to accept the paternity and is subsequently jailed. He is brought up by Amanda Pynsent, an impoverished seamstress who is his mothers dear friend. Pynsent feels a fire inside Hyacinth and gets him educated and he becomes a skilled book binder. Well in to his youth he meets his dying mother in prison and is filled with revulsion at his own state of affairs and the perfidy of the rich.



The coarseness of his existence forces Hyacinth to struggle to get out of the rut, but is prevented from doing so because of his low station in society which places too much premium on birth. He finds a date with Millicent Henning who loves him unreservedly. But Hyacinth in his angst rejects her love and falls for the beauteous princess Cassamassima. Princess Cassamassima is a bored aristocrat separated from her husband and Hyacinth reminds her of her own humble origin before her marriage. She encourages his attention and he too falls for her charms. Hyacinth also mistakenly believes that the Princess's attention will catapult him in to her society ultimately redeeming his social standing.
Hyacinth meets the shadowy political revolutionary, for whom revolutionary ideals are a stepping stone to fulfill his ambitions of power. Paul Munificent recruits Hyacinth and assigns him the task of assassinating a capitalistic aristocrat. Meanwhile the Princess too comes under the influence of Munificent and his charm and bed room prowess makes her discard Hyacinth. Caught in a bind between committing murder and rejection Hyacinth realizes the futility of revolution. But it is too late to turn back, as failing to do his duty would bring him the wrath of revolutionaries and the success would put him in the cross-hairs of the law. Hyacinth turns the gun on himself understanding the futility of either course.
This melancholy book would not be much relevant today where upward mobility is possible through hard-work and talent. But in Victorian England and many societies of today where birth is a premium, this story holds true. I found the work a very poignant tale of a man caught in the class war where redemption would have been a miracle. Princess Cassamassima is one of Henry James's less successful books, but I feel it is a much needed reality check too.

Washington Square (published in 1880) - Originally published as a short story by Henry James

Henry James was one of the greatest literary figures of the 19th century and his works are considered mini masterpieces of the time. He was born in New York City in to a wealthy and intellectual family. Young James was tutored in the many learning centers of Europe and also studied at the Harvard Law School for some time. But he liked his literary pursuits to the study of law. James preferred living in Europe than in America and even renounced his American Citizenship for its refusal to enter in to World War I. He was a regular contributor to literary magazines and started his first novel “Watch and Ward” in his early twenties. His masterpieces like “Daisy Miller” and “Portrait of a Lady” quickly followed. His protagonist are complex individuals battling personal and provincial prejudices and many a time bring about the complexities of American and European lives. Henry James died at the age of 65 and his ashes are interred at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Washington Square is a tragi-comedy by Henry James which tells the relationships and conflicts between a father and his dutiful daughter. This short novel appeared as a monthly piece in the Corn-hill Magazine and Harper's New Monthly Magazine.
Dr. Austin Sloper is a widower who resents his plain daughter Catherine and still mourns the death of his wife and a brilliant son. He considers Catherine to be a dull and boring personality devoid of any personality. His house is maintained by his sister, widowed Lavinia Penniman who is a hardcore romanticist. She is a brash old thing who pokes her nose in to other's affairs.



Catherine meets Morris Townsend, a penniless gold digger who sweeps her off her feet. Townsend woos her and proposes marriage. Mrs. Penniman who loves romance and melodrama encourages and aides Townsend's actions. But Dr. Sloper sees through him and forbids Catherine to have any relationship with him. Townsend moves back to live with his sister and Sloper takes his daughter away.
Catherine, for all her waify ways has an iron will and she decides that she wouldn't not throw away her love on mere suspicion. She goes with her father on a twelve month grand tour of Europe. All through the journey Sloper mentions Townsend only twice signaling his contempt. His threat to disown Cathrine also does not have any effect on the girl.
On the final leg of the journey Slopper broaches the subject of Morris Townsend and Catherine firmly refuses to give him up. Her loyalty enrages him and he refers her derogatorily as a “pig fattened for slaughter”. This is the last straw for Catherine who has put up with his contemptuous behavior and she distances herself away from her father.
Upon her returns Catherine convinces Townsend about her loyalty and love, but he breaks off the relationship when he discovers that she has been cut off from Sloper's money. This breaks Catherine's heart which would never mend again. She rejects suitors and lovers as the injury despairs her soul. Dr. Sloper passes away with out leaving her all the money for the fear of Townsend making an appearance again. His suspicions are proved correct. Townsend indeed makes a return after a long time, smelling money. He tries to rekindle the relationship. But Catherine sees through his ploy and refuse to be led down the garden path again. At the end of the novel she picks up her life and resolves to live it as it unravels.
This novel was not very much liked by James and he had fought its inclusion in the New York Edition of his work. But it still proves one of Henry James's popular novels. Its breezy romance and the ever suffering heroine does evoke sympathy. It has all the ingredient of a tragic love story which brings a lump to your heart. Read it for its poignancy.

