The Pirate

by Harold Robbins

Unaware of his true heritage, a man who was raised by a wealthy Arab family learns that power and fortune are not the only reasons for living

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Adventure, Novels, Thriller, Historical Fiction, Literature

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

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

[Vintage · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this as a kid. Yep, as a kid which was a very, very, very big mistake. My mother used to write "Not for Kelly" in books that she thought were inappropriate so you can imagine what my best friend and I did: rifled through every one of my mother's books.

I truly do not understand my mother's reasoning in this as it was a magnificent parenting fail, but at least she got to say how "disappointed" she was when she found out.

Anyhoo, there is a plot in there somewhere as well as Robbins' glib writing. Unfortunately, also jarring and scarring sex scenes with coke and whatever else was exciting and scandalous in the 1970s. Not technically a bodice ripper as it's contemporary to the time it was written, but flawed characters abound, bad parenting as well as a lot og sexual gymnastics. All hallmarks of Harold Robbins and Sydney Sheldon.

Although it'd been a long time since I've read it (not to be read again) it's one of those reads that made a big impact and not in a good way, and may or may not have had an impact on my thoughts of chastity as a teenager.

[W · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pirate is a very good example of the storytelling skills of Harold Robbins.Now,if only he had written more books like this ! But what he started writing later,was trashy stuff worth throwing away.

Badyr Al Fay is born in a desert sandstorm to a Jewish mother,but he ends up in the home of a wealthy Arab and is raised as one.That is a very interesting premise,given the non-stop history of conflict between the Arabs and Israelis.

Robbins describes the decadent lifestyle of the Middle Eastern Sheikhs very well.On the one hand,they preach religious orthodoxy,on the other hand,a different set of rules applies to their own hedonistic lifestyles,thanks to the unlimited petrodollars.

This was written in the 1970s.It is a terrific read with the volatile politics and conflict of the Middle East as the backdrop.

[Cathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robbins was a total genius. I remember thinking this when I first read "A Stone for Danny Fisher" when I was a teenager. Now all these years later, reading a book originally published in the 70's, here I am again. "Fifty Shades of Gray"...are you kidding me? Robbins could write better sex scenes even back in that day with his hands tied behind his back. (Sorry, couldn't resist.) And somehow mix in spirituality too. It's almost sad to admit, I got more out of this 1970's dime store novel than I did "Fifty Shades of Gray" and "The Purpose Driven Life" together.

If I was still of child bearing age, I might have to name my kid Ezra. That's how good this book is.

Now for a famous Robbins quote (ok, so I'm choosing to ignore the one where he's pompous): “People make their own choices every day about what they are willing to do. We don’t have the right to judge them or label them. At least walk in their shoes before you do.”

And isn't that what's it all about, readers? The ability for a short and measured time to be able to walk safely in someone else's shoes?

Robbins may be gone, but his books are still making us cry, think and feel.

[Kamakana · Rating 2 out of 5]

030219 from ??? childhood: these Robbins are book-like objects, that i definitely read before 17 (nine or ten?), but how often since? and ever like as a book rather than certain scenes? who knows. another book in mom's shelves. i remember much more clearly scenes of very big parts springing out ready for action... yes this helped foster an idea of sex that never helped me much irl, and if it had a plot i cannot remember it...

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty sure this is when I realized I might be gay. Read the book, you'll figure out the scene. There was this and page 28 of The Godfather.

[Arun Divakar · Rating 2 out of 5]

The money + The Power + The soap-operatic melodrama + 2 * The Sex = Harold Robbins !

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy and quick read.

[Liudmyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
Цю книгу я вперше читала років із 25 тому і, пам'ятаю, що вона мене страшенно вразила сплетінням доль героїв на фоні перманентних арабо-ізраїльських конфліктів. Тому вирішила її перечитати.

В центрі сюжету молодий арабський аристократ з невеликої країни на Близькому Сході, що межує з Іраном, Сирією, Саудівською Аравією та Йорданією. Побіжний погляд на карту дає можливість впевнитися, що ця країна цілком собі вигадана. Так от, цього молодого араба, який взагалі-то зовсім не араб (таємниця його появи на світ розкривається у пролозі) шейх відправляє вчитися до західного світу, щоб він опанував фінансову науку та поміж західними акулами бізнесу почувався своїм і був здатним вести інвестиційний бізнес на рівні з ними. Хлопець справно вчиться і досягає неймовірних висот у бізнесі, стає одним із найбагатших людей світу.
А далі все закручується шаленим круговоротом - два одруження, діти, син - майбутній спадкоємець шейха, розвиток бізнесу, спроби арабської революційної організації залучити його до боротьби проти Ізраїлю. А крім цього, секс, наркотики і рок-н-рол.

