- Title : Cinderella & The Carpetbagger
- Author : Grace Robbins
- Publisher :Bettie Youngs Book Publishers
- ISBN9780988284821
- Price29.95
- CurrencyUSD
- EditionHardcover
Harold Robbins’s steamy books were once more widely read than the Bible. His novels sold more than 750 million copies and created the sex-power-glamour genre of popular literature that would go on to influence authors from Jackie Collins and Jacqueline Susann to TV shows like Dallas and Dynasty.
What readers don’t know is that Robbins—whom the media had dubbed the “prince of sex and scandal”—actually “researched” the free-wheeling escapades depicted in his books himself . . . along with his drop-dead, gorgeous wife, Grace. Now, in this revealing tell-all, Grace Robbins rips the covers off the real life of the international best-selling author.
The 1960s and ‘70s were decades like no others—radical, experimental, libertine. Grace Robbins chronicles the rollicking good times, peppering her memoir with anecdotes of her encounters with luminaries from the world of entertainment and the arts—not to mention most of Hollywood. The couple was at the center of a globetrotting jet set, with mansions in Beverly Hills, villas and yachts on the French Riviera and Acapulco.
Their lives rivaled—and often surpassed—that of the characters in his books. Champagne flowed, cocaine was abundant, and sex in the pre-AIDS era was embraced with abandon. Along the way, the couple agreed to a “modern marriage,” that Harold insisted upon. But Grace has the last word, and the “original Beverly Hills Housewife” lays open their fascinating, provocative roller-coaster ride—and shares her own Cinderella tale.
My Comments :
I admit I was intrigue at how it would be like to be the wife of the world famous author of hot, steamy and sexy novels.
This book is true to its title, Grace Robbins, certainly led a Cinderella life. Plucked from a dead end marriage into the life fame and wealth. It was amazing reading how she poke fun of herself .
It was unlike some other memoirs which I've read before in which author seems to hide their negative side and push forward their good sides . I love the way where she was being candid of the mistakes that she made and at some parts even poke fun of it. For example, the part where she ruined the deck of their yacht.
Kudos to her for being brave enough to admit that she also took some responsible on the crack of their marriage. It's amazing how a wife willing to turn a blind eye on infidelity in the name of love. She must have been hurting a lot . Also I like that there was not much "bitchiness" involved when the inevitable ending came.
The only downside of this memoir is that my copy is e-book . Hence it was lack of photographs which usually accompany any memoirs. It would have been great if readers also gets a glimpse of some of the events mentioned in this book. Am not sure whether there are any photographs in the Hardcover version.
Overall, am giving it four stars out of five.
Well, there you go, I didn't know this about HR but somehow it doesn't surprise me.
ReplyDeleteA book that will no doubt have people wanting to ban it, thanks for recommending it.