The Stud. Jackie Collins

Fontaine Khaled #1

by Jackie Collins

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Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Novels, Contemporary, Ebooks, Banned Books

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1969

About the author

There have been many imitators, but only Jackie Collins can tell you what really goes on in the fastest lane of all. From Beverly Hills bedrooms to a raunchy prowl along the streets of Hollywood; from glittering rock parties and concerts to stretch limos and the mansions of power brokers-Jackie Collins chronicles the real truth from the inside looking out.

Jackie Collins has been called a "raunchy moralist" by the late director Louis Malle and "Hollywood's own Marcel Proust" by Vanity Fair magazine. With over 500 million copies of her books sold in more than forty countries, and with some 30 New York Times bestsellers to her credit, Jackie Collins is one of the world's top-selling novelists. She is known for giving her readers an unrivalled insider's knowledge of Hollywood and the glamorous lives and loves of the rich, famous, and infamous. "I write about real people in disguise," she says. "If anything, my characters are toned down-the truth is much more bizarre."

Jackie Collins died of breast cancer Saturday, September 19, 2015. Jackie Collins, who had kept her illness secret, said recently that she believed in an afterlife, that she had no regrets and that she had emulated Frank Sinatra in that “I did it my way.”

Visit Jackie's website: www.jackiecollins.com
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/JackieJCollins
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/jackiecollins and Pinterest:
www.pinterest.com/jackiejcollins

Reviews

[Treece · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Stud by Jackie Collins

Rating: 3 ½ stars

First things first, I got this book free from Amazon. Second, Jackie Collins has been deceased for only two years. Her sister, Dame Joan Collins, is more than an honorable mention and a legend. So the least that I could do is write a full-bodied review, pouring it straight from the lead crystal decanter of my opinion. Here goes.

Now, on to the good stuff-

In the era of pop culture television shows like Dallas , Dynasty , Knots Landing , and Falcon Crest prevailed. Plus there were a slew of novelists –with spin-off made-for-television and movie films—such as Sidney Sheldon (writer-producer mogul), Danielle Steele, V.C. Andrews, Maeve Binchy, Diana Palmer and Fern Michaels. You get the picture. Jackie Collins is part of this esteemed group but even then, she was in a class of her own making. As prolific as she was stylish, Jackie C was the reigning queen of literary smut in her heyday.

The Stud kicks off in late swinging 1960’s London. At the heart of the narrative is ambitious, hormone and ego-driven (if a little idealistic at times) Tony Blake who becomes the sexual play-thing and employee of Fontaine Khaled, a retired model and the wife of mega millionaire Benjamin Khaled. Tony helps Fontaine open a disco called Hobo’s which becomes The Spot where all the celebs, perverts, predators, fakes, freaks and hipsters frequent. Everything turns sour as Tony’s interest in debauched Fontaine wanes, while her contempt for him grows as he fails to keep her amused. Following a chance meeting at Hobo, Tony decides he’s in love with Fontaine’s stepdaughter, Alexandra, who later uses him—unbeknownst to Tony—to make her childhood crush jealous.

Tony: He’s intelligent, sexy, and at heart a romantic. Sadly, he gets caught up in a popularity contest, the hedonism, in over his head with a text-book sociopath, and the desire to rise above his lower-middle class background. This makes him ripe for Fontaine’s vicious self-indulgence. I wanted Tony to find success, love and happiness. He was full of himself at times but no more than any other good-looking, horny young man his age. What I liked most about him is that no matter how much he strayed from his upbringing, he had some morals and a sense of right and wrong. Unlike the avaricious and narcissistic Fontaine.


Fontaine: This greedy, amoral disgusting woman is the antagonist that you love to hate. She is The Devil to Tony’s Faust and boy, does she play things to the hilt. Some would say she is a man trapped in a woman’s body. No maternal instinct. No boundaries. No sentiment. Her appetite for sex, power and money, along with her ruthless focus on what she wants, are not identified with anything that makes a lady a woman. I am interested in reading the sequel, The Bitch just to see what happens to this vile and fascinating creature. Do I want her to get her comeuppance? Yep. And then… Not really. What makes a good antagonist is just how much hell they can raise. I’m just glad that Tony made it out of her web—eventually. There are few that can outwit this woman. Still, it is a change to see a woman playing the games men play with women, and winning at besting them.