Трішки шокована відвертими, іноді брутальними сценами сексу, які я навіть назвала б порнографічними. Їх досить багато в книзі, така собі данина сексуальній революції, що прокотилася світом у 1960х. Чомусь наявність таких епізодів не запам'яталася з часу першого прочитання, мабуть, в юності мене це не вражало 😄

Автор, між іншим, входить до переліку найбільш продаваних нон-фік авторів евер (25 бестселерів, 750 млн книг 32 мовами), обігнав навіть Дж. Роулінг і Кінга, був досить крутим свого часу в літературних колах, задавав моду в американській літературі 1950-1970х років. Казали, що він був частиною сексуальної та соціальної революцій на рівні з протизаплідними пігулками, журналом Плейбой та канабісом.

Читається легко, але варто зважати, що книга побачила світ 1974 р, тож тут достатньо мізогінії, расизму, нетолерантності, зловживання забороненими речовинами і т.п. штук, які зараз не прийнято писати в книжках

[Brankica Eftimova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it a while ago and at the time I was very impressed with it. I have to say that it is very sexually explicit.I remember the passion for Jordana that kinda faded away and I remember the intensity i could feel while reading it.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

sexy fun

[Ivan Vitas · Rating 4 out of 5]

ovo je pornjava.

[Cocaine · Rating 1 out of 5]

These novels, in their day, were the thing to read. I now see why I never bothered at the time. A best selling author maybe but one who has no appeal to me at all.

[Aaron Cheruiyot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Came back for more Harold Robbins after reading The Lonely Lady some years back (highly recommend). I loved how well this book has aged. Published in ‘74, events like the Palestine-Israel conflict, misogyny, elitism, Arab/Jew conflict and the struggle for power among others have kept this book alive throughout the years. Reminded me of Dune in the sense that plans within plans are conceived. Family members are no angels in this one either.

Overall good read. Some story arcs were predictable but I won’t go into those as they hardly take away from the main plot.

[Annabelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

No, we definitely weren't taught sex-ed at my nun-run high school, but Harold Robbins' The Pirate and The Betsy, housed at my mom's basement library, took care of that. And I'm pretty sure these books did wonders for my vocabulary just as much as the piles of Reader's Digests I mined and digested from that basement.

The Pirate's plot is centered on an Israeli man who, as a newborn, ends up with a powerful Middle Eastern man, who raises him as his own son. The reader is made aware of this early on, adding irony upon irony as the protagonist, who is ignorant of his true parentage, finds himself a major player in Middle Eastern politics and big business. This was the book which first clued me in on the Arab-Israeli tension and conflict. Having enriched my vocabulary and knowledge of history at thirteen, this has proved to be a very educational book for me. But it bears rereading, and this time, not just for the sex scenes.*

* This has also got to be the most sexually explicit Robbins novel out there (The Betsy is a close second).

[Laurie Stoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

The amazing thing about this story is it's contents and the location where I read it. This year I have been concentrating on reading paperback books that I have had for years. I have always believed that everything happens for a reason.

The Pirate takes place all over the world but much of the "history" in this story takes place in the Middle East. I have currently been living in the Middle East for two years now. After reading The Pirate I feel I have a better understanding of history I was too young to remember as well as an insight to the Islamic people.

[Laudys · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book on campus and like so, I felt compelled to finish it even though I didn't really enjoy it.

I found the beginning more interesting than the rest of the book. Two babies switched at birth. So many ways it could have gone from there, instead of what the author did.

Too crude for me.

[Enock Ulle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is good old porn with a carefully told story of a Middle East family and its ties to wealth and politics. If Mr. Robbins is known for his graphic depiction of sex here he went one or several steps further to include just about every flavor of it. Read it at your own risk.

[Juan Pablo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it a while ago, i think i may have to read it again to put something useful here.

[Kathy Kaylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one starts out good and then twists it way to better.

[bluetyson]

isbn,original

[Michelle Ciubotaru · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hectic but a lot of hectic things going around... but i really like it...

[Shannon Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not dated at all and a lot of the politics mentioned in this novel still exist today.

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved me some Robbins back in the day.
:O)

[Brad Iles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad read for a 20 cent book. Gives some insight into the politics of the oil business in the Middle East in 1973 and the luxury afforded to a lucky few.

[Joakim Löfberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it in German. I loved it! Excitement and lots of steaming sex scenes too. Ultimately the book's got an important message: the importance of striving towards peaceful human co-existence!

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy entretenida, la leí en 1 día.

[Numan Shah]

This book is a perfect combination of Power, Sex, Vengeance, and Wealth and the plot is solid indeed. You don't have to wait for something to happen while you are in the story.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the world's luxurious, decadent playgrounds to the intrigues of international finance, giving interesting insight into the politics of the oil business in the Middle East

[Nivedita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Graphic sexuality as usual. Main character is Middle Eastern (a jew's son brought up as an Arab Prince.

[Iva Pivkova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! A book that grabbed my attention from the beginning. It includes all of the elements of a great story!