Reviews

The Family by Mario Puzo

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An incredible read. Puzo brings these historical characters to life as if you were right there with them. Equal parts compelling and revolting, the stark differences (and some similarities) between their time and ours, their view of God and mine, were definitely thought provoking.

Just in case you’re squirmish, I’d like to mention that there are some very violent scene depictions, sexual situations etc. The way I see it, they probably reflect the violence of that era.

laragaensebluemchen's review

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

summerseeds's review

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3.0

I almost gave this 2 stars because the scene where Rodrigo helped Cesare pleasure Lucrezia, likening it to “keeping the bloodlines pure” as in ancient Egypt, kind of seriously creeped me out.

I know that there were rumors of incest. Might it have been true? Sure, possibly. It’s more likely that it was mostly slander by enemies looking to vilify the family, but it’s possible. But this just seemed extreme.

I feel this book took all of the rumors and scandal, some of it lined with truth and some of it less so, and just ran with it. It wasn’t a bad book, but I don’t think it was a great book either. It fell flat, somehow, despite all of the shocking moments.

The Borgias are such an interesting family. I was hoping for something more.

spaceisavacuum's review against another edition

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tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

When I read the Godfather, I must’ve sat still for hours, maybe the whole day! The writing was so good, clear and articulate. Mario Puzo wrote those books with emphasis on Character Development, sort of like Game of Thrones… every chapter had someone different. And they were gangsters, so you’d get this conspiracy unraveling; not so much world building as corruption. It was thrilling! Seeing as we have Al Capone incarnate in the presidents suite, he’s really not a good man. The Christians really want the 👿 to come back. Mrgh… But I don’t believe in these things.

The Family isn’t about the Corleone’s at all, completely separate thing. It’s just a stand alone about the Pope Alexander in a period of warrior cardinals (who ever heard of a warrior Pope?) This pope had children, and his children carried on incest.

By the way, this book is bland. I would recommend reading Neal Stephenson’s Mongoliad books instead. They read about the same, but the Mongoliad is an epic trilogy of Pope electors and Mongol hordes. It’s supposed to be pretty speculative I guess; I never knew that the Mongols killed their captives with pillows. Aye, they cover them in pillows and stamp on them with their cavalry. Because they weren’t into shedding blood? 😭 That confuses history cause apparently sulfur brings Isaac Newton back to life in The System of the World. 😐

So the Pope has ambitions for his son Cesare, but Cesare only wants to lead the Papal Army. So he has to be freed of his vows and resign from the Papacy. Meanwhile, their brother Juan has been killed, the Pope suspects one of his sons. I didn’t read further, Niccolo Machiavelli made an entrance then I got distracted by grief.

“And is a man’s destiny not always both a gift and a burden? For who of us must not struggle with his own free will when praying, ‘Thy will be done, Dear Lord, not mine’?”

justin311's review

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adventurous challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

isbale3's review against another edition

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informative reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

cykelops's review

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dnf too much incest

iainkelly_writing's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

3.0

A move away from modern day Mafia stories to the Italian Renaissance equivalent, Puzo's passion project was completed after Puzo's death by friend Carol Gino. While all three familiar tropes of his work are included - loyalty, betrayal, intrigue, murder, sex - it does feel lacking in style. Diverting and interesting to read something different from him, but not up there with his better work.