No amarás a un extraño

by Harold Robbins

Cuando se descubre que sus padres eran judíos, Francis Kane debe abandonar el orfanato católico que ha sido su único hogar. Lleno de furia y resentimiento, escapa a su destino en una familia judía y se promete triunfar sin que importe el precio. Atrás deja a Martin Cabell, un joven judío acomodado con el que ha trabado amistad. Y a Julia, su primer amor. Su futuro será forjado por un jefe mafioso deslumbrado con las hazañas callejeras de “Frankie”.
La vida de dinero fácil, violencia, peligro y sexo desbocado parece estar hecha para él, que sube a lo más alto de la escalera mafiosa. Pero el pasado vuelve para pedir su óbolo. Su amigo Martin se ha convertido en fiscal de distrito y la cabeza de “Frankie” tiene precio para la ley. Y Julia se ha transformado en la protegida y amante del “padrino” más temido de Nueva York.
Una historia dramática y trepidante de personajes emocionalmente vulnerables.


BIOGRAFÍA

Harold Robbins (1916-1997) decía haber experimentado todos los vicios que describe en sus libros. Decía también que era el mejor haciendo su trabajo, aunque se confesaba admirador de John Steinbeck, James T. Farrell o Irving Wallace. Su capacidad de inventiva le llevó incluso a construir un relato ficticio de su propia vida: aseguraba compartir identidad con Francis Kane, el protagonista de su primera obra, No amarás a un extraño (1948). La escribió para ganar una apuesta: trabajaba en las oficinas de Universal Studios en Nueva York (su ciudad natal) y quiso demostrar que era capaz de escribir una novela que superara las que pasaban por sus manos. Cincuenta años de carrera y 750 millones de ejemplares vendidos de sus más de 20 títulos le dieron la razón.
Sexo, drogas y poder son las tres palabras que componen su ADN y que le hicieron millonario. El éxito de sus historias llegó hasta la gran pantalla. Muchas de sus novelas han tenido versión cinematográfica, como Los insaciables, El precio del placer o Un guijarro para Danny Fisher (1952), su obra más valorada.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Drama, Crime, American, Mystery, Adult Fiction

527 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1948

About the author

Born as Harold Rubin in New York City, he later claimed to be a Jewish orphan who had been raised in a Catholic boys home. In reality he was the son of well-educated Russian and Polish immigrants. He was reared by his pharmacist father and stepmother in Brooklyn.

His first book, Never Love a Stranger (1948), caused controversy with its graphic sexuality. Publisher Pat Knopf reportedly bought Never Love a Stranger because "it was the first time he had ever read a book where on one page you'd have tears and on the next page you'd have a hard-on".

His 1952 novel, A Stone for Danny Fisher, was adapted into a 1958 motion picture King Creole, which starred Elvis Presley.

He would become arguably the world's bestselling author, publishing over 20 books which were translated into 32 languages and sold over 750 million copies. Among his best-known books is The Carpetbaggers, loosely based on the life of Howard Hughes, taking the reader from New York to California, from the prosperity of the aeronautical industry to the glamour of Hollywood.

Reviews

[Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first and only novel I've read by Harold Robbins is this one, which was his 1948 debut. Before I address the book, let me share some astounding numbers . They stunned me because, although I'd grown up hearing and seeing the name Harold Robbins all around, I had no idea just how popular an author he was. Get this:

In his writing career which plateaued in popularity from the mid 1950s through the late 1970s, over 750 million copies of Robbins' books were sold. As of 2008 (following the publication of the last Harry Potter novel), 400 million copies of JK Rowlings' books have been purchased. As of 2014, just over 300 million of the ubiquitous James Patterson books have been sold.

I find this incredible.

In any case, reading a Harold Robbins' book was something I wanted to do once and reviewing the descriptions of his books, this one sounded most like a novel I'd like. I'll have to say I found the story line interesting and the protagonist sympathetic (he was based on Robbins' childhood).

NEVER LOVE A STRANGER is the story set between 1925 and 1945 of Francis "Frankie" Cain, who was raised in a Hell's Kitchen Catholic orphanage until around 14 when he was taken in by the brother of his Jewish mother who died in childbirth. It is mostly the story of Frankie's journey from his high school days and friendships to his travels and loves after returning from a stint in the Navy and skips to after his rise to the head of a NYC gambling racket and his marriage.

