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cambrio3's review
2.0
Second book I've read by Talese. Gives an overview of the Joseph Bonanno mafia family in the 1960s-70s mostly through the experiences of Bill Bonanno (his son). Kept thinking about the Sopranos while reading, making comparisons, etc. It is informational, and easy to read, but can't say it's gripping. Still, for someone who has mostly igrnored learning about the mafia I now feel better acquainted with their particular place in American history. This book recounts without glorifying any of the criminality and for that I'm thankful.
I will read more by Talese because I like his writing style, and because the 60s and 70s are of particular interest to me.
I will read more by Talese because I like his writing style, and because the 60s and 70s are of particular interest to me.
marty_s's review against another edition
3.0
The story of Salvatore "Bill" Bonanno, son of crime-family boss Joseph Bonanno. Covers the stories of both father and son, but concentrates on Bill (who died in January at age 76). Great insight into mafia life in the early '60s. Learned a lot about things that were going on in New York City when I was a kid that I wasn't even aware of at the time. By necessity, you have to take things with a grain of salt, since the book was written with Bill Bonanno's cooperation -- for instance, his insistence that he knew nothing about a plot to kill crime bosses Thomas Lucchese and Carlo Gambino. But it's an interesting portrait -- I imagine a big influence on David Chase in creating Tony Soprano.
jbstaniforth's review
4.0
Fascinating and deeply detailed study of growing up in the Mafia. Far more emotionally interested and personally engaging than any true crime book I've come across: really sensitive, empathetic journalism that doesn't skimp on information-- whether it's about how numbers rackets work, what kinds of pressures the son of a mafia boss feels growing up, or what mafia soldiers do to pass the many hours of boredom that comes with the job, the book patiently covers it all.
gishiroma's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
reneoro's review against another edition
5.0
"Cuando me levanto en la mañana, mi meta es vivir hasta el atardecer. Y cuando llega la noche, mi segunda meta es vivir hasta el amanecer".
mauro_german's review against another edition
5.0
Este autor tiene ese don maravilloso del cual, cuando se empieza a leer no se puede parar hasta llegar al final. Ademas de la excelente prosa que dota a personajes reales con el tinte justo de ficción, deja a uno como lector el juzgar o decidir si son de agrado o no. Fundamental este libro si gustan del complicado mundo de la "Mafia".
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
One of the things that made The Sopranos such an excellent television show was depicting the banality of mafia life. Yes, there are hits and double crosses and informants and affairs but Tony Soprano was largely a negligent husband and sometime father who suffered from physical and psychological ailments, dealt with obnoxious relatives, and just tried to make it in the day-to-day.
In the 1960s, when people were still associating Italian-Americans with the mafia, Gay Talese wanted to tell this story through the eyes of Bill Bonanno, son of Five Families crime boss Joseph Bonanno. I'm listing it as "true crime" because there are crimes (the Bonannos are a crime family, no matter how much Talese tries to paint over this) but by and-large, this is a tale of a family in transition. Bill trying to follow in his father's steps but unsure of the why or if he should; Joseph growing disenchanted with the industry that made him so successful and which is proving impossible to reform; Rosalie, Bill's mafia princess wife who is paying the consequences for her family and her husband's family sheltering her from the nature of their respective jobs.
In order to tell this tale, Talese had access that had to be unparalleled in that era of mafia secrecy. There's no way men like Carlo Gambino or Chin Gigante were going to let a reporter anywhere near their respective situations. The result is a complete, frequently fascinating, occasionally tedious portrayal of a family in transition. A family that just happens to revolve around the business of crime.
This isn't loved by mob aficionados and I can see why. Talese has no interest in telling a pulpy tale of gentlemen gangster a la The Godfather. This one is far more accurate. If you can suffer Talese's lengthy descriptions of traveling, meals, and legality, you may appreciate this one.
In the 1960s, when people were still associating Italian-Americans with the mafia, Gay Talese wanted to tell this story through the eyes of Bill Bonanno, son of Five Families crime boss Joseph Bonanno. I'm listing it as "true crime" because there are crimes (the Bonannos are a crime family, no matter how much Talese tries to paint over this) but by and-large, this is a tale of a family in transition. Bill trying to follow in his father's steps but unsure of the why or if he should; Joseph growing disenchanted with the industry that made him so successful and which is proving impossible to reform; Rosalie, Bill's mafia princess wife who is paying the consequences for her family and her husband's family sheltering her from the nature of their respective jobs.
In order to tell this tale, Talese had access that had to be unparalleled in that era of mafia secrecy. There's no way men like Carlo Gambino or Chin Gigante were going to let a reporter anywhere near their respective situations. The result is a complete, frequently fascinating, occasionally tedious portrayal of a family in transition. A family that just happens to revolve around the business of crime.
This isn't loved by mob aficionados and I can see why. Talese has no interest in telling a pulpy tale of gentlemen gangster a la The Godfather. This one is far more accurate. If you can suffer Talese's lengthy descriptions of traveling, meals, and legality, you may appreciate this one.