Harold Robbins

Harold Robbins was one of the best-selling authors of the 20th century, known for writing commercially successful novels that combined elements of sex, glamour, power, and wealth. His works sold over 750 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 32 languages, making him one of the most widely read authors of his time. Beginning his career in 1948 with "Never Love a Stranger," Robbins went on to write more than 25 best-sellers including "The Carpetbaggers" (1961) and "The Betsy" (1971). His novels often drew from his observations of Hollywood and the business world, featuring raw depictions of sexuality and power dynamics that were controversial for their time. Many of Robbins' books were adapted into successful films and television series, adding to his cultural impact. His writing style, while criticized by literary critics, proved highly influential in shaping the commercial fiction market of the mid-to-late 20th century. Though he cultivated a larger-than-life persona, Robbins came from humble beginnings as Harold Rubin in New York City. He dropped out of high school at 15 and worked various jobs before finding success as an author, experiences that would later inform his rags-to-riches narratives.

Readers describe Harold Robbins' books as fast-paced entertainment with dramatic plots and explicit sex scenes. Many note his ability to blend real-world business dealings, crime, and romance into page-turning narratives. Readers appreciated: - Rich characters who rise from poverty to wealth - Behind-the-scenes details of industries like Hollywood and finance - Historical events woven into fictional stories - Direct, unvarnished writing style Common criticisms: - Gratuitous sex scenes that feel repetitive - Dated attitudes toward women and minorities - Formulaic plots following similar patterns - Simple, unpolished prose Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Most books average 3.7-3.9/5 stars Amazon: 4.0-4.3/5 stars for popular titles "The sex scenes are crude but the stories keep you reading" - Goodreads reviewer "Perfect airplane books - entertaining but forgettable" - Amazon reviewer "He creates characters you care about despite the pulpy writing" - LibraryThing review

A Stone for Danny Fisher (1952) A young man from a poor Jewish family in Depression-era New York becomes a professional boxer while struggling with organized crime and family obligations.

The Carpetbaggers (1961) Following the life of Jonas Cord Jr., this novel chronicles the rise of a business tycoon in early aviation and film industries during Hollywood's golden age.

Tycoon (1997) Set in the world of international business, this story follows Jack Lear as he builds a global communications empire while dealing with personal and professional betrayals.

Goodbye, Janette (1981) The tale of two sisters navigating the cut-throat world of European fashion, dealing with exploitation and survival in post-World War II Paris.

Jackie Collins Her novels share Robbins' focus on wealth, sex, and power in Hollywood society. Her writing features similar rags-to-riches narratives and behind-the-scenes glimpses of entertainment industry scandals.

Sidney Sheldon His books mirror Robbins' style of combining business intrigue with glamorous settings and sexual content. Sheldon's work includes similar themes of ambition, revenge, and wealth accumulation across international settings.

Judith Krantz She writes about the fashion and entertainment industries with detailed portrayals of wealth and success. Her novels contain similar elements of sexual content and power dynamics within high society.

Mario Puzo His works deal with power structures and family dynamics in organized crime and business. His writing style includes comparable elements of sex, violence, and detailed descriptions of how power operates in closed societies.

Arthur Hailey He writes detailed narratives about different industries and institutions with multiple character perspectives. His novels share Robbins' interest in showing the inner workings of business and power structures through interconnected storylines.