The Raiders: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: No.
Review: Dissapointing, especially since I thought you couldn't go wrong with Robbins writing about Hollywood. I really didn't like any of the characters, except for a couple of the women. Most of the females were evil sluts and the men were pigs who treated the women like dirt. Also, I was hoping it would have more Hollywood dish. I thought there was supposed to be a part of the book based on the real life murder of Johnny Stompanato (Lana Turner's lover) by her duaghter Cheryl. Guess I had it confused with another book. Also, there is a character, a young dancer named Margit that I have a horrible feeling is supposed to be based on Ann-Margret. If so, Robbins should be ashamed of himself. If you're going to read a Robbins novel, don't start with this one or it will probably be the last one you read...that is if you are able to force yourself to finish it.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Novel!
Review: Enjoyed every line, every page, every chapter. I could not put this sequel down. I cannot get enough of Robbins' novels!

Rating:
Summary: With Robbins, you gotta be prepared for sex, but........
Review: Over the past several books, what you get is an increasing level of raunch, pure and simple. It's really wierd to say that, because I'm no prude. I was a line soldier in the Sexual Revolution. Okay, the story line in a Robbins book is usually strong--I only know of a couple which are really weak in this way. But Jonas and his part-Latino son both enjoy the favors of two different actresses who work for them, plus the son is successfully seduced by his half-sister. You could excuse that from a couple of guys who go by the Casanova credo "why should I make one woman miserable when I can make several women happy?", but both of these guys have real girlfriends who they respect and who respect them. It was a given in "The Carpetbaggers" that the Cord family aren't exactly poster children for maturity--this book makes them seem positively adolescent. The celebrated decadence of Hollywood is almost a cliche--this book goes a long way to reinforce that image.