What do you think?
Rate this book
Malavita #1
Επικίνδυνη οικογένεια [Μαλαβίτα]
Μια οικογένεια που μοιάζει σαν όλες τις άλλες.
Μόνο που ένα είναι σίγουρο, αν μετακομίσουν στη γειτονιά σας, είναι ώρα να φύγετε και να μη γυρίσετε ποτέ.
Σε αυτήν τη μαφιόζικη φαρσοκωμωδία του Μπενακουίστα, ο Τζοβάννι Μαντζόνι, πρώην διαπρεπής Αμερικανός μαφιόζος που έγινε πληροφοριοδότης κι οδήγησε στη διάλυση πέντε οικογένειες της Νέας Υόρκης και στη φυλακή τον Ντον Μιμίνο, τον capo di tutti capi, έχει μετακομίσει με το πρόγραμμα προστασίας μαρτύρων του Εφ Μπι Άι ως Φρεντ Μπλέηκ στην κωμόπολη Σολόν-συρ-Αβρ της Νορμανδίας, μαζί με τη γυναίκα του και τα δυο παιδιά τους.
Σε αυτή τη μικρή επαρχιακή πόλη της Γαλλίας η οικογένεια προσπαθεί να ενταχθεί στα νέα κοινωνικά δεδομένα, αλλά οι παλιές κακές συνήθειες εμφανίζονται κάθε φορά που πρέπει να διευθετηθούν μικρές καθημερινές έγνοιες