Johnson - your views re H. Robbins?

[Desiremakesmeweak]

I spent a lot of years looking at, borrowing from libraries, and even buying books by Harold Robbins, and, I recall the Daily Mirror and other journals and magazines would have him beside a Jensen Interceptor or a Corvette or something, and spruiking about his latest smash global betseller.

A friend of mine who was a significant (genius, really) architect and designer, and who specialised in very expensive hardwood furniture, had this manuscript he was working on the whole of his life (that he never finished as far as I know), which he claimed was along the lines of a Robbins novel. He would wax lyrical about the genius of Robbins and tell me how women, particularly, read his books and got off from them. He was definitely impressed by Robbins' books.

I'm in two minds about Harold Robbins. He said in interviews that he considered himself the world's best writer in basic English - and I think that idea is admirable; I'm all for uncomplicated language in most cases.

Frankly, I personally consider propaganda also a valid form of fiction writing, and for me, Harold Robbins was all packaging and propaganda and virtually zero actual prose writing talent at all. Which means I still rate him 'up there' for what it's worth, though not as a writer of novels. And I don't mean to be deprecating about it, really. His titles and storylines were turned into reasonable films perhaps because 'log lines' make movies in many cases.

What is your view?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I spent a lot of years looking at, borrowing from libraries, and even buying books by Harold Robbins, and, I recall the Daily Mirror and other journals and magazines would have him beside a Jensen Interceptor or a Corvette or something, and spruiking about his latest smash global betseller.

A friend of mine who was a significant (genius, really) architect and designer, and who specialised in very expensive hardwood furniture, had this manuscript he was working on the whole of his life (that he never finished as far as I know), which he claimed was along the lines of a Robbins novel. He would wax lyrical about the genius of Robbins and tell me how women, particularly, read his books and got off from them. He was definitely impressed by Robbins' books.

I'm in two minds about Harold Robbins. He said in interviews that he considered himself the world's best writer in basic English - and I think that idea is admirable; I'm all for uncomplicated language in most cases.

Frankly, I personally consider propaganda also a valid form of fiction writing, and for me, Harold Robbins was all packaging and propaganda and virtually zero actual prose writing talent at all. Which means I still rate him 'up there' for what it's worth, though not as a writer of novels. And I don't mean to be deprecating about it, really. His titles and storylines were turned into reasonable films perhaps because 'log lines' make movies in many cases.

What is your view?

I haven't thought of Harold Robbins since I was 14 back in 1963. Gimme time to read one of his books, and we'll discuss him.

 

[glynndah]

I remember his books as some of the first "adult" books I ever read.

Fast, racy reads, well, for a twelve year old, anyway.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The library has a copy of THE CARPETBAGGERS I'll pick up at noon.

 

[WhiteManFux]

The library has a copy of THE CARPETBAGGERS I'll pick up at noon.

That is a rather tame one compared to some of his other smut.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I started THE CARPETBAGGERS but am tempted to hoist a white flag and lower the life boats. Robbins abuse of static verbs makes me crazy.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

For all intents and purposes I can no longer read the small print in paperbacks. The sight in my right eye has little contrast (print and background are much alike) and the sight in my left eye is a weird form of dyslexia (what I see is clear and distinct but whole words are a jumbled mess...to read I must look at each letter and assemble the words aurally). Old age conquered me, and participation at LIT falls off my list of priorities. There must be at least 100 other activities I rank higher than tilting at windmills like TEX and PILOT and clueless noobs.

 

[ElectricBlue]

That's sad to hear, JBJ. Looks like it's just reading the fucking road signs then.... that's shit.

For all intents and purposes I can no longer read the small print in paperbacks. The sight in my right eye has little contrast (print and background are much alike) and the sight in my left eye is a weird form of dyslexia (what I see is clear and distinct but whole words are a jumbled mess...to read I must look at each letter and assemble the words aurally). Old age conquered me, and participation at LIT falls off my list of priorities. There must be at least 100 other activities I rank higher than tilting at windmills like TEX and PILOT and clueless noobs.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

That's sad to hear, JBJ. Looks like it's just reading the fucking road signs then.... that's shit.

I gave up driving a while back but now reading is a major pain in the ass that demands too much time, more time than I wanna spend on TEX and PILOT and the trophy hungry noobs. I really need to limit my participation to 911 ass kickings.