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Prizzi's glory
This is the third in Richard Condon's series on the business of the Brooklyn mafia and the powerful Prizzi family. In this book the ambitions of Don Corrado Prizzi turn towards the American presidency and a drive for outward respectability - a route bedevilled by pitfalls. Richard Condon is the author of a number of books including "The Manchurian Candidate", "Mile High", "Prizzi's Honour" and "Prizzi's Family".
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
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About the author
Richard Condon
87 books106 followersRichard Thomas Condon was a satirical and thriller novelist best known for conspiratorial books such as The Manchurian Candidate.
After service in the United States Merchant Marine, Condon achieved moderate success as a Hollywood publicist, ad writer and Hollywood agent. Condon turned to writing in 1957. Employed by United Artists as an ad writer, he complained that he was wasting time in Hollywood and wished to write a novel. Without Condon's knowledge, his boss, Max E. Youngstein deducted amounts from his salary then fired him after a year giving him the amount of money he had deducted in the form of a Mexican bank account and the key to a house overlooking the ocean in Mexico. Youngstein told him to write his book. His second novel, The Manchurian Candidate (1959), featured a dedication to Youngstein. The movie made from it in 1962, made him famous. Prizzi's Honor (1982) was likewise made into a successful movie.
Condon's writing was known for its complex plotting, fascination with trivia, and loathing for those in power; at least two of his books featured thinly disguised versions of Richard Nixon. His characters tend to be driven by obsession, usually sexual or political, and by family loyalty. His plots often have elements of classical tragedy, with protagonists whose pride leads them to a place to destroy what they love. Some of his books, most notably Mile High (1969), are perhaps best described as secret history. And Then We Moved to Rossenara is a humorous autobiographical recounting of various places in the world where he had lived and his family's 1970s move to Rossenarra, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.
After service in the United States Merchant Marine, Condon achieved moderate success as a Hollywood publicist, ad writer and Hollywood agent. Condon turned to writing in 1957. Employed by United Artists as an ad writer, he complained that he was wasting time in Hollywood and wished to write a novel. Without Condon's knowledge, his boss, Max E. Youngstein deducted amounts from his salary then fired him after a year giving him the amount of money he had deducted in the form of a Mexican bank account and the key to a house overlooking the ocean in Mexico. Youngstein told him to write his book. His second novel, The Manchurian Candidate (1959), featured a dedication to Youngstein. The movie made from it in 1962, made him famous. Prizzi's Honor (1982) was likewise made into a successful movie.
Condon's writing was known for its complex plotting, fascination with trivia, and loathing for those in power; at least two of his books featured thinly disguised versions of Richard Nixon. His characters tend to be driven by obsession, usually sexual or political, and by family loyalty. His plots often have elements of classical tragedy, with protagonists whose pride leads them to a place to destroy what they love. Some of his books, most notably Mile High (1969), are perhaps best described as secret history. And Then We Moved to Rossenara is a humorous autobiographical recounting of various places in the world where he had lived and his family's 1970s move to Rossenarra, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 23, 2014
Another fun run with Charley Partana, who really shines in this one. While the book dragged a little at times, the ending was a knock out. A lot of tongue-in-cheek action & maneuvering, but when it gets down to it, suddenly the chill comes one. Charley is really a very tough, smart, & chilling guy. Not very likable, though.
Prizzi's Honor is by far the best book of the 3 I've read. I'd put this second. It's definitely better than Prizzi's Family, which is pretty much a rehash of remembered events in Prizzi's Honor.
Prizzi's Honor is by far the best book of the 3 I've read. I'd put this second. It's definitely better than Prizzi's Family, which is pretty much a rehash of remembered events in Prizzi's Honor.
May 24, 2014
This was an enjoyable read, it was witty and cleverly written about Don Corrado Prizzi, head of the richest and most powerful Mafia family in America who wants to be known as respectable. This means he has to make his financial interests such as narcotics, prostitution, counterfeiting etc. franchised. His son decides he wants run for President. There are many crazy situations which occur and the author Richard Condon writes them with wit and satire.
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April 18, 2021It has its moments but the Prizzis probably should’ve been left alone after the first one.
July 8, 2014
Perhaps I was too young to identify with a settled, respectable life, but this didn't delight me the way Prizzi's Honor did.
June 21, 2023
The wrap (I think) to the Prizzi's. It kind of got silly toward the end as far as I was concerned. Or maybe I just read too many Prizzis in a row.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews