Trump Tower (novel): Difference between revisions
Sagecandor (talk | contribs) copy edit |
m Disambiguating links to Red eye (link changed to Red Eye (talk show)) using DisamAssist. |
||
(21 intermediate revisions by 18 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|2011 book by Jeffrey Robinson}} |
|||
{{Use American English|date=August 2020}} |
|||
{{other uses|Trump Tower (disambiguation)}} |
{{other uses|Trump Tower (disambiguation)}} |
||
{{Infobox book |
{{Infobox book |
||
Line 34: | Line 36: | ||
| website = |
| website = |
||
}} |
}} |
||
'''''Trump Tower''''' is a work of fiction by [[Jeffrey Robinson]], originally credited to [[Donald Trump]],<ref name=vanguardfirsted /><ref name=oborne /><ref name=openlibraryfirst /> and billed as Trump's "[[debut novel]]" by the publisher.<ref name=hooton /><ref name=alibrisfirst /><ref name=inside /> It was first published in 2011 by [[Vanguard Press]].<ref name=vanguardfirsted /><ref name=openlibraryfirst /> Trump had previously attempted to create a television series titled ''Trump Tower'', modeled after ''[[Dallas (1978 TV series)|Dallas]]'', ''[[Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]'', and ''[[Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series)|Upstairs, Downstairs]]''.<ref name=vanityfair/><ref name=fontana /> He worked with MVP Entertainment, contracted a writer in Los Angeles, and successfully had [[Showtime Networks]] develop a [[television pilot]].<ref name=vanityfair /> After receiving a payment for television rights to ''Trump Tower'', he marketed the idea to [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]].<ref name=vanityfair /> |
'''''Trump Tower''''' is a work of fiction by [[Jeffrey Robinson]], originally credited to [[Donald Trump]],<ref name=vanguardfirsted /><ref name=oborne /><ref name=openlibraryfirst /> and billed as Trump's "[[debut novel]]" by the publisher.<ref name=hooton /><ref name=alibrisfirst /><ref name=inside /> It was first published in 2011 by [[Vanguard Press]].<ref name=vanguardfirsted /><ref name=openlibraryfirst /> Trump had previously attempted to create a television series titled ''Trump Tower'', modeled after ''[[Dallas (1978 TV series)|Dallas]]'', ''[[Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]'', and ''[[Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series)|Upstairs, Downstairs]]''.<ref name=vanityfair/><ref name=fontana /> He worked with MVP Entertainment, contracted a writer in Los Angeles, and successfully had [[Showtime Networks]] develop a [[television pilot]].<ref name=vanityfair /> After receiving a payment for television rights to ''Trump Tower'', he marketed the idea to [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]].<ref name=vanityfair /> The book by this title was developed in 2011 listing Trump, but when released in 2012 credited Robinson as sole author.<ref name=inside /><ref name=vanguardseconded /><ref name=foxnews /> |
||
The plot of the book is set within a fictional version of [[Trump Tower]], with Trump himself appearing as a character in the work.<ref name=esquire /> Detailed sex acts are depicted including [[BDSM]] and the [[rape]] of a woman.<ref name=tango /><ref name=hooton /> An employee of the building is described having sex on the set of ''[[The Celebrity Apprentice]]''.<ref name=luling /> The plot moves from [[erotica]] to murder mystery, and the building manager is initially a suspect before later being cleared.<ref name=luling /> [[Bill Clinton]] and other celebrities appear in [[cameo appearance]]s.<ref name=luling /> |
The plot of the book is set within a fictional version of [[Trump Tower]], with Trump himself appearing as a character in the work.<ref name=esquire /> Detailed sex acts are depicted including [[BDSM]] and the [[rape]] of a woman.<ref name=tango /><ref name=hooton /> An employee of the building is described having sex on the set of ''[[The Celebrity Apprentice]]''.<ref name=luling /> The plot moves from [[erotica]] to murder mystery, and the building manager is initially a suspect before later being cleared.<ref name=luling /> [[Bill Clinton]] and other celebrities appear in [[cameo appearance]]s.<ref name=luling /> |
||
''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'' placed the work within the genre of [[erotic literature]].<ref name=esquire /> A book review in the ''[[New York Post]]'' compared the storyline to the novel ''[[Fifty Shades of Grey]]'' (2011).<ref name=keil /><ref name=hooton /> ''Playground Magazine'' wrote that Trump Tower was itself a [[Phallus|phallic object]] in the work.<ref name=martinez/> ''[[The Huffington Post]]'' called the book "incredibly sexist".<ref name=luling/> ''[[Tango Magazine]]'' said it had high levels of [[Kink (sexual)|sexual kinkiness]].<ref name=tango/> ''[[New York Magazine]]'' called it "a very very sexist novel".<ref name=fontana/> ''[[The Late Show with Stephen Colbert]]'' host [[Stephen Colbert]] discussed the book on his show.<ref name=tango |
