Prizzi's Honor

by Richard Condon

PRIZZI'S HONOR is no ordinary story of boy-meets-girl. Charley Partanna is a faithful lieutenant for the Prizzis, New York's most powerful Mafia family. The object of his affections is Irene Walker, a Los Angeles-based tax consultant. But it's her freelancing that pays--she's a hit woman for the Mob. She has also cheated the Prizzis out of an unforgivably large sum of money.

This is very dangerous moonlighting indeed, and eventually it places Charley's oldest loyalties in conflict with his newest one. Which wins?

"His best book since THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE...he mixes caricature and character as easily as Charley hacks off thumbs." (Chicago Tribune Book World)

Genres: Fiction, Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Media Tie In, Novels, Literary Fiction

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Richard 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.

Reviews

[Manny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Nicholson has just realised that his girlfriend is a contract killer who's made fifty hits.

"Well," says Kathleen Turner defensively, "it's not so many when you consider the size of the population."

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Richard Condon is probably best known for his cold war thriller The Manchurian Candidate but he is equally at home in this dark comedy about love between a female hired assassin and a mafioso hit man. The tangled plot is amusing as are the Romeo-and-Juliet ruminations about the difficulties of star-crossed love, but the real focus here is the characters, particularly Sicilian hit man Charley Partanna and his cronies who are a never-ending source of amusement. About the movie version, venerated critic Pauline Kael once wrote: "It's like The Godfather acted out by The Munsters."

[Alan (on December semi-hiatus) Teder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Your Wife or Your Life
Review of the Berkeley Books movie tie-in edition paperback (June, 1985) of the Coward, McCann & Geoghegan hardcover original (March, 1982).

"There is no choice, Charley. The existence of the Prizzi family is in your hands."...
"But she is my wife, Padrino." Charley's voice broke.
"She is your wife, we are your life," his father said. "Tell us your answer, Charley."

I just had to do a re-read of Prizzi's Honor when I found its author Richard Condon listed in Christopher Fowler's The Book of Forgotten Authors (2017). How could the author of books such as The Manchurian Candidate (1959) be forgotten? Admittedly it would be difficult to find one of Condon's books in a bricks & mortar bookstore these days, even if the 1959 novel was resurrected as recently as its 2004 film adaptation with Denzel Washington. The title itself has become somewhat of a catchphrase for describing a political candidate being a front for someone else. I remember it being used as a description of Donald Trump being manipulated by Vladimir Putin for instance.

In any case, Prizzi's Honor did not fail to entertain even in what must have been my upteenth reading of it. The satirical tale of a mob family protecting its so-called "honor" (which was simply the desire for more wealth and power) was just as hilarious, but also as cold-blooded as ever. The story can of course be read as a parable for all sorts of corrupt business or political families. The Prizzi saga continued with 3 additional books with the improbably entry of former family hitman Charley Partanna into the American political world. No one at GR has even bothered to do a Listopia of the books which, in addition, are Prizzi's Family (#2 1987), Prizzi's Glory (#3 1988) and Prizzi's Money (#4 1994). Perhaps that is another sign of being forgotten.

Trivia and Links
Prizzi's Honor was adapted for the same-titled 1985 film by director John Huston with a screenplay by author Richard Condon with Janet Roach. Anjelica Huston won the Best Supporting Female Actor Oscar for her performance as Maerose Prizzi. You can watch the trailer for the film here, and an extended clip with Anjelica Huston and William Hickey as the head of the Prizzi family, Don Corrado Prizzi here.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this years ago & one other book, but I think it was the last one. It recently came up in a group & I found I no longer had it, so I went to AbeBooks & got the entire trilogy in paperback delivered for less than $10. Couldn't resist.

It was great on a reread! Condon's characters just pop & with images of Jack Nicholson, Kathleen Turner, Robert Loggia, & Anjelica Huston dancing through the story, it was perfect. The characters are overblown, teetering between caricatures & real people. The situation is twisty, both understandable & ludicrous. I was both laughing at them & rooting for them (both sides, either, neither?) throughout, but always totally engaged. Definitely a classic!