I thoroughly enjoyed this robust story told mostly in the first person by Frankie, with interludes of a discussion by his 3 closest high school friends.

Will I read another Robbins' novel? No, because I satisfied my curiosity with a book that seemed to have justified the time spent, but I have too many worthy novels on my list of books I will or may read to allow another Robbins' potboiler.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever want to experience Harold Robbins the writer—and not...

https://sleaze-factor.blogspot.com/20...

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second time around . . .

I first read NEVER LOVE A STRANGER as a teenager about 40 years ago during what might be called my first "Harold Robbins phase," although I've re-read several of his books again during the intervening years, such as THE CARPETBAGGERS, 79 PARK AVENUE and WHERE LOVE HAS GONE.

This was Harold Robbins's first novel, published in 1948, and while there are no graphic descriptions sex, enough is implied that the reader gets the idea (unlike Robbins's later books, which contained far too much information!).

What was evident in this novel was Robbins's gift as a storyteller - concise, sometimes gritty prose, strong characterizations, and narrative drive - after a slow beginning, the story moves.

Robbins always maintained that NEVER LOVE A STRANGER was autobiographical, that, like his protagonist, Frankie Kane, he had been raised in a Catholic orphanage only to find out later that his origins were Jewish. It made for a good story, but, as was eventually discovered, it was, in fact, just a story. For some reason Robbins preferred it to the truth, which was that he was the son of well-educated Russian and Polish immigrants, raised in Brooklyn by his father (a pharmacist) and stepmother. What Robbins did have in common with Frankie was an innate and powerful drive to succeed, which matched the powerful narrative drive of his best novels.

4/14: NEVER LOVE A STRANGER takes place over two decades, beginning (after a short prologue in which, like Dickens's David Copperfield, the central character is born) in 1925 and ending after the close of World War Two. This book has a fine feeling for atmosphere and character - it was written, of course, back when Robbins put some thought and effort into both, before he became what's now known as a "Brand-Name Author." Robbins could accomplish quite a bit with a few concise, down-to-earth sentences; this is a gritty story, and his prose is suitably unadorned and unpretentious

Legend has it that NEVER LOVE A STRANGER was written as the result of a bet between Robbins and a co-worker at Universal, where Robbins was working as a reader - he supposedly tossed aside a book the studio had just paid a tidy sum for and said "I could write a better book than than!" The co-worker bet him $100 that he couldn't. NEVER LOVE A STRANGER was the result. The 'legend,' of course, was circulated by Harold Robbins, and who knows? It may actually be true. The book was published by Alfred A. Knopf, whose list featured many Pulitzer Prize-winners and highly-regarded 'literary' authors - Knopf took on the book at the recommendation of his son, who was impressed by its combination of raw sexuality and humanity. Alfred Knopf was never very proud of his association with Robbins or with another writer he had little respect for, Irving Wallace (he referred to them as 'hacks') and never regretted their departure from Knopf, despite the fortunes both subsequently earned for Simon & Schuster (Knopf was originally to publish THE CARPETBAGGERS, but was so disgusted by it that he let Robbins out of his contract, as I recall).

[Classic reverie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a debut book!!! I was not sure how this would be but I actually loved this story, it was a page turner for sure. Dad, (my FIL) is an avid 85 year old (maybe that is why his mind is so sharp) reader who reads paper books whereas I read on my Kindle, recommended this book and several others. It is funny to hear about the controversy in 1948 about the "graphic sexuality," which is nothing compared to some of today's novels. It kind of reminds me of "Forever Ambers" reception in 1944. They both had just enough of a description without going too far in that direction, which is enough for me, thank you. I am not a fan of the gritty details. Now to the heart of the matter, the story. Francis Kane (Cain), is an orphan at day one, life is not easy but he seems to know what is what and is old for his age, which people seem to pick up on. The years from 1912-the 1940's bring many trials and turns for this young man trying to find his way in the world. I was continually surprised in what direction the author was taking us the reader. There are 6 parts narrated by Frankie and interludes between that his friends and third person take over the story. I kept rooting for Frankie and hoping all would work out for him and that he would find what he needed in the end. This story made it to my favorite shelf and worthy of a read.