''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'' placed the work within the genre of [[erotic literature]].<ref name=esquire /> A book review in the ''[[New York Post]]'' compared the storyline to the novel ''[[Fifty Shades of Grey]]'' (2011).<ref name=keil /><ref name=hooton /> ''Playground Magazine'' wrote that Trump Tower was itself a [[Phallus|phallic object]] in the work.<ref name=martinez/> ''[[The Huffington Post]]'' called the book "incredibly sexist".<ref name=luling/> ''[[Tango Magazine]]'' said it had high levels of [[Kink (sexual)|sexual kinkiness]].<ref name=tango/> ''[[New York Magazine]]'' called it "a very very sexist novel".<ref name=fontana/> ''[[The Late Show with Stephen Colbert]]'' host [[Stephen Colbert]] discussed the book on his show.<ref name=tango /><ref name=colbert /> |
||
==Plot synopsis== |
==Plot synopsis== |
||
The novel is set within a fictional version of [[Trump Tower]] in New York City, New York.<ref name=tango /><ref name=fontana /> |
The novel is set within a fictional version of [[Trump Tower]] in New York City, New York.<ref name=tango /><ref name=fontana /> A fictionalized version of [[Donald Trump]] appears as a character in the novel.<ref name=esquire /> The Trump character is described in the novel as giving out details of his sex life to others, making hiring and firing decisions, and denigrating the mental status of tenants residing in his building.<ref name=luling /> ''Trump Tower'' portrays the machinations of the love lives engaged in by both residents of the building, in addition to the employees who work inside of the facility.<ref name=tango /> |
||
Sex acts are depicted within the novel including those displaying [[Kink (sexual)|sexual kinkiness]] and [[BDSM|bondage, dominance, submission, and sadomasochism]].<ref name=tango /><ref name=luling /> A worker in the book is depicted in a sex act occurring on the set of ''[[The Celebrity Apprentice]]'' inside of Trump Tower.<ref name=luling /> Women appear in the book with detailed descriptions based on their perceived level of physical attractiveness.<ref name=fontana /> A [[rape]] of a woman is described in detail within the first chapter of the book.<ref name=tango /><ref name=hooton /> |
Sex acts are depicted within the novel, including those displaying [[Kink (sexual)|sexual kinkiness]] and [[BDSM|bondage, dominance, submission, and sadomasochism]].<ref name=tango /><ref name=luling /> A worker in the book is depicted in a sex act occurring on the set of ''[[The Celebrity Apprentice]]'' inside of Trump Tower.<ref name=luling /> Women appear in the book with detailed descriptions based on their perceived level of physical attractiveness.<ref name=fontana /> A [[rape]] of a woman is described in detail within the first chapter of the book.<ref name=tango /><ref name=hooton /> |
||
After its initial foray into erotica within the first section of the work, the tale subsequently becomes a murder mystery.<ref name=esquire /> One of the main protagonists of the book is the building manager of Trump Tower, Pierre Belasco, who attempts to ensure stable operation of the facility.<ref name=luling /><ref name=oborne /> |
After its initial foray into erotica within the first section of the work, the tale subsequently becomes a murder mystery.<ref name=esquire /> One of the main protagonists of the book is the building manager of Trump Tower, Pierre Belasco, who attempts to ensure stable operation of the facility.<ref name=luling /><ref name=oborne /> In Belasco's point of view, "Donald Trump only thinks he rules Trump Tower."<ref name=luling /> He attempts to prove this throughout the work.<ref name=luling /> |
||
At the conclusion of the work, Trump appears and usurps power from the building manager.<ref name=luling /> The building manager was a suspect in the murder mystery, and by the conclusion of the work he is confirmed to have not been the killer.<ref name=luling /> The novel features [[cameo appearance]]s from fictional versions of celebrities including [[Bill Clinton]].<ref name=luling /> |
At the conclusion of the work, Trump appears and usurps power from the building manager.<ref name=luling /> The building manager was a suspect in the murder mystery, and by the conclusion of the work, he is confirmed to have not been the killer.<ref name=luling /> The novel features [[cameo appearance]]s from fictional versions of celebrities, including [[Bill Clinton]].<ref name=luling /> |
||
==Composition and publication== |
==Composition and publication== |
||
Line 58: | Line 60: | ||
|caption_align=center |
|caption_align=center |
||
|align=right |
|align=right |
||
}}[[Donald Trump]] initially attempted to produce a television series titled ''Trump Tower'' which would have been modeled after [[soap opera]]s ''[[Dallas (1978 TV series)|Dallas]]'', ''[[Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]'', and ''[[Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series)|Upstairs, Downstairs]]''.<ref name=vanityfair>{{citation|access-date=June 19, 2017|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/04/donald-trump-tv-pitches|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|title=Inside the Trump TV Empire That Never Was - Late 1990s: Trump Tower|first=Laura|last=Bradley|date=April 6, 2017}}</ref><ref name=fontana /> MVP Entertainment production company employee Bob Frederick worked with Trump and they contracted with a writer based |