Alexandra: She’s just seventeen years old which is why I can excuse her stupidity and a great deal of the foolishness. At times, I could see her potential. For Tony, she represents innocence lost, except this is all illusion. This chickadee knows her own mind and has spunk and a bit of intelligence. Alexandra is a spoiled little rich bitch, plain and simple.



I got a kick out of reading about this era and the Brit slang/language, descriptions and people were fascinating. There are some really taboo subjects and offensive dialogue so be warned! This book was written in a time where the term “politically correct” did not exist. Collins takes you back to a period where anything goes--transsexuals were in the mix and pedophiles were uncomfortably common.

It would be ab-fab to see the films. Joan Collins (Jackie’s sister) stars in the movie version of The Stud. For those who remember, Joan was the infamous Alexis Carrington from the 80’s hit series Dynasty and became an icon. Although Fontaine is described as a blonde, I could see Joan Collins bringing this voracious vixen to life on the screen! For the current times, Kate Winslet or Tilda Swinton would make an amazing Fontaine, though Tilda fits the model arch type more. Zac Efron would make a delish Tony Blake, right?

Whatever your take on things, Ms. Collins does a superb job of capturing the voice of each character authentically, recreating a time a place that most of us can only fantasize about, while leading you into a story that spins a contemporary Faustian tale of corruption and redemption.

[Carolyn M L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may not have enjoyed this particular book as much as I would normally love a Jackie Collins, but it's getting 5 stars regardless, as JC doesn't deserve anything less.

[Oliver Clarke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Surprisingly boring tale of sexy goings on surrounding a nightclub on swinging 60s London. The narration duties are shared by three equally unconvincing characters and I found the whole thing really didn’t engage me at all.

[Amy Caroline · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this as part of a reading challenge and this fulfilled the category of "bottom of the to read pile" as I got it free with a magazine. I had never read a Jackie Collins before and now I can say I'm not going to again. I appreciate this was written in the 60s so was probably considered "racy" at the time but to a modern reader, it really isn't. The sexiest scene is just two people looking at each other and waking up together the next morning. Told from the point of view of several characters this should have kept my interest but none of them were very excited and had very few redeeming characteristics

[Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

really liked it, hence the four stars. a very quick read told from the viewpoint of three different people. nicely done, if a bit trivial story. some sex and drugs as expected, but nothing very graphic. especially liked "the stud" himself, i could so well understand his feelings and at the same time - all he is is such a big prick. but that's some men's perception of the world for you (or so i guess, i'm not a man myself).
finally a pretty good book that came with a women's mag.

[Douglas Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought for February Romance month I’d read a smutty romance, and this one is thoroughly enjoyable and campy nonsense.
Drop dead gorgeous Tony Blake, with “a face that is an invitation to bed,” works his way up from busboy to the manager of the hottest club, discotech, if you will, in London- Hobo. (That’s a stupid name for a hot club, right?!) The club’s owner’s wife, Fontaine, soon sets her sights on the sexy Tony, and the two begin an affair. But once Tony meet’s his boss’ step-daughter, Alex, he wants to quit his bed hopping and settle down with the young virgin.
It’s all very tawdry and trashy and if you can deal with the misogyny, antiquated ideas, and an homophobic outburst, this is the sleazy read for you.
3 out of 5 stars.

[Chels]

"Awful, evil...disgusting" says Barbara Cartland.

This must have hit different for an octogenarian obsessed with virginity in the late 80s. Is it salacious to the modern reader, a human who is not Barbara Cartland? No. But I can smell this book.

[scottiesandbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

First thing you’ve got to remember is that this book was published in 1969. That makes it 51 years old. It’s from a different time and a different era where it was perfectly acceptable to do and say certain things. But does it stand the test of time? No it does not! Did I still enjoy it? Of course I did it’s the late great Jackie fricking Collins!

Jackie’s books always transport you to a different time, a different place. The high flying background of Hollywood that us mere mortals will never understand. Scandalous, raunchy, rude and unbelievably perverted, it always leaves me feeling like I’ve learned some celebrities dirty little secrets, things they wouldn’t want you to know.

The reason it doesn’t stand the test of time is this: using rape in a “normalised” way to explain how a guy tried to get a gal and have the gal saying “he was perfectly lovely when he couldn’t rape me” is NOT ok. Writing books about sexcapades from a TEENAGER’S POV is so uncomfortable. And also referring to a trans woman as “he” makes me so bloody angry. BUT this book is written from Collins’ own experiences and the celebrities she has met. You’re meant to think of these people as sexist pigs, whores, paedophiles, racists and homophobes. They aren’t meant to be LIKED! Sometimes an uncomfortable read is an effective read!

Here’s where it falls short for me; there wasn’t a single character I loved. I could have punched each and every one of them in the face repeatedly. The “stud” who is nothing but a shit who thinks he owns a girl because she is nice to him, that same naive little princess who can’t even defend herself and Fontaine “the bitch” who slept her way into money and uses it to control everyone. In Jackie Collins books there is usually a character such as Lucky Santangelo. The character that is empowering, feminist, badass and who does things her own way and not how Hollywood wants it to go. It missed that for me which is why it was a miss.

That being said... will I read more in the Fontaine series? You bet your sweet ass I will!

[Raimondo Lagioia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got chick lit as one of the genres in a bingo challenge this year, and at a friend's suggestion I read this one. As expected, it's a frilly, gossipy novel where the rich, beautiful, and very much married sleep around with whoever catches their fancy, conventional morality be damned. I know it's supposed to seem glamorous and exciting, but the empty, dreary, and - dare I say it? - tedious hedonism of it all does not exactly commend itself as something to aspire for. This is made especially obvious in the latter parts where our gormless hero's free fall commences. Fontaine gets her unexpected comeuppance too, but cool cats like her know how to land on their feet so nobody's the slightest bit worried.

It is somewhat entertaining though, and even if it wasn't my cup of tea I did not have much trouble finishing it. What makes it hilarious are the blind spots these preening people pride themselves on. This comes as no surprise since our leads tend to overestimate their advantages. Tony fancies himself a sex god but to experienced Fontaine his technique and taste in women are uninspired at best. The latter loves dancing and showing off her baubles while doing so, but her rhythmless jangling only serves to lessen her allure. Yes, the arch snideness and cattiness here are off the charts. I guess that's par for the course for high society chick lit? But man does it get exhausting.

It is interesting to see what a certain class of women think when they don't have to worry about a man's pride and they can just let it all out. They come across as especially formidable when they have a fine nose for sniffing out a man's most debilitating insecurities, and possess the means to exploit these too. Where have I heard it said that whereas a woman fears physical pain the most, nothing daunts a man more than the prospect of humiliation? I must admit that it makes these viragoes all the more compelling, which is why even if Tony is the designated lead as evidenced by his screentime and the very title of the book, the real star of the show is undeniably Fontaine.

I don't think I'd reach for the sequel if I didn't have the omnibus, but since I do I guess I'll just proceed with it. Can't waste all that good paper, right?

5.5/10; 3 stars.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

London, 1969, the hottest, hippest domain of hedonists and pleasure-seekers, where swingers swarm the clubs and discos in a quest to live for the moment. At the centre of this scene, Tony Blake plays the angles, never missing a chance to score with the beautiful women who desire him — and walks the line between ecstasy and overload. I’ve known about this book for years (certainly since the film came out) but never thought to read it until now and (since it’s as old as I am) it does feel more than a little dated, though I can imagine it was raunchy for the time. And it’s a real product of its time - Tony and his friends shag anything that moves (including, strangely, girls who are clearly underage) and whilst several female characters more than hold their own - Fontaine Khaled especially, but also Alexandra, her step-daughter - women don’t tend to come out of it well. Told from three viewpoints - Tony, the stud of the title and the two Khaled ladies - this charts their downwards spiral as the book progresses before each of them, in their own way, comes up trumps in the end. Likeable (unlike most of the characters), amusing and occasionally raunchy, this is worth a read.

[Heidi]

I mean, it is what it is. And I don't care for it.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The level of hedonistic depavity is unparrelled in this raunchy book of sexual misadventures.

