Don Roberto Luciano turns informer for the biggest Mafia trial in history, but his family pays a terrible price. The head of the family, his three sons, his two grandsons and his nephew are all killed leaving the five widows to reclaim their inheritance from a dangerous Mafioso.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
BBC writer La Plante's hefty first novel initially daunts with a surfeit of minor characters and confusing Mafia business connections--but is redeemed by the emergence of strong major characters and a plot offering a stark view of the dark bonds of power. Don Roberto Luciano, boss of the Sicilian Mafia, agrees to be chief witness in the trial of Paul Carolla, who murdered Luciano's firstborn son, Michael, 20 years ago. Despite round-the-clock protection, all the Luciano men are killed the night before a family wedding. The don's wife, Graziella, holds together what's left of the family--daughters-in-law Theresa and Sophia, and Theresa's daughter Rosa--while instructing their lawyer to sell off business holdings. Eventually the women become involved in the business themselves, trying to recover money that's disappeared into Carolla's hands. Following a courtroom shootout, Carolla's adopted son Luka, using his knowledge of organization politics and his mastery of murder, becomes the women's partner and protector. Once the Luciano women discover Luka's secret, however, they implacably take revenge in the ruthless manner of their age-old code, and the strongest of them becomes the new head of the family, the bella mafiosa .
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
This rather lengthy novel has a relatively simple plot: all male members of the Luciano family are murdered. The widows and daughter left behind band together to avenge the killings and bring the family into power again, hence "Bella Mafia." The reader will find a standard recipe of gangland violence and murder mixed with plenty of wine and spaghetti. However, the addition of ingredients like infanticide, hints of sexual abuse, secret identity, homosexuality, and possible incest, combined with the world of high fashion, creates a flavor that isn't entirely palatable. The novel raises several issues that aren't satisfactorily resolved. A blend of Mario Puzo and Judith Krantz that doesn't quite work, by a BBC writer. Literary Guild selection.
- Rebecca House Stankowski, Purdue Univ. Calumet, Hammond, Ind.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Rebecca House Stankowski, Purdue Univ. Calumet, Hammond, Ind.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I could read this over and over!,
By
This review is from: Bella Mafia (Paperback)
I first read Bella Mafia long before the tv movie was produced. The book is so much better than the movie. The characters were so interesting and you can't help but feel for htem. Even the most heartless character will have your sympathy. Ms. LaPlante did not leave anything lacking in this mafia story. The focus on the women of the family was very refreshing. She did not leave you hanging at the end, as some authors love to do. If you do nothing else, I advise you to read this book. As I type this, I'm considering re-reading it myself, for the third time.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
the best,
This review is from: Bella Mafia (Paperback)
I was 12 when i read this book and even then i found it to be superb and magnificent. although i must say it took all lot of material from the godfather it was still excellent. it surpassed the godfather because it was so chilling and it had more drama and you felt for the characters and thier problems. Also it focused on women and thier struggles to live happily amongst the mob. I have always liked the workings o fthe mafoa ans i thought this book realle captured the meaning o f the mob while including the gangsters family problems. But the best thing was the calibur of the family problems and the immense amount of dramatic irony. Roberto Luciano's near obbsessive adoration of his beautiful eldest son led him and his family to his downfall. Paul Corolla's jealosy and stupidity caused so much heartache for the Lucianos. And Luka, the tragic figure, the hauntingly beautiful illegetimate son of sophia & Michael went thru so much. IT was powerful and the closing words were touching."the thorns of the rose are hidden by the bloom" this is a book that will forever stay with u.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!,
By Natalie (Dorset, England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Bella Mafia (Paperback)
Having read this book 13 times now I am still totally captivated by it. You will not find a better read than Bella Mafia - no matter what your tastes are. The story follows the Luciano Mob Family in Sicily and contains a rare mixture of Mafia life and it's effects and the power of the women, seemingly helpless after the murder of every male member of their precious family. Lynda La Plante has a way of writing which grips you and all her books are fantastic. I would also recommend her books Entwined, The Legacy and the Talisman. Bella Mafia however stands out as the best read you can get.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