Prizzi's Family comes before chronologically & is spoiled by this one. It's pretty over the top. If you have the trilogy & really plan on reading all 3, I'd suggest starting with 'Family' & then reading this one, although it isn't nearly as good, though. The 'last' of the trilogy Prizzi's Glory, isn't either. This is the first & best. A 4th book was added 5 or 6 years later, Prizzi's Money. I haven't read it & don't plan on it.

Original review: 4 stars. It's been years since I read this (about Y2K), but I really liked it. Loved the movie, too.

[George K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Αυτό είναι το δεύτερο βιβλίο του Ρίτσαρντ Κόντον που διαβάζω, μιας και προ αμνημονεύτων χρόνων (το 2010, όταν ακόμα πήγαινα στη Γ' Λυκείου), διάβασα το "Ο αυτοκράτορας της Αμερικής", μια πολιτική σάτιρα που τότε (μάλλον) δεν με είχε ξετρελάνει, αλλά που σίγουρα θα ξαναδιαβάσω κάποια στιγμή γιατί κάτι μου λέει ότι θα μου αρέσει περισσότερο τώρα. Ο Κόντον είναι κυρίως γνωστός για ένα από τα κορυφαία ψυχροπολεμικά θρίλερ όλων των εποχών, το "The Manchurian Candidate", που έχει μεταφερθεί δυο φορές στον κινηματογράφο με μεγάλη επιτυχία (το 1962 και το 2004), αλλά που δυστυχώς δεν έχει μεταφραστεί στα ελληνικά. Λοιπόν, το "Η τιμή των Πρίτζι" είναι ένα πραγματικά άκρως ψυχαγωγικό και απολαυστικό μυθιστόρημα με μαφιόζους, γκάνγκστερ και επαγγελματίες εκτελεστές, το οποίο με κράτησε στην τσίτα από την πρώτη μέχρι την τελευταία σελίδα. Γίνονται πολλά τρελά και τραγελαφικά μέσα στο βιβλίο, ειδικά από τη στιγμή που ο εκτελεστής της Μαφίας Τσάρλι Παρτάνα ερωτεύεται την Αϊρίν, η οποία όμως τυχαίνει να είναι μια ανεξάρτητη επαγγελματίας δολοφόνος κορυφαίου επιπέδου. Υπάρχουν πολλές, πραγματικά πολλές απολαυστικές σκηνές με όλα αυτά τα μαφιόζικα κόλπα και τις βρόμικες μπίζνες, ενώ και το ιδιόρρυθμο ειδύλλιο μεταξύ των δυο πρωταγωνιστών είναι επίσης απολαυστικά δοσμένο. Και, βέβαια, το τέλος είναι εξαιρετικά κυνικό και ολίγον τι αναπάντεχο. Όσον αφορά τη γραφή, είναι πολύ καλή, με γλαφυρές περιγραφές και αστραφτερούς διαλόγους, με τον συγγραφέα να έχει μια σαφώς σατιρική διάθεση απέναντι στον κόσμο της ιταλικής Μαφίας στις ΗΠΑ. Θέλω να πω, τούτο το βιβλίο δεν είναι εξίσου σοβαρό (ή σοβαροφανές) με τον Νονό, ας πούμε ότι είναι μια... Ταραντινική εκδοχή του. Πέρασα τόσο καλά διαβάζοντάς το, που θα μπορούσα να του βάλω ακόμα και πέντε αστεράκια (τεσσεράμισι για την ακρίβεια), αλλά έτσι θα αδικούσα άλλα βιβλία, ποιοτικά ανώτερα. Δεν έχουν σημασία τα αστεράκια όμως, αρκεί που πέρασα τέλεια.

[Hank Quense · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one before, bit it's worth while reading twice. A great book by a great author. This Condon's first and best book about the Prizzi's, a powerful mob of gangsters in Brooklyn, NY. The main character and the mob's enforcer is Charley Partanna. Charley attends a wedding and falls in love with a women who also attends. Charley doesn't know she is a freelance shooter who has a contract in New York to hit and old gangster, normally Charley's responsibility.

