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Prizzi's Family
In this prequel to Prizzi’s Honor, the mafia hitman finds himself in more trouble than even he can handle—“earthy, quirky, fast-moving entertainment” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). Charley Partanna sits in his office, quietly rigging an election. As the chief executioner for the Prizzi family, he has taken time out of his busy schedule of cold-blooded murder to ensure that New York reelects its mayor, and that dirty money continues to flow his way. When he isn’t killing snitches or stealing votes, Partanna goes to night school, but tonight, his homework will have to wait. The Prizzis are going to war. For Partanna, a mob war is nothing but an inconvenience. The streetwise underboss can make a hit completely undetected. But when he makes the mistake of falling in love with the don’s granddaughter, Partanna will see just what kind of trouble the Prizzi family can cause. Prizzi’s Family is the 2nd book in the Prizzi series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1987
30 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
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 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 6, 2014
There aren't any surprises in this book, since it comes first in chronologically. All the high points were mentioned in Prizzi's Honor. There were some issues with details, although they weren't major & are kind of mixed up since I just saw the movie, too. Condon went further over the top in this book, really hamming it up with all the players. Not nearly as good as Prizzi's Honor, more of a 2.5.
If you have the trilogy & really plan on reading all 3, I'd suggest starting with this one & then reading Prizzi's Honor, 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.
If you have the trilogy & really plan on reading all 3, I'd suggest starting with this one & then reading Prizzi's Honor, 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.
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September 26, 2021A prequel to the more famous Prizzi's Honor, this one has the disadvantage for the reader of the greater part of the conflict resolution being already known (provided, of course, one has already read the first novel in the sequence).
March 17, 2018
I loved the irony in this plot: A Mafia enforcer, feared by men [he "hoses them with fear"] is totally played by two women, one in "the environment," Maerose Prizzi, and another a rich girl out for a lark masquerading as a showgirl in a Mafia-run nightclub. A rich plot and the writing is very good.
I believe this is set before the other related novel, Prizzi's Honor, which was a movie many years ago with Jack Nicholson and Kathleen Turner.
I believe this is set before the other related novel, Prizzi's Honor, which was a movie many years ago with Jack Nicholson and Kathleen Turner.
September 4, 2022
A near perfect beach read, betrayal, Italian food descriptions, mob lore, romance, payback, romance. Not as good as I remember Prizzi's Honor being, but you can't ask the writers of throwaway novels to be completely consistent in delivering high art.
June 18, 2023
The prequel explaining the relationship with Mae in Prizzi's Honor.
A good novel by Condon but not his best.
A good novel by Condon but not his best.
May 27, 2017
Salud! Masterful!
July 14, 2012
I had seen prizzis honor years ago, but have never read any of the books it was based on. this was the first in the series, and cleared up a few fuzzy issues about the movie. It is amusing, with a great rendition of the mafis speak, and the family speak of the old italian neighborhoods. with that and the bizarre logic that charlie uses to justify his job in the family-he is their primo hit man-mixes together for a story that will leave you shaking your head in disbelief. all in all, a decent book.
March 15, 2013
The first book was OK. Prizzi kind of reminds me of Henry Hill. However, the sequel has the same problem as so many others....
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April 13, 2010F 813.54 COND
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews