Never Love a Stranger

Rating:
Summary: Engrossing from the outset and hard to put down.
Review: "Never Love A Stranger" is a wonderful yarn which contains all the ingredients for a mass market winner. As Robbins' first novel, ( first published in 1947 can you believe) it is far lessexplicit than his later work but this is not a disappointment. The characters are drawn vividly and their world and lives ring true. Fansof this book should also check out his 1950'stile "Never Leave Me" which is similarly satisfying.

Rating:
Summary: The first of Robbins' novels and one of the best.
Review: Lengthy, involving saga of racketeer Francis Kane was written in 1947 and is consequently less explicit than his later works. A classic drama which contains all the ingredients of a mass market winner - romance, suspense and tragedy. It was competently filmed in 1958 and starred John Drew Barrymore.

Rating:
Summary: Great stuff!
Review: This is a typical old Robbins ballad, tracing the life of Frankie Kane as he grows up to face the world. Frankie is human and sensitive and quite normal for a hero.

The love story with Ruth has an air of innocence about it and Robbins expertly developed the plot to a nice crescendo. I liked all the characters mainly because they are human and sensitive and act in a way which common people do. Highly recommended for Robbins fans.