[W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once the bestselling author in the world,who sold hundreds of millions of books,Harold Robbins wrote some terrific books,and a great many worth throwing away.His first two,A Stone for Danny Fisher,and Never Love a Stranger are among his best,and very differnt from his later books.This one is very dark and intense.Set in depression era New York,this is the story of an orphan,and his survival in a cruel city.Poignant and moving.

[Zehra Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book back when i was in 8th grade i guess. My dad was cleaning his shelf and he handed me this remarkable piece of fiction. It's my all-time favorite book!!

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a while I really enjoyed this. Frank Cane's childhood and adolescence is depicted with a hard grittiness and a pretty authentic voice of the street on Robbins' part. Especially as a first novel (written to win a bet against his sceptical boss, no less) Robbins has done an impressive job here, and there are quite a few strong moments. Given it came out only three years after the Second World War, its exploration into racism and many other social issues sets it quite ahead of its time.

However, as the story wears on, you begin to get tired of the whole "meets woman, falls in love, has an amazing life of romance and sex, then becomes discontented and sabotages the relationship". This novel at its very worst is an overly melodramatic and trashy romance, which fails to be saved by Robbins' toughened approach and admittedly incisive flair for dissecting human affairs. All the shit with Ruth and Maryanne just pulled the book's enjoyability right down for me. It just wasn't my thing.

Still, at least he isn't as bad as that awful man, Harold Robinson.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this story on a very long road trip across the east coast and it kept my attention. The description of this story was not what I was expected from listening to the book. This story had a little coming of age feel to it. It starts off with Frank's life as young boy and it was interesting for a while but then the story started to drag on. There were many slow parts that didn't add any depth, it was just random parts in Frank's life that could have been omitted and people would have still got the picture. I did not like that the entire story was centered around Frank. There were many characters that went in and out of his life, no one really lasts, there needed to be some that stayed to help him be himself.

Frank, himself, was a little confusing. He wasn't a strong character for being the center of attention. His choices weren't constant, his thoughts were more regulated but his actions and convictions weren't consistent. Sometimes I thought I knew him and other times I wondered who this person was, lack of consistency was horrible. He had this draw on people, with everyone he met… but what exactly did these people see in him because I didn't see it. What was so great? What did he do? He didn't really do anything significant for people to immediately take to him. It was odd.

[Richard Palmer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok, now I can check 'pulp fiction' off on my list of genres. Don't need to try this again. What a mediocre book! I was expecting a bit of drama, grit, larger than life characters. Instead, it was a flat stream of one dimensional scenes without a sense of pacing, character development, or plot detail. When Frank went almost instantaneously and inexplicably from a homeless man on the street to a big time organized crime figure, I lost interest. I did stick with Will Patton's audio presentation to the end; he I appreciate. Too bad he did not have better material to read.

[Rita Behadini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, I love the characters and the story and everything about this book ☺️ If you need to read something special, you will make the right desicion with this book.

[Isidora Almuna Díaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

esta es la primera novela de Harold Robbins y se dice también, la mas poderosa. (estoy totalmente de acuerdo con eso).

Francis Kane, el cautivante protagonista...

debo decir que este personaje es un imán y un cliché sexual: frió, peligroso, con un pasado turbio, rebelde, con una reputación con las mujeres, poderoso, millonario, sexy, etc...
típico... pero de una forma muy especial.
me encanta.

este libro es totalmente atrapante. con un sabor distinto a las historias que en ese entonces se publicaban en el New York Times.
de hecho este libro comenzó como una apuesta, ademas de que Harold quería demostrar ser capaz de escribir un guion más interesante que los que se encontraban en ese momento en las mecas del cine.

*sigh*

en fin... ame tanto este libro que de hecho lo leí dos veces.
un gran best seller clásico que recomiendo leer y tener en físico ya que es una gran pieza de colección.

totalmente recomendado.

[Reena · Rating 4 out of 5]

u jus cant tel anythng wts in frank's mind...aftr reading d whole novel i stil dint undrstnd him...he sounds so mysterious... so simple at times...hard to predict...
njoyd d ups n down in his life..

[Miss Rini]

hehehhe... know not what to write about it.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earlier this month my husband and I listened to Harold Robbin's A Stone for Danny Fisher. a first Robbin's book for me, and was I impressed. For years my husband raved about this author and Danny Fisher was his favorite book. Our next selection was Robbin's debut novel, Never Love a Stranger (1948). This was an enjoyable listen (read by Will Patton) but, the story was not quite as good as Danny Fisher.

Set in the 1920's and 30s, Francis (Frankie) Kane was an orphan whose single mother died in childbirth. He grows up in a Catholic orphanage in New York. When it's discovered he has aunt and uncle they take Frankie in and are very kind to him. However, when health problems affect his uncle, they are forced to move to Arizona and are not allowed to take Frankie out of the state of New York, so back to the orphanage he goes -- until it is discovered that he is Jewish feels forced out, by then he is a teen.

Out on his own, confused and feeling rejected by the world at large, the young Frankie quickly toughens up and does what it takes to survive. On the streets he meets Silk Fennelli, the boss of all the numbers rackets and other shakedown scams around the city. Silk sees Frankie as an honest young man and someone who needs money. Silk begins to test him within his organization of crime.

Told mostly through first person flashbacks, it was easy to see how Frankie fell into the life of crime. He was a sympathetic character overall. As is true of most of Robbin's books: crime, beautiful women and to a lesser degree sex seem to be his signature trademarks, this one was no exception. This story was very detailed, which enables the reader to get a better feel for the characters. We enjoyed this story but felt it wasn't perfect, as some questions remained once we got to the end. I will admit that the ending Robbins chose brought a tear to my eyes. Next up for our Harold Robbin's audio will be: Memories of Another Day (1979).

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Harold Robbins’ Never Love a Stranger was published in 1948, it became a bestseller. Robbins hit upon a winning combination of elements to draw readers into his story, that he would go on to repeat multiple times in the future. “Power, sex, deceit, and wealth: the four main ingredients to a successful story,” he was quoted as saying. Of course, not all members of the public were pleased with Robbins racy use of sex in his first novel, and Never Love a Stranger was banned under pornography restrictions in the city of Philadelphia. Robbins and his publisher sued the city and won. In his decision, the judge proclaimed, “I would rather my daughter learn about sex from the pages of a Harold Robbins novel than behind a barn door.”

For me, Never Love a Stranger gets filed under the category of “guilty pleasure.” The plot follows the life of Frankie Kane, a street-wise orphan who scraps his way to the top of a criminal empire during the Great Depression. I listened to the story on audiobook as narrated by the incomparable Will Patton, who lifts this glorious piece of tripe to a place wholly beyond its station. Patton has obvious fun with the novel’s terse, Cagneyesque main character, and the reader can’t help but enjoy it, too. If you are bothered by strong and obvious 1930s gender stereotypes and scenes of violence in the tone of “smacking a moll for getting wise,” steer clear of this novel. Otherwise, you are in for some dialogue that will have you chuckling in your recliner. I knew that I had reached a new level of noir ecstasy, when at the end, the book provided this nugget of sap: [note: virtually nothing is lost in reading it, as plot always comes secondary to tone]

She looked at me. Her face had grown very pale. “Loved you?” she asked. “I’ve loved you so much ever since we were children that at night I couldn’t sleep for the wanting of you, that when we didn’t know where you were I would dream about you, that all these last months I was longing for you to take me -- I wanted your child inside me under my heart.” Her voice was strained and shaking with emotion. “That’s why I won’t bargain with you, Frankie. That’s why I’m not going to marry you.”
I crushed my cigarette out in the tray and took her by the shoulders roughly, squeezing my fingers into her arm. She made no sound, just looked up into my face.
“You stupid little fool!” I was raging mad. I could feel the pulse pounding in my forehead. “Maybe that’s the way it started, but can’t you see what I’ve done is for you -- that what I’ve thrown away has been for you? Don’t think I couldn’t have cleaned up this mess if I didn’t want to. I had a dozen places in the United States I could have gone to and operated from, and they never would have been able to touch me. I didn’t have to quit. I quit because of you. If it weren’t for the way I felt about you, I would have beat this the same way I beat everything else that got in my way; I’d have ruined Jerry’s career as I could have.
“You were the only reason I threw in the towel -- because I fell for the line you gave me. Maybe I always knew deep inside you were right, but it was for you that I did it.
“I didn’t make any bargain with you. I’ve turned my life inside out for you. I’ve traded a fortune for you, I’ve traded a loaf of bread for a pie in the sky, steak and potatoes for an ideal. And if you still think I don’t love you, baby, you can go to hell!”

