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.