Damn that was long!!!!

It was confusing at times with all of the POV's and jumping from a time years ago until current times (1977). But the background was priceless. Man those times where tough. Being black was extremely bad and being a women wasn't much better. And the sex…very weird reading in the non use of protection time. Only a very few got STD's and AID's wasn't even a blip on the radar yet. The only disease they talked about was the clap - when was the last time ANYONE referred to it as that? I am so amazed with all the unprotected sex that there wasn't a gazillion more babies.

Most of the story is typical back and forth mobster stuff. Was the Sopranos based on this story or what? For all the shit Gino pulled he truly was a great husband and father until Maria was murdered.

SPOILERS AHEAD....


The end is so sad, I still want to cry b/c of Marco. And then her brother. That hurt, they were so close and then they were just nothing. Who is Stevens father? The preppy guy or Gino. The book made it seem like it was Gino but it would be near impossible for him and Carrie to have a green eyed child. If he is Gino's son then it is a good hung Steven and Lucky didn't hook up.

Was like reading a novel where everyone speaks like Robert de Niro. Very over the top with lots of big breasted women. Was hoping a Sidney Sheldon-like plot but this wasn't. It was OK, though.

I first read this book at least 20 years ago (maybe more), so it was a distant memory in my mental library when it was assigned as a book club summer read following the death of its author.
I have to say, although it's no literary masterpiece it's still a rollicking good read that sucks you in from the start. I may even read the rest of the Santangelo series this year!

I read this book not long after it came out; I was a senior in high school. It was that fun, forbidden element that made it a nice diversion from my usual reading. Gino was hot and Lucky added some zest to my own imagination. Even today, reading Lucky's adventures is a guilty pleasure for me.

Just love these trashy books!

I struggled through the first 2 thirds of this book. It not only jumps from character POV to character POV, but also back and forth through the time line. If the last third of the book remained the same, I would probably have rated it lower. I won’t be continuing the series.

I must admit I was absolutely shocked by how good this story was. I can't wait to read the second installment about Lucky. It was a very easy read but also had an addicting storyline. I could really see it as a mini series. I know that it was written during the Dallas, Falcon Crest era. It really is a soap opera. However, I highly suspect that there is some aspect of truth behind this novel. It also reminds me of the Godfather saga. Gino is a character that you can both love and love to hate. The same can be said for Carrie, Lucky ,Dario, Costa, Steven....... and the list goes on. I wish I would have read this novel as a teen, but I would not have been ready for the subject matter. Although set in the 1920s-1970s, it is still a story to stand time and is like reading a piece of fiction history.

Unputdownable

I read this 800 page book in 4 days during a work week. I read it every waking moment I had a chance. It’s like The Godfather in steroids. 100% recommend!

good book.