}}[[Donald Trump]] initially attempted to produce a television series titled ''Trump Tower'' which would have been modeled after [[soap opera]]s ''[[Dallas (1978 TV series)|Dallas]]'', ''[[Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]'', and ''[[Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series)|Upstairs, Downstairs]]''.<ref name=vanityfair>{{citation|access-date=June 19, 2017|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/04/donald-trump-tv-pitches|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|title=Inside the Trump TV Empire That Never Was - Late 1990s: Trump Tower|first=Laura|last=Bradley|date=April 6, 2017}}</ref><ref name=fontana /> MVP Entertainment production company employee Bob Frederick worked with Trump and they contracted with a writer based in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]] to write the plot of the potential television series.<ref name=luling /> Trump pitched the idea to television networks in earnest during the period of the 1990s.<ref name=vanityfair /><ref name=luling /> Trump convinced [[Showtime Networks]] to create a [[television pilot]] episode, which did not further develop into a full television series.<ref name=vanityfair /> Trump received payment for television rights to the series at this point in time.<ref name=luling /> After this setback, Trump next took his ''Trump Tower'' television show pitch in 2008 to the television network [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]].<ref name=vanityfair /> Trump was slated to be the narrator of the Lifetime version of the ''Trump Tower'' television series.<ref name=luling /> The novel initially attributed to Trump, carried the same title and basic plot outline as his previously pitched television series.<ref name=vanityfair /> |
||
The novel was first published in 2011 by Vanguard Press, attributed to Donald Trump as author and [[Jeffrey Robinson]] as [[ghostwriter]].<ref name=vanguardfirsted>{{citation|work=[[OCLC|OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Incorporated]]|author= |
The novel was first published in 2011 by Vanguard Press, attributed to Donald Trump as author and [[Jeffrey Robinson]] as [[ghostwriter]].<ref name=vanguardfirsted>{{citation|work=[[OCLC|OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Incorporated]]|author=WorldCat|date=2017|title=Trump Tower: A Novel, by Donald J. Trump, with Jeffrey Robinson|oclc=693810756|author-link=WorldCat}}</ref><ref name=oborne /><ref name=openlibraryfirst>{{citation|work=[[Open Library]]|agency=[[Internet Archive]]|date=2017|title=Trump Tower a novel by Donald Trump|ol = 24848298M}}</ref> The original cover of the novel stated, "Donald J. Trump with Jeffrey Robinson".<ref name=oborne>{{citation|title=How Trump Thinks|chapter=Fiction|first=Peter|last= Oborne|publisher=Head of Zeus|year=2017|isbn=978-1786696656}}</ref> The book had the tagline: "The sexiest novel of the decade".<ref name=oborne /><ref name=hooton>{{citation|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505021125/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/donald-trump-trump-tower-novel-book-sex-and-workplace-racism-a7393041.html|archivedate=May 5, 2017|access-date=June 19, 2017|work=[[The Independent]]|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/donald-trump-trump-tower-novel-book-sex-and-workplace-racism-a7393041.html|first=Christopher|last=Hooton|date=November 2, 2016|title=Donald Trump authored a novel and naturally it's about non-consensual sex and workplace racism}}</ref> It was originally advertised as the "[[debut novel]]" of Donald Trump.<ref name=hooton /><ref name=alibrisfirst>{{citation|work=[[Alibris]]|access-date=June 20, 2017|url=https://www.alibris.com/search/books/isbn/9781593156435|title=Trump Tower by Donald Trump, Jeffrey Robinson|quote=In the tradition of Arthur Hailey's 'Hotel' comes the debut novel from 'New York Times' bestselling author, international business mogul, television superstar, and New York City icon, Donald J. Trump.|date=2017}}</ref><ref name=inside>{{citation|access-date=June 20, 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKbdj_eyCcg|title=Could Donald Trump Really Have Written a Steamy Novel?|date=November 1, 2016|publisher=[[YouTube]]|type=video|work=[[Inside Edition]]|time=0:18|quote=When ''Trump Tower'' came out in 2012, it was publicized as Trump's 'debut novel'. Here's the original cover, featuring Trump's name above that of coauthor Jeffrey Robinson}}</ref> Marketing materials said the book was within the same vein as ''[[Hotel (Hailey novel)|Hotel]]'' by [[Arthur Hailey]].<ref name=alibrisfirst /><ref name=bibliocommons>{{citation|access-date=June 20, 2017|work=[[BiblioCommons]]|url=https://innisfil.bibliocommons.com/item/show/118370078_trump_tower|title=Trump Tower - Trump, Donald J.|quote=In the tradition of Arthur Hailey's Hotel comes the debut novel from New York Times bestselling author, international business mogul, television superstar, and New York City icon, Donald J. Trump.|date=June 13, 2017|isbn=9781593156435 }}</ref> When the book was first given its initial [[International Standard Book Number]], primary authorship was ascribed to Donald Trump.<ref name=prensa>{{citation|work=[[La Prensa (Panama City)|La Prensa]]|location=[[Panama City]]|language=Spanish|url=http://impresa.prensa.com/panorama/pluma-Donald-Trump_0_4668283239.html|title=La pluma de Donald Trump|date=January 17, 2017|access-date=June 19, 2017|first=Helkin|last=Guevera}}</ref><ref name=luling /> The novel was cataloged in the [[Library of Congress]] with Trump as the main author.<ref name=fontana /> Another edition attributed to Donald Trump was released the same year in audiobook format by Playaway Digital Audio.