I was fully prepared to give the story three stars, but felt this exchange was worth an additional star. I you dare read this, I highly recommend the audiobook.

[Neyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first Harold Robbin’s book that I have read was The Adventurers. It has very interesting plots and defined characters in this novel and it was like watching a movie or a TV series. But it is Robbin’s first novel Never Love a Stranger that I read later that ranked higher in my list. Maybe because I find the courageous and passionate story of the protagonist Francis “Frankie” Kane more interesting than Diogenes Alejandro Xenos (or Dax), the tragic revolutionary hero of The Adventurers. A few things stood out for me in Never Love a Stranger. One is the way Frank works his way up, from his meager beginnings as a Jewish orphan, choosing the wrong side of the law to make a name for himself. He has this innate and powerful drive to succeed, in spite of the harsh realities in his world, racism, and living in the fast lane in the New York’s gangland. The difficulty of fitting in with antagonistic world and the corresponding price to you make the grade is the sense you get after reading this book.

[Crime Addict Sifat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never Love a Stranger tells the dirty and enthusiastic story of Francis "Frankie" Kane, from his pitiful beginnings as a vagrant in New York's Hell's Kitchen. From that befuddled and putting down begin, Frank works his way up, picking the wrong side of the law to become well known. At a youthful age, he ends up plainly one of the city's most perilous men, enjoying his enthusiasm for power, sex, and the best things in life-regardless of whether they can be obtained. In the first place distributed in 1948, the novel started Robbins' productive vocation after somebody made him a $100 wager that he couldn't compose a smash hit. Twenty-six pot-bubbling books later, he demonstrated the energy of his words. Never Love a Stranger investigates a New York that is a distant memory by-uncovering life amid and after the Great Depression, when the syndicate administered the city without benevolence.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that if you like one Robbins' book, you'll like them all. I've read most of them during the high school, and I enjoyed them very much. Maybe because his characters were always so defined; and he had interesting plots. He kept you awake and turning pages. I loved his male characters, always a strong persona, who have had difficult and scary upbringing, but they still end up being good people.

[Obidiwhite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm rereading this well loved book after so many years. I read it the first time as a paperback novel. It shames me to admit that I forgot the right combination of words that make the title of the book , after I gave it to a friend(who never returned it ).here whatever you know how to do is your best shot at fame and fortune.

[Vinod · Rating 4 out of 5]

basically i am not found of reading books, one day i was at home very much frustrated and bored. while i am searching for something i found this book and kept a side. after a while i just opened the book just read few pages its 2 years back, from then till now i read around 15 times i just involved in it thanks robbin for the great book

[Vivian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Francis was born an orphan. In the 1920's, all orphans had were the sheets and streets. A place to lay their heads and the rest they made up. He did what he could to survive. As a kid, he was a well known hustler. He was sure of himself. Over-confident even. There was something about Frankie that was different and attracted people. But there was also something in him that made you feel unsteady.

[Veronica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked it at the beginning but then it became repetitive and obsessively centered on the main character, plus very banal in some passages and superficial (I'm referring to the love-stories) so in the end I just finished it to see if it improved but it was very disappointing!

[Poison Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not my first Harold Robbins book and undoubtedly not my last..
Francis ''Frankie'' Kane is such a strong character,so mysterious yet so simple at times and you found yourself always wondering what's in his mind,what will be his next move..I couldn't put this book down,I was hooked :-D

[MEG Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review was done on my other Kindle on 12/20/15.

GREAT STORY!
I have to type enough words to me to be able to send this out to let you know that I have already placed a review from my second Kindle.
Thank you

[Wiganfootie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Fav book !!love it!!

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in middle school. My dad recommended it. I did not put this book down, I was hooked. It takes place in the 30s, 40s era in New York. It's a great book.

[Tsering · Rating 5 out of 5]

the first book that i finished reading whole and still looking for the same book. To have it again.

[Rahman · Rating 5 out of 5]

best book 4 me

[Alesha Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember sneaking this book from my mom's shelf when I was very young...definitely too young to read it. I loved it though - read it multiple times.

[Viktoriya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took my breath away. Loved it.