Harold Robbins' very first novel is also one of his most powerful. Never Love a Stranger tells the gritty and passionate tale of Francis "Frankie" Kane, from his meager beginnings as an orphan in New York's Hell's Kitchen. From that confused and belittling start, Frank works his way up, choosing the wrong side of the law to make a name for himself. At a young age, he becomes one of the city's most dangerous men, indulging in his passion for power, sex, and the best things in life-whether or not they can be purchased. First ...
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Harold Robbins' very first novel is also one of his most powerful. Never Love a Stranger tells the gritty and passionate tale of Francis "Frankie" Kane, from his meager beginnings as an orphan in New York's Hell's Kitchen. From that confused and belittling start, Frank works his way up, choosing the wrong side of the law to make a name for himself. At a young age, he becomes one of the city's most dangerous men, indulging in his passion for power, sex, and the best things in life-whether or not they can be purchased. First published in 1948, the novel began Robbins' prolific career after someone made him a $100 bet that he couldn't write a bestseller. Twenty-six pot-boiling novels later, he proved the power of his words. Never Love a Stranger takes an unflinching look at a New York that's long gone by-exposing life during and after the Great Depression, when the syndicate ruled the city without mercy.
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I read this book several years ago. I remember that I enjoyed it very much. A friend and I recently discussed books written by Harold Robbins, and I mentioned "Never Love A Stranger" to her. She had never read it. The copy that I owned was very yellow and a few pages are loose. Since the story was so good, I think that I would like to read it again one day, which is why I looked to Alibris to find a good copy of it for me. I will give my friend the old copy to read and dispose of when she is finished.
I know that this is not a typical "review," but wanted you to know that it is an excellent story.
Jonterman
May 24, 2007
Great story - not what you would expect from Harold Robbins. If you liked Stone for Danny Fisher, you will like this one. Highly recommended for anyone interested in WWII and pre WWII era fiction.