<ref name=vanguardfirstedaudio>{{citation|work=[[OCLC|OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Incorporated]]|author=WorldCat|date=2017|title=Trump Tower: A Novel, by Donald J. Trump|oclc=709674014|author-link=WorldCat}}</ref><ref name=alibrisaudiofirst>{{citation|type=Audiobook CD|date=2017|access-date=June 20, 2017|work=[[Alibris]]|url=https://www.alibris.com/search/books/isbn/9781455821808|title=Trump Tower by Donald J Trump, Jeffrey Robinson}}</ref> The cover designer of the work was Jeff Williams.<ref name=luling /> Book vendors and librarians received marketing materials for the book in 2011 with its original cover featuring Trump as primary author, with Robinson's name appearing below Trump's.<ref name=vanityfair /><ref name=fontana /> The literature purveyors subsequently received a notice that the original version of the work would not be sent out to them; instead they were sent a copy of the 2012 edition.<ref name=vanityfair /> Perseus Books Group, supervisor of Vanguard Press, told ''[[The Huffington Post]]'' when contacted that year, that the first published version of the title from 2011 was unavailable.<ref name=luling /> |
||
The novel was subsequently published in 2012 with Jeffrey Robinson credited as sole author.<ref name=vanguardseconded>{{citation|work=[[OCLC|OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Incorporated]]|author= |
The novel was subsequently published in 2012 with Jeffrey Robinson credited as sole author.<ref name=vanguardseconded>{{citation|work=[[OCLC|OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Incorporated]]|author=WorldCat|date=2017|title=Trump Tower: A Novel, by Jeffrey Robinson|oclc=780161666|author-link=WorldCat}}</ref> An ebook of the second version was published the same year.<ref name=vanguardsecondebook>{{citation|work=[[OCLC|OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Incorporated]]|author=WorldCat|date=2017|title=Trump Tower: A Novel, by Jeffrey Robinson|oclc=798535500|author-link=WorldCat}}</ref> A review of the work by Trump was posted to the back of the 2012 edition of the book.<ref name=esquire /><ref name=martinez /><ref name=vanityfair /> Trump stated he was eager to see the novel adapted into a television series.<ref name=martinez /><ref name=hooton /><ref name=vanityfair /> Trump posted to [[Twitter]] in 2012 to promote the work, calling it a "must-read".<ref name=twitter>{{cite tweet|access-date=June 20, 2017|user=realDonaldTrump|number=235072054423085056|first=Donald John|last=Trump|authorlink=Donald John Trump|date=August 13, 2012|time=10:55 AM EST|title=Donald J. Trump on Twitter: "Jeffrey Robinson's #TrumpTower has it all. The ultra rich, powerful, and beautiful. It's your summer must-read http://t.co/lQKvIzzV" / Twitter}}</ref> The 2012 edition of the book was for sale in the Trump Tower gift shop in 2016.<ref name=esquire>{{citation|access-date=June 19, 2017|work=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]|title=All I Want for Christmas Is This Trump Tower Erotica Novel|url=http://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/sex/news/a50208/donald-trump-erotic-book/|first=Sarah|last=Rense|date=November 1, 2016}}</ref><ref name=hooton /><ref name=inside /> It was marketed in a display case in the Trump Store in Trump Tower alongside copies of other books authored by Trump.<ref name=luling /><ref name=inside /> |
||
==Reception== |
==Reception== |
||
Writing for ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'', Sarah Rense placed the novel within the genre of [[erotic literature]].<ref name=esquire /> ''[[Fox News]]'' concurred, calling it an erotic novel.<ref name=foxnews>{{citation|access-date=June 20, 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EggSb7bjqi0|work=[[Red Eye ( |
Writing for ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'', Sarah Rense placed the novel within the genre of [[erotic literature]].<ref name=esquire /> ''[[Fox News]]'' concurred, calling it an erotic novel.<ref name=foxnews>{{citation|access-date=June 20, 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EggSb7bjqi0|work=[[Red Eye (talk show)|Red Eye]]|agency=[[Fox News]]|publisher=[[YouTube]]|type=video|date=November 2, 2016|title=Did Trump ghostwrite erotic novel 'Trump Tower'?|first=Tom|last= Shillue|authorlink=Tom Shillue|time=0:16|quote=The publisher originally marked the book as, quote: 'the debut novel from New York Times-bestselling author, international business mogul, television superstar, and New York City icon, Donald J. Trump.'}}</ref> Jennifer Gould Keil of the ''[[New York Post]]'' commented, "''Trump Tower'' is a fun read about the depths of degradation residents go to in order to live in the Midtown building".<ref name=keil>{{citation|access-date=June 19, 2017|first=Jennifer Gould|last=Keil|work=[[New York Post]]|url=https://nypost.com/2012/07/19/grand-street/|title=Real Estate: 'Grand' street - 'Trump' naughty novel is fun read|date=July 19, 2012}}</ref> She compared the plot of the work to the novel ''[[Fifty Shades of Grey]]'' (2011).<ref name=keil /><ref name=hooton /> She wrote that its writing style was akin to a masculine take on [[Danielle Steel]].<ref name=keil /> Keil concluded the book had potential to be developed into a movie or television show.<ref name=keil /> ''Playground Magazine'' journalist Xaime Martínez wrote that Trump Tower in the novel was a literary device used as a metaphor for a [[Phallus|phallic object]].