[DeAnna Knippling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mafia hit man in love.

Not as sharp and delightful as The Manchurian Candidate, but a solid read. Playful, ironic, brutal, and classic--very nearly a satirical retelling of Romeo and Juliet.

Recommended for Mafia/gang story fans, in a slightly unrealistic vein, as well as people who like a larger-than-life romantic drama.

[Anthony O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Sharp and clever gangster yarn that was slightly ruined for me because I can remember some of the more shocking revelations two decades after randomly catching the movie adaptation on the telly. Still, it's a worthwhile venture even if my eyes did glaze over a bit when they kept explaining the fiscal minutiae of the big plan.

Good luck not seeing Jack Nicholson, Kathleen Turner and William Hickey as you read though!

[David Wrubel · Rating 4 out of 5]

After 'The Godfather" and before 'The Sopranos,' there were the Prizzis, the extended first family of fictional organized crime. Both Prizzi's Honor and Prizzi's Glory are wildly entertaining satires that I am always sad finish, and always wish there were one more to read.

Another case where the books are better than the movie, good as it was.

[Elizabeth Licata · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like your Mafia on the light side, this series is for you. It has a good feel of authenticity, plenty of insider details, and just enough blood. But fun.

[sam marcello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book, easy dialogue, ....its truly an enjoyable funny read ...... loved it ...!!!

[Terri Weitze · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never seen the movie, but I can tell you the book is terrific. Another WOW. Two people fall in love, one cares about money above all things, the other cares about family above all things; but they have one thing in common - they kill people. A story all about relationships and how crazy they can be. Funny, sweet, sad, and lots and lots of action. Richard Condon is now one of my all-time favorite authors.

[Jack Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love mafia this is one you. The story is tight, fast moving, and in the end surprising. There is great irony in the title. If you look at what I have read in the last two years it is way over weighted with stuff written in the last 2-3 years. It was fun reading a book where people smoked, used telephone books, carried guns on airplanes, and did not worry about DNA.

[Gareth Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It's very entertaining and funny. The story keeps you turning the pages and the dialogue is superbly written as it immediately puts you in the characters' heads. Charley is such a great character because he's smart yet stupid and he's a stone cold killer.

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent (and very funny) black comedy set against the background of a New York mafia family (with more detail/more realistic than The Godfather!). Little bit over-long/over-complicated though (i.e. could've done with editing down to a tighter narrative arc) so knocking a star off.

[Sergio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un romanzo che non si dimentica!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The movie is be y true to this novel. The characters are somewhat two-dimensional and the story a bit simplistic. Good beach read.

[Monique Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing reminded me of Janet Evanovich's books. Easy read and good book. I am just now sure it is my type of writing.

[BAGNULO MARCELLO · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bella storia di mafia alla "Mr and Mrs Smith". Un bel romanzo per due grandi interpreti del film tratto: Jack Nicholson e Cathelin Turner.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb

A brilliant classic. It is hard to describe this novel adequately. It is brilliantly written giving a real feeling of the way things worked in the New York underworld.

[David]

In someways a typical Mafia novel, while in others significantly different enough to lift it above the norm of that subgenre. Lots of fun.

[paul reska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great love story

Inside look on.Sicilian home cooking. A different twist on a love story and a different twist on a mob story with a great ending

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

wearing this fellow till when maybe you know?

[Kim Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read! Highly enjoyable.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black humour that was made into a movie. As a consequence Condon wrote I believe 3 more Prizzi novels.

[Don Paske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable dark comedy. Dragged along in some places.

[Trish Schneider]

Dnf for me

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, brilliantly plotted, cynical: I loved it. And I will add: unputdownable.

[Chris Strangeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is good, but there's only so much you can get out of a mob book because there's so many of them. I remember liking the movie better.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read. Happily passed a few days tucked up in bed recovering from Covid.