Exactly what one expects from this particular author. As someone who has enjoyed many of her written efforts can say that Jackie Collins will be missed but her body of work will entertain new readers for many years to come.

[Jeri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite by far. You have to remember this book was written in the late 60's and so back then this was a book full of freaky sex. Those things are common now.
The story itself just wasn't any good for me. Too much that just didn't seem to work for the book. It's told in the perspective of 3 people & if would get happy to read Fontaine's chapters just because she was the only character who seem truly right for the story. It could've done without Alexandra's storyline. (I liked Alexandra as a character, just not for this book.)
It took me 5 days to read and my copy is only 158 pages. The only way I finished it was by reminding myself that if I got this book done, I could read something else.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was quite disappointed by this novel, having recently finished Chances by Collins and ranking it very highly. I felt this novel would have worked better as a more fleshed out and developed book where we see Tony drag his way through the ranks to become a club owner, really understanding his drive and his emotions. Feeling his ambition, lust, love or heartbreak.

The narrators were different but because they often recapped the same events I just grew bored. And while these voices were different from each other they were very formalized and stereotypical, barely developing throughout.

[Helena Tkalez · Rating 1 out of 5]

With a range of characters from the mildly unpleasant to utterly repellent, The Stud is a novel completely reflective of it's time and social origins. It's fun to read in places and you get a really strong sense of the London Sixties scene, but with endless references to underage girls it makes for pretty grim reading with a post-Saville mindset. Yuk.

[Sharyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ya gotta love a bit of fluff like this

[Justine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was going very well and the story was building nicely, then all of a sudden it was over. Felt very rushed at the end and left me feeling unsatisfied.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

È stato uno spasso:

Tony, lo stallone del titolo, è un babbeo, diciamocelo. Pensa davvero di essere potente e famoso in quanto manager della discoteca Hobo, dove vanno tutti i VIP inglesi e del mondo. Questa convinzione gli dà alla testa al punto che si crede innamorato di una ragazza di buona famiglia che ha altre mire, e pensa di poter aprire un altro locale come Hobo perché crede che il suo successo sia merito suo.

Fontaine, ex modella e moglie di un miliardario col doppio dei suoi anni, è l'ideatrice, la finanziatrice e la promoter numero uno di Hobo. Si gode la vita con amanti spesso più giovani, talvolta mariti di amiche, tutto con una freddezza e una chiarezza di quali siano i suoi valori che la rende un vero spasso.
È lei che prende Tony e prova a insegnargli come usare ciò che la natura gli ha dato nel migliore dei modi (ma lei stessa si rende conto che lui non sia propriamente un buon studente).
L'ho adorata, nonostante il razzismo da donna bianca ricca.

Alexandra è probabilmente il personaggio in cui dovrebbe immedesimarsi chi legge, e infatti è un po' una sempliciotta, ma fa una serie di stupidaggini che la rendono un punto di vista divertente.
È la figliastra di Fontaine, ha appena lasciato il collegio svizzero in cui ha passato gli ultimi anni, è molto ingenua e convinta di dover fare la segretaria finché non ha accesso al fondo fiduciario che le ha predisposto il padre. Il suo obiettivo principale è farsi considerare una donna dalla sua cotta di sempre, il fratello della sua migliore amica. Così finisce in un sacco di casini e malintesi che coinvolgono anche Tony, convinto di essere innamorato di lei e che malinterpreta tutti i comportamenti di Alex.

Ovviamente Tony dovrà ricredersi su tutto ciò che crede (il finale suggerisce però che il cerchio si chiuda per ripetersi altrove), mentre Fontaine e Alexandra sembrano ottenere una vittoria alla fine della storia.
Considerando che c'è un romanzo su Fontaine, non vedo l'ora di scoprire come se la passa dopo le vicende di questo 👀

Prima esperienza con Jackie Collins, con un romanzo che conoscevo perché Barbara Cartland ha trovato scioccante e volgare, ma sinceramente per la sensibilità moderna l'effetto è diverso.
Sì, c'è tanto sesso, anche un foursome, ma niente di descrittivo, e pullulano i tradimenti e i personaggi che sono poco raccomandabili (oserei dire che non c'è una persona decente, nemmeno Alex lo è, imho).
Sembra quasi di leggere la versione scritta di una telenovela ambientata nell'alta società: grande intrattenimento, tanti personaggi, ritmo veloce... spassoso!