<ref name=martinez>{{citation|language=Spanish|url=http://www.playgroundmag.net/cultura/books/Donald-Trump-Spoiler-machista-escribio_0_1858614143.html|work=Playground Magazine|first=Xaime|last=Martinez|title=Books - Donald Trump publicó una novela. Spoiler: es machista y no la escribió él - Trump Tower es, como casi todo lo que ha hecho el candidato republicano, una demostración del tamaño de su...|date=November 3, 2016|publisher=PlayGround Comunicación S.L.|access-date=June 20, 2017|archive-date=August 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813112233/https://www.playgroundmag.net/cultura/books/Donald-Trump-Spoiler-machista-escribio_0_1858614143.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[The Huffington Post]]'' reporter Todd Van Luling called the book "incredibly sexist".<ref name=luling>{{citation|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-novel_us_580a62bce4b0cdea3d874ca9|title=The Incredibly Sexist Book Once Billed As Trump's 'Debut Novel'|first1=Todd|last1= Van Luling |work=[[The Huffington Post]]|access-date=June 18, 2017|date=October 31, 2016|quote=If it seems odd that Trump would have such an affinity for ''Trump Tower'', it makes more sense once you know that the publisher originally marketed the book as "the debut novel from 'New York Times'-bestselling author, international business mogul, television superstar, and New York City icon, Donald J. Trump.'}}</ref> Van Luling criticized the writing style of the book, pointing out "numerous typographical errors" and "abrupt tonal shifts".<ref name=luling /> |
||
[[Late-night talk show]] host [[Stephen Colbert]] discussed the novel on his television program ''[[The Late Show with Stephen Colbert]]'', and commented upon the phallic role taken on by Trump Tower itself within the fictional work.<ref name=mccann>{{citation|url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2016/11/stephen-colbert-election-monologue|title=Stephen Colbert Drags Trump: 'A Head of Broccoli Would Make a Better President Than Trump'|date=November 2, 2016|first=Mac|last=McCann|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|access-date=June 20, 2017 |
[[Late-night talk show]] host [[Stephen Colbert]] discussed the novel on his television program ''[[The Late Show with Stephen Colbert]]'', and commented upon the phallic role taken on by Trump Tower itself within the fictional work.<ref name=mccann>{{citation|url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2016/11/stephen-colbert-election-monologue|title=Stephen Colbert Drags Trump: 'A Head of Broccoli Would Make a Better President Than Trump'|date=November 2, 2016|first=Mac|last=McCann|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|access-date=June 20, 2017}}</ref><ref name=colbert /> Colbert commented a more appropriate title for ''Trump Tower'' would have been ''Symbolic Penis''.<ref name=tango /><ref name=colbert>{{citation|first=Stephen|last=Colbert|authorlink=Stephen Colbert|work=[[The Late Show with Stephen Colbert]]|publisher=[[CBS]]; Season 2, Episode 36|date=November 1, 2016|time=11:42pm EST|title=Mel Gibson, Luke Bracey, Tegan and Sara}}</ref> ''[[Tango Magazine]]'' editor Rebecca Jane Stokes wrote that the novel exhibited significant amounts of [[Kink (sexual)|sexual kinkiness]].<ref name=tango>{{citation|access-date=June 19, 2017|work=[[Tango Magazine]]|url=http://www.yourtango.com/2016297451/donald-trump-wrote-erotic-romance-novel-with-sex-kink-bdsm|title=Omg! Donald Trump Wrote A Sex Book And It's Kinky As Hell|first=Rebecca Jane|last=Stokes|date=November 14, 2016}}</ref> She echoed the comments of Jennifer Gould Keil and also compared the work's plot to ''Fifty Shades of Grey''.<ref name=tango /> Stokes criticized the work for appealing to a mainly male audience, "The book might present a kinky escape for the male of the species, but if you don't have a penis, this probably isn't the type of sexy story you're looking for."<ref name=tango /> ''[[New York Magazine]]'' journalist Kaitlin Fontana called the work "a very very sexist novel".<ref name=fontana>{{citation|url=http://www.vulture.com/2016/10/donald-trump-reportedly-wrote-a-sexist-novel-trump-tower.html|title=Donald Trump May Have 'Written' a Very, Very Sexist Novel|work=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|agency=[[New York (magazine)|New York Magazine]]|last=Fontana|first=Kaitlin|date=October 31, 2016|access-date=June 18, 2017}}</ref> Fontana concluded, "Maybe you should skip ''Trump Tower'', unless you're a sadomasochist (and not the fun kind)."<ref name=fontana /> |
||
==References== |
==References== |
||
{{Reflist|30em}} |
{{Reflist|30em}} |
||
{{Donald Trump}} |
|||
{{Trump media}} |
{{Trump media}} |
||
{{Portal bar|Books|Business and economics|Literature |
{{Portal bar|Books|Business and economics|Literature|United States}} |
||
[[Category:2011 American novels]] |
[[Category:2011 American novels]] |
||
Line 85: | Line 86: | ||
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Bill Clinton]] |
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Bill Clinton]] |
||
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Donald Trump]] |
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Donald Trump]] |
||
⚫ | |||
[[Category:Novels set in New York City]] |
[[Category:Novels set in New York City]] |
||
[[Category: |
[[Category:Novels about rape]] |
||
⚫ | |||
[[Category:Vanguard Press books]] |
|||
[[Category:Books written by presidents of the United States]] |
Latest revision as of 00:16, 6 April 2024
Author | Jeffrey Robinson (Originally credited to Donald Trump)[1][2][3] |
---|---|
Cover artist | Jeff Williams |
Language | English |
Genre | Crime fiction |
Set in | Trump Tower |
Published | 2011 |
Publisher | Vanguard Press |
Publication place | United States |
Media type | Hardcover |
Pages | 416 |
ISBN | 978-1593156435 |
OCLC | 693810756 |
813/.6 | |
LC Class | PS3620.R859 T78 2011 |
Preceded by | Midas Touch (2011) |
Followed by | Time to Get Tough (2011) |
[4][5][6] |
Trump Tower is a work of fiction by Jeffrey Robinson, originally credited to Donald Trump,[1][2][3] and billed as Trump's "debut novel" by the publisher.[6][7][8] It was first published in 2011 by Vanguard Press.[1][3] Trump had previously attempted to create a television series titled Trump Tower, modeled after Dallas, Dynasty, and Upstairs, Downstairs.[4][5] He worked with MVP Entertainment, contracted a writer in Los Angeles, and successfully had Showtime Networks develop a television pilot.[4] After receiving a payment for television rights to Trump Tower, he marketed the idea to Lifetime.[4] The book by this title was developed in 2011 listing Trump, but when released in 2012 credited Robinson as sole author.[8][9][10]
The plot of the book is set within a fictional version of Trump Tower, with Trump himself appearing as a character in the work.[11] Detailed sex acts are depicted including BDSM and the rape of a woman.[12][6] An employee of the building is described having sex on the set of The Celebrity Apprentice.[13] The plot moves from erotica to murder mystery, and the building manager is initially a suspect before later being cleared.[13] Bill Clinton and other celebrities appear in cameo appearances.[13]
Esquire placed the work within the genre of erotic literature.[11] A book review in the New York Post compared the storyline to the novel Fifty Shades of Grey (2011).[14][6] Playground Magazine wrote that Trump Tower was itself a phallic object in the work.[15] The Huffington Post called the book "incredibly sexist".[13] Tango Magazine said it had high levels of sexual kinkiness.[12] New York Magazine called it "a very very sexist novel".[5] The Late Show with Stephen Colbert host Stephen Colbert discussed the book on his show.[12][16]
Plot synopsis
[edit]The novel is set within a fictional version of Trump Tower in New York City, New York.[12][5] A fictionalized version of Donald Trump appears as a character in the novel.[11] The Trump character is described in the novel as giving out details of his sex life to others, making hiring and firing decisions, and denigrating the mental status of tenants residing in his building.[13] Trump Tower portrays the machinations of the love lives engaged in by both residents of the building, in addition to the employees who work inside of the facility.[12]
Sex acts are depicted within the novel, including those displaying sexual kinkiness and bondage, dominance, submission, and sadomasochism.[12][13] A worker in the book is depicted in a sex act occurring on the set of The Celebrity Apprentice inside of Trump Tower.[13] Women appear in the book with detailed descriptions based on their perceived level of physical attractiveness.[5] A rape of a woman is described in detail within the first chapter of the book.[12][6]
After its initial foray into erotica within the first section of the work, the tale subsequently becomes a murder mystery.[11] One of the main protagonists of the book is the building manager of Trump Tower, Pierre Belasco, who attempts to ensure stable operation of the facility.[13][2] In Belasco's point of view, "Donald Trump only thinks he rules Trump Tower."[13] He attempts to prove this throughout the work.[13]
At the conclusion of the work, Trump appears and usurps power from the building manager.[13] The building manager was a suspect in the murder mystery, and by the conclusion of the work, he is confirmed to have not been the killer.[13] The novel features cameo appearances from fictional versions of celebrities, including Bill Clinton.[13]
Composition and publication
[edit]Donald Trump initially attempted to produce a television series titled Trump Tower which would have been modeled after soap operas Dallas, Dynasty, and Upstairs, Downstairs.[4][5] MVP Entertainment production company employee Bob Frederick worked with Trump and they contracted with a writer based in Los Angeles, California to write the plot of the potential television series.[13] Trump pitched the idea to television networks in earnest during the period of the 1990s.[4][13] Trump convinced Showtime Networks to create a television pilot episode, which did not further develop into a full television series.[4] Trump received payment for television rights to the series at this point in time.[13] After this setback, Trump next took his Trump Tower television show pitch in 2008 to the television network Lifetime.[4] Trump was slated to be the narrator of the Lifetime version of the Trump Tower television series.[13] The novel initially attributed to Trump, carried the same title and basic plot outline as his previously pitched television series.[4]
The novel was first published in 2011 by Vanguard Press, attributed to Donald Trump as author and Jeffrey Robinson as ghostwriter.[1][2][3] The original cover of the novel stated, "Donald J. Trump with Jeffrey Robinson".[2] The book had the tagline: "The sexiest novel of the decade".[2][6] It was originally advertised as the "debut novel" of Donald Trump.[6][7][8] Marketing materials said the book was within the same vein as Hotel by Arthur Hailey.[7][17] When the book was first given its initial International Standard Book Number, primary authorship was ascribed to Donald Trump.[18][13] The novel was cataloged in the Library of Congress with Trump as the main author.[5] Another edition attributed to Donald Trump was released the same year in audiobook format by Playaway Digital Audio.[19][20] The cover designer of the work was Jeff Williams.[13] Book vendors and librarians received marketing materials for the book in 2011 with its original cover featuring Trump as primary author, with Robinson's name appearing below Trump's.[4][5] The literature purveyors subsequently received a notice that the original version of the work would not be sent out to them; instead they were sent a copy of the 2012 edition.[4] Perseus Books Group, supervisor of Vanguard Press, told The Huffington Post when contacted that year, that the first published version of the title from 2011 was unavailable.[13]
The novel was subsequently published in 2012 with Jeffrey Robinson credited as sole author.[9] An ebook of the second version was published the same year.[21] A review of the work by Trump was posted to the back of the 2012 edition of the book.[11][15][4] Trump stated he was eager to see the novel adapted into a television series.[15][6][4] Trump posted to Twitter in 2012 to promote the work, calling it a "must-read".[22] The 2012 edition of the book was for sale in the Trump Tower gift shop in 2016.[11][6][8] It was marketed in a display case in the Trump Store in Trump Tower alongside copies of other books authored by Trump.[13][8]
Reception
[edit]Writing for Esquire, Sarah Rense placed the novel within the genre of erotic literature.[11] Fox News concurred, calling it an erotic novel.[10] Jennifer Gould Keil of the New York Post commented, "Trump Tower is a fun read about the depths of degradation residents go to in order to live in the Midtown building".[14] She compared the plot of the work to the novel Fifty Shades of Grey (2011).[14][6] She wrote that its writing style was akin to a masculine take on Danielle Steel.[14] Keil concluded the book had potential to be developed into a movie or television show.[14] Playground Magazine journalist Xaime Martínez wrote that Trump Tower in the novel was a literary device used as a metaphor for a phallic object.[15] The Huffington Post reporter Todd Van Luling called the book "incredibly sexist".[13] Van Luling criticized the writing style of the book, pointing out "numerous typographical errors" and "abrupt tonal shifts".[13]
Late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert discussed the novel on his television program The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and commented upon the phallic role taken on by Trump Tower itself within the fictional work.[23][16] Colbert commented a more appropriate title for Trump Tower would have been Symbolic Penis.[12][16] Tango Magazine editor Rebecca Jane Stokes wrote that the novel exhibited significant amounts of sexual kinkiness.[12] She echoed the comments of Jennifer Gould Keil and also compared the work's plot to Fifty Shades of Grey.[12] Stokes criticized the work for appealing to a mainly male audience, "The book might present a kinky escape for the male of the species, but if you don't have a penis, this probably isn't the type of sexy story you're looking for."[12] New York Magazine journalist Kaitlin Fontana called the work "a very very sexist novel".[5] Fontana concluded, "Maybe you should skip Trump Tower, unless you're a sadomasochist (and not the fun kind)."[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d WorldCat (2017), "Trump Tower: A Novel, by Donald J. Trump, with Jeffrey Robinson", OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Incorporated, OCLC 693810756
- ^ a b c d e f Oborne, Peter (2017), "Fiction", How Trump Thinks, Head of Zeus, ISBN 978-1786696656
- ^ a b c d "Trump Tower a novel by Donald Trump", Open Library, Internet Archive, 2017, OL 24848298M
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Bradley, Laura (April 6, 2017), "Inside the Trump TV Empire That Never Was - Late 1990s: Trump Tower", Vanity Fair, retrieved June 19, 2017
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Fontana, Kaitlin (October 31, 2016), "Donald Trump May Have 'Written' a Very, Very Sexist Novel", Vulture, New York Magazine, retrieved June 18, 2017
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Hooton, Christopher (November 2, 2016), "Donald Trump authored a novel and naturally it's about non-consensual sex and workplace racism", The Independent, archived from the original on May 5, 2017, retrieved June 19, 2017
- ^ a b c d "Trump Tower by Donald Trump, Jeffrey Robinson", Alibris, 2017, retrieved June 20, 2017,
In the tradition of Arthur Hailey's 'Hotel' comes the debut novel from 'New York Times' bestselling author, international business mogul, television superstar, and New York City icon, Donald J. Trump.
