Yargo (novel)
Yargo is a romantic science fiction novel by Jacqueline Susann. It was written during the 1950s, but not published until 1979, four years after Susann's death. Plot summary. "Yargo" tells the story of Janet Cooper, a young woman from Avalon, New Jersey, who is abducted by aliens from the planet Yargo. During her interplanetary adventures with these intelligent but emotionless extraterrestrials, she falls in love with their leader. Background. Jacqueline Susann had long been interested in science fiction; her widower, Irving Mansfield, said that when they first met, she wanted to spend their dates at the Hayden  Planetarium instead of at nightclubs. In the early 1950s, she began to write "Yargo", originally called "The Stars Scream". She finished the book in 1956, and gave it to MCA agent George Chasin, who attempted to sell the story to Hollywood. Unsuccessful, he put the manuscript aside, where it was forgotten until Chasin reportedly was cleaning out a filing cabinet after Susann's death. Irving Mansfield suggested Chasin send it to Bantam Books, Susann's long-time paperback publisher; Bantam accepted it for publication, with a first printing of 1.3 million copies. The story also appeared in the February 1979  issue of the "Ladies' Home Journal", which had enjoyed a huge success five years earlier when it published Susann's original novella, "Dolores". "Yargo" was published on February 28, 1979. Reception. Critical notices were negative: one critic wrote, "It's awful, as usual, and it will sell, as usual." "The Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Review" stated that "Yargo" is "mildly entertaining," but "has no lasting value... except perhaps as a curiosity." "Yargo" was, nonetheless, a best seller, spending seven weeks on the "New York Times" Mass Market Paperback list. The blog The Sleaze Factor, that celebrates trashy books, movies and  pop culture, found "Yargo" "Very delightful indeed." He continues, "Contrary to what some may believe, "Yargo" is surprisingly effective. Of course you have to dig Jacqueline Susann to really get this one. We’re not talking about Alan Dean Foster here. "Yargo" is just a quick and satisfying—and yes, silly—read that will make anyone on the Susann band wagon smile and appreciate her range as a trashy novelist."