[Goth Gone Grey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like breaking into Grandma's dirty books when you were a kid

I try to read classic literature here and there to balance out the vast quantity of books with half naked guys on the cover. A classic Jackie Collins with a half naked guy on the cover? Sure, why not.

This was written in the '60's and set primarily in England, so the slang - birds, bread, knocking, berk, and more - is not even on my Kindle dictionary. Kink is making it with multiple partners, sometimes together, sometimes just what we now refer to as an open relationship or cheating. By current erotica terms, it seems somewhat quaint, like finding a porno from the '70's and being amazed that so much hair could be on one body.

The characters are mainly awful people, self-absorbed and greedy for whatever delights them. Sex, fashion, fur coats, and more. (Yes, fur coats, in a number of styles. Vintage indeed).

Patting women on the bottom and patronizing them is normal for the time. Lines like "Birds were always saying no when they meant yes" show some of the beliefs of the era, and leave me slightly queasy.

While I still may read more from this author, I'd probably go for more modern work. For the time frame it was written, this is suitable, potentially scandalous, but not my thing.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well after being in a reading slum since May I must say this is the last book I expected to get me out of it.

Very interesting and exciting... Bit dull at some points and the ending felt a bit rushed but I did enjoy it quite a bit.

[Dorel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I read by Jackie Collins. I'm sorry I stopped reading this story at chapter 8 because I didn't get the point of this story.

[Susan Davidson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was not expecting much of this book, but oh my all I can say is I'm glad it is off the book shelves

[Lauren Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

The most pointless book I’ve ever read. Zero storyline and every character was detestable. Yuck.

[Tamera · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Wowee Tony- you’re such a stud!”

This book rocked the late 60’s like nothing the era had ever seen before and was decades ahead of it’s time.
Jackie Collins truly was a trailblazer, writing the most raunchy and openly sexual books during a time where television censored women’s bellybuttons and people were not even allowed to kiss with any tongue on screen. For that reason alone it has to be appreciated for helping to transition the world into a new era of sexual liberation instead of repression.

The plot was quite simple compared to Jackie’s later novels but that can be overlooked seeing as it was only her second book ever published.

This is a truly exciting and titillating read for anyone who wants to lounge at the pool with a cocktail in hand and be swept up into the intimate lives of two very interesting and hedonistic characters- The Stud and The Bitch.

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Multiple-perspective trashy tale of swinging London in 1969, told by a low-class, ambitious gigolo, an innocent heiress recently released from boarding school, and a jaded, spoiled rich man's wife. Fun to see what was shocking and hip in 1969 as well as what songs they play at the pre-disco disco HOBO.

Collins does a good job with the multiple perspectives, allowing for lots of deceit and disrespect amongst the various characters. Very quick moving -- the print is large and the book is short. I can't recommend it as a satisfying beach read because it's pretty ridiculous and dated, but as an amusing precursor to reality TV, sure. Definitely worth 25 cents at Goodwill.

[Carolee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The oldest novel by Jackie Collins that I've read - it was published in 1969 (I think her first book was published in 1968, The World is Full of Married Men ... haven't done that one, yet) and being only 3 yrs old at the time, I wasn't able to gauge any hoopla this book could/would/should have caused. Hilarious pornography - raised my eyebrows even in the mid 80's - when I discovered Jackie Collins, and then promptly went on a guilty-pleasure binge ... reading one book after another and another.

[Clare Simmonds · Rating 3 out of 5]

very tame sex wise, embarrassing late 60s hipster speak, but the 3 unreliable narrators was a suprisingly clever plot device. My copy had some bizarre typos like "he was a hit with the rich old windows"

[Franny Bittman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to read this for a pop fiction class. I had never read or have never read since anything like this. While it was totally trashy, it did keep me interested, like a people magazine.

[Chamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Jackie. Quick read. Guilty pleasure.

[LilMisGrayBrisk · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars