Mario Puzo

The Sicilian

Arjo Gupto

** spoiler alert **
           For so many years the idea of this book appealed to me and right up to the last 4 - 5 chapters it lived up to the traits of a classic untold Godfather story. But it ends up being a lesson in practical approach to the mob life. And that lets down the utter romanticism and sense of power through history that this book has in abundance . Mr Puzo remains the king of mafia literature but the choices he makes here to end the story left me utterly confused. Nevertheless, the practical answers he provides in relation to the concept of "no good or social change can be done through a life of death and crime", exposes the naivety of those who think so and ends up being valuable lesson to a fledgling Michael Corleone. It's just not one this reader wanted or needed. 

Cause we all know, to begin with, the work of the mafia is never personal. Strictly business.

Elda Mengisto

"Standing on the top of this Monte d'Ora watching the sun come radiantly alive, Turi Guiliano was filled with youthful glee that he had escaped his enemies. He would never obey another human being again. He would choose who should live and who should die, and there was no doubt in his mind that all he would do would be for the glory and freedom of Sicily, for good and not for evil. That he would only strike for the cause of justice, to help the poor. that he would win every battle, that he would win the love of the oppressed.
He was twenty years old." 

While I was reading this book, I really liked the character of Salvatore Guiliano and what he stood for--his ideal of releasing Sicily from the grasps of the Italian government's oppression. He seemed like a legend of sorts, which was kind of intended, but Puzo also made the story human. We have him being cruel and executing anybody who has betrayed him, but we also have the merciful side of him through giving his riches for the poor. There's also the political chess game from which he has to navigate: from the Italian elections of 1948 (which I was personally surprised about Guiliano's stance) to Don Croce to how the authorities want a price on his head, which leads to Michael trying to work for a plan to get him to the United States.

I connected to Guiliano's idealism in trying to help the people, but I also realized how that clashed with the political and the intrigue he faces. Near the end of the book, "He felt an overwhelming melancholy. The old dreams had vanished. He had been so full of hope for his future and the future of Sicily...Once he had been their blessing, and now, it seemed to Guiliano, he was their curse." Another especially good quote indicating intrigue, and ultimately, survival, was said from the Don himself:

"When we are children, when we are young, it is natural to love our friends, to be generous to them, to forgive their faults.. But as we grow old and have to earn our bread, friendship does not endure so easily. We must always be on our guard...Pride grows in us – we wish to become great or powerful or rich, or simply to guard ourself against misfortune." 

I also really liked how Puzo described the landscape of Sicily--from the mountains to the olive trees to the lemon scents and the flowers. I feel like they really set the scene for a great story involving the terrors of living under the Mafia's grip, and for the most part, unfolded. However, there were some things which dragged on a little bit for me, which took away from the enjoyment a little bit.

I have read The Godfather before reading this one, and I found this one to be the more enjoyable one. However, I do want to re-read them again, along with Puzo's other works.

Score: 3.8/5

Michael Corleone's exile in Sicily is ending, but on the instructions of his father, The Godfather, he must bring back to him the young man known as Salvatore Giuliano - if he can find him. At sea amid the treacheries of a brutal and unfamiliar land, Michael must find a way through the labyrinthine deceits that surround him, while Giuliano prepares himself for a final confrontation with Don Croce, Capo di Capi of the Sicilian Mafia. A novel of explosive suspense, heroic action - and evil on an epic scale. In the hands of Mario Puzo's brilliantly sinister talent, the reader comes to know again the terrible magic of the Mafia.

The Sicilian

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