Roderick Hudson (first serialized in 1875) - Written and later revised by Henry James

Henry James was one of the greatest literary figures of the 19th century and his works are considered mini masterpieces of the time. He was born in New York City in to a wealthy and intellectual family. Young James was tutored in the many learning centers of Europe and also studied at the Harvard Law School for some time. But he liked his literary pursuits to the study of law. James preferred living in Europe than in America and even renounced his American Citizenship for its refusal to enter in to World War I. He was a regular contributor to literary magazines and started his first novel “Watch and Ward” in his early twenties. His masterpieces like “Daisy Miller” and “Portrait of a Lady” quickly followed. His protagonist are complex individuals battling personal and provincial prejudices and many a time bring about the complexities of American and European lives. Henry James died at the age of 65 and his ashes are interred at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Roderick Hudson is a novel where Henry James found his niche in literature. He wrote about the complexities of human relationships and the proclivities of American and European culture. Rowland Mallet is a wealthy man and an art connoisseur who sees the sculpture of Roderick Hudson and realizes that he is a gifted artist. He offers to fund his travel through Italy so as to improve his artistic talents. Mallet meets Roderick's Mother and Cousin Mary Hudson with whom he falls completely in love. As he is about to confess his feelings Roderick reveals to him that Mary has accepted hid proposal for marriage. Mallet suppresses his feelings and moves to Italy.



In Italy Roderick flourishes as an original talent but his bad behavior and tendency to gamble makes him a despised man. Mallet meanwhile dates an upcoming artist Augusta Blanchard to try and forget Mary. Roderick on the other hand finds a scintillating beauty Christina who is a gold digger. Roderick is swept off his feet and manages to win her approval to sculpt her bust. Soon his interactions with Christina increases and his infatuation drives him to insanity. Mallet tries to intervene for Mary's sake and informs him that Christina is engaged to a rich Neapolitan Prince. He also informs Christina about Mary and in-spite of his mental duress brings in Mrs. Hudson and Mary to try and save Roderick.
But Roderick's flip flop continues as he fails to complete his assignments. Christina has him in her snares and toys with his emotions. She even berates Mary at a party and Mary treats her as a fake. Rowland advises Christina to stay away from Roderick as she has married the Prince. In the meantime debts have mounted for Roderick who is unable to undertake any work. His mother and Mary ask him move back home, but Mallet asks them to move to Switzerland so that he can be close to Mary. Roderick in the mean time says that he is giving up on Mary and a chance meeting with Christina fans his desire. He begs money from mallet to join Christina in Interlaken in-spite of her married status.
Roderick dies in a storm on the way to Interlaken and a grief-stricken Mary and his Mother return home. Mallet too follows them and hope for a better day. A very complex novel and a a superb narration which makes you feel the emotions of the protagonist in your midst. A must read for all classic lovers.

Captains Courageous (published in 1897) - Written by Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling, a Nobel laureate was born in India to a vivacious Alice Kipling and sculptor Painter, John Kipling. His works range from poems, to children's books. Rudyard was a English language writer whose prose is peppered with colloquial usage and languages mainly from India which opens a window to the prevailing culture and customs of the time. His children's stories are the most endured classics of the time and his short stories are the most sought after. Many of his works are deemed to be controversial as the time progressed. Rudyard Kipling was the product of an imperial India where imperialism under Queen Victoria was at its heights. His poems like White Mans burden are often sited as a clarion call for the imperialist and has been criticized by subsequent humanist. But as one of the youngest Nobel Prize recipient for English Language, the place for Kipling in human history cannot be discounted and his prose and poems enthuse millions even today. Kipling died in 1936 in London and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
This is one of my favorite childhood books which hold a fascination even today. This coming of age story of a rich millionaire brat has been rehashed in countless movies and novels, but nothing comes near Kipling's rendition.



Harvey Cheyene is a rich kid whose father is interested in his millions and mother who has a weak will and nerves. Harvey is a spoilt brat with no concerns for fellow men and is fully immersed in his way of life as a party animal, a la Paris Hilton. At the beginning of the story, Harvey is on a cruise, on one of his father's innumerable ships. The ocean liner is crossing the grand banks cutting through the thick of fog and Harvey's more concern is about the noise from the squawking fishing vessels near by. His disconnect with his surroundings is evident from his statement "You can hear the fish-boats squawking all around us. Wouldn't it be great if we ran one down!".
So the self centered Harvey is tricked in to smoking a oily Cigar and as he clears air on the deck, a grand wave washes him overboard. The next thing he remembers is waking up on a tone of fish with a broad back man on a blue jersey who introduces himself as Manuelo. Harvey is rescued by a schooner “We're Here of Gloucester” captained by Disko Troop. Troop's son Dan keeps vigil while Harvey sleeps of his fatigue. True to his spoilt nature, Harvey demands to be taken back to New York and tells them “what a rich boy he is” and the rich haul they can have from his father. Troop refuses to believe his yarn and offers him a job on the schooner in lieu of his keep. Thus Harvey begins his life as a fisherman, gutting the fish with others.
Kipling very gamely describes the back breaking work of a fishing trawler at sea for months. He through Harvey's lessons tells how fish is caught, gutted and stored for sale. Harvey along with Dan, Manuel, Penn, Long Jack, Old Salters, Tom Platt and Disko troop pitches, cuts and salts the fish and the millionaire boy has to get on with life. Soon he gets the hang of it and takes pride in his new life. Deep friendship is formed with Dan during their watches aboard the schooner and Harvey from a spoilt pale white boy turns to a clear eyed, strong level headed creature who respects even the smallest of boats.
When Mom and Dad catch up with him, they are surprised by the transformation and Harvey has a heart to heart talk with his Dad. Harvey leaves with a promise of getting Dan a place as mate in his shipping company and a promise to live life with respect. Respect is what Harvey learns aboard the humble schooner and the reader sees that in his parting words “Great ships these of my father's? Oh yes," But back in Gloucester are the able little vessels. The We're Here, she's one. I owe a heap to her-to her and her crew."
And we owe Kipling our gratitude for a swell tale of a boy who turns out to be the best of men.

The Light that Failed (published in 1890) - Written by Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling, a Nobel laureate was born in India to a vivacious Alice Kipling and sculptor Painter, John Kipling. His works range from poems, to children's books. Rudyard was a English language writer whose prose is peppered with colloquial usage and languages mainly from India which opens a window to the prevailing culture and customs of the time. His children's stories are the most endured classics of the time and his short stories are the most sought after. Many of his works are deemed to be controversial as the time progressed. Rudyard Kipling was the product of an imperial India where imperialism under Queen Victoria was at its heights. His poems like White Mans burden are often sited as a clarion call for the imperialist and has been criticized by subsequent humanists. But as an youngest Nobel Prize recipient for English Language, the place for Kipling in human history cannot be discounted and his prose and poems enthuse millions even today.
This novel was written when Rudyard returned to London after a successful stint in India with the Civil and Military Gazette. It is about a idealistic journalist and painter who looses his eyesight. The female protagonist Maisie is modeled on Florence Gerrard, his sister's fellow boarder for whom Kipling nursed a secret feeling.



Dick Heldar is a painter who is abused by his stepmother and goes wandering in the world taking all good and bad things in his stride. He has nursed a secret feeling for his childhood friend Maisie who is impenetrable as he is and maybe less talented. But she gives her whole and soul for her work. Dick meets Torpenshaw who is a special correspondent with a news syndicate. He is employed to cover the Sudan expedition for a pittance. He leaves anyway and survives the assignment with serious eye injuries.
Dick and Torpenshaw return to London and eke out a living by selling portraits. Dick soon realizes that his eye sight is soon fading and wants to draw an ultimate masterpiece. So he starts on “Melancholia” which is "the likeness of of a woman who had known all the sorrow in the world and was laughing at it”. He is also frustrated by his pursuit of Maisie who does not return his love.
Soon he starts his painting with Bessie, a waif whom Torpenshaw has befriended. But he drives Bessie to hysteria with his harsh ways to get the expressions right. Dick manages to finish his masterpiece in-spite of his bad eyes. He invites Maisie to view his masterpiece, but Bessie out of revenge blots out the painting. Maisie tries to keep the ruining a secret, but Bessie informs him anyway. A distraught Dick travels back to Sudan and insists on covering the war. Torpenshaw mounts him on a horse out of pity and he rides out only to be shot.
A melancholy novel which is very unlike Rudyard Kipling's upbeat style. But it shows his real life experiences in his school and foster parents in London. But Dick Heldar's motto in life to take triumph and disaster with equanimity reflects Kipling's philosophy too.