Yet neither the Pope nor his children ever realize their full potential as rich historical characters. The children, Cesare, Juan, Lucrezia, and Jofre, are simultaneously spoiled and corrupted by their father, who is portrayed as a forerunner of the Mafia dons Puzo had previously written about. Quickly, Alexander moves to consolidate his family’s power, and thereby its future, by placing his four illegitimate children in positions of authority and privilege. It begins in 1492 as Rodrigo Borgia, utilizing the bribery and political intrigue that were to subsequently mark his reign, becomes Pope Alexander VI. The story centres on one of history’s most fascinating families, the Borgias. Unfortunately, while the research is excellent, the novel is not. It is the part adventure saga, past historical romance that Puzo reportedly spent the last 15 years of his life researching. Nevertheless, here I will be talking about Puzo’s last book, The Family, which was completed after his death (July 2, 1999) by his longtime companion, novelist Carol Gino. Culturally speaking, it was one of the most influential film series until a young English boy arrived at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. However, nothing could have prepared me for the sheer brilliance of The Godfather, a book so insanely popular it created an entire subgenre in American literature. Unlike a lot of people, I was introduced to his writing through The Dark Arena and The Fortunate Pilgrim. For if we honour that commitment, we will never be vanquished - but if we falter in that loyalty, we will all be condemned.Let me begin by saying that I am a die-hard Mario Puzo fan.

We must learn from each other, protect each other, and be bound first and foremost to each other. 'And the loyalty of the family must come before everything and everyone else. 'We are a family,' Alexander told his children. The Borgias face immense opposition from all quarters of Italy, but their deadliest foes may be far closer to home.Ī tale of brutality and betrayal that crowns Mario Puzo's remarkable career Scheming and plotting for their own ends are his children: Giovanni, the much-favoured golden boy his younger brother Cesare, jealous and vicious and Lucrezia, cunning, calculating and passionate. Headed by Rodrigo Borgia, better known as Pope Alexander VI, this tight-knit family is fighting to keep its iron grip on Italy - but theirs is a lethal game, and the cost of failure is surely death. But where there is gold - and power - there are those who are willing to do anything to get their hands on them.Įnter the Borgias. The Renaissance is in full swing, heralding a new golden age for Europe. Click here to purchase from Rakuten Kobo _įrom the legendary author of THE GODFATHER comes a novel of the original Italian crime familyįifteenth-century Italy.

The Family by Mario Puzo