- ^ a b c d e f "Could Donald Trump Really Have Written a Steamy Novel?", Inside Edition (video), YouTube, event occurs at 0:18, November 1, 2016, retrieved June 20, 2017,
When Trump Tower came out in 2012, it was publicized as Trump's 'debut novel'. Here's the original cover, featuring Trump's name above that of coauthor Jeffrey Robinson
- ^ a b WorldCat (2017), "Trump Tower: A Novel, by Jeffrey Robinson", OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Incorporated, OCLC 780161666
- ^ a b Shillue, Tom (November 2, 2016), "Did Trump ghostwrite erotic novel 'Trump Tower'?", Red Eye (video), YouTube, Fox News, event occurs at 0:16, retrieved June 20, 2017,
The publisher originally marked the book as, quote: 'the debut novel from New York Times-bestselling author, international business mogul, television superstar, and New York City icon, Donald J. Trump.'
- ^ a b c d e f g Rense, Sarah (November 1, 2016), "All I Want for Christmas Is This Trump Tower Erotica Novel", Esquire, retrieved June 19, 2017
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Stokes, Rebecca Jane (November 14, 2016), "Omg! Donald Trump Wrote A Sex Book And It's Kinky As Hell", Tango Magazine, retrieved June 19, 2017
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Van Luling, Todd (October 31, 2016), "The Incredibly Sexist Book Once Billed As Trump's 'Debut Novel'", The Huffington Post, retrieved June 18, 2017,
If it seems odd that Trump would have such an affinity for Trump Tower, it makes more sense once you know that the publisher originally marketed the book as "the debut novel from 'New York Times'-bestselling author, international business mogul, television superstar, and New York City icon, Donald J. Trump.'
- ^ a b c d e Keil, Jennifer Gould (July 19, 2012), "Real Estate: 'Grand' street - 'Trump' naughty novel is fun read", New York Post, retrieved June 19, 2017
- ^ a b c d Martinez, Xaime (November 3, 2016), "Books - Donald Trump publicó una novela. Spoiler: es machista y no la escribió él - Trump Tower es, como casi todo lo que ha hecho el candidato republicano, una demostración del tamaño de su...", Playground Magazine (in Spanish), PlayGround Comunicación S.L., archived from the original on August 13, 2018, retrieved June 20, 2017
- ^ a b c Colbert, Stephen (November 1, 2016), "Mel Gibson, Luke Bracey, Tegan and Sara", The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CBS; Season 2, Episode 36, event occurs at 11:42pm EST
- ^ "Trump Tower - Trump, Donald J.", BiblioCommons, June 13, 2017, ISBN 9781593156435, retrieved June 20, 2017,
In the tradition of Arthur Hailey's Hotel comes the debut novel from New York Times bestselling author, international business mogul, television superstar, and New York City icon, Donald J. Trump.
- ^ Guevera, Helkin (January 17, 2017), "La pluma de Donald Trump", La Prensa (in Spanish), Panama City, retrieved June 19, 2017
- ^ WorldCat (2017), "Trump Tower: A Novel, by Donald J. Trump", OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Incorporated, OCLC 709674014
- ^ "Trump Tower by Donald J Trump, Jeffrey Robinson", Alibris (Audiobook CD), 2017, retrieved June 20, 2017
- ^ WorldCat (2017), "Trump Tower: A Novel, by Jeffrey Robinson", OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Incorporated, OCLC 798535500
- ^ Trump, Donald John [@realDonaldTrump] (August 13, 2012). "Donald J. Trump on Twitter: "Jeffrey Robinson's #TrumpTower has it all. The ultra rich, powerful, and beautiful. It's your summer must-read http://t.co/lQKvIzzV" / Twitter" (Tweet). Retrieved June 20, 2017 – via Twitter.
- ^ McCann, Mac (November 2, 2016), "Stephen Colbert Drags Trump: 'A Head of Broccoli Would Make a Better President Than Trump'", Complex, retrieved June 20, 2017
- 2011 American novels
- American crime novels
- American erotic novels
- Books about companies
- Books about Donald Trump
- Books by Donald Trump
- Cultural depictions of Bill Clinton
- Cultural depictions of Donald Trump
- Novels set in New York City
- Novels about rape
- 2011 debut novels
- Vanguard Press books
- Books written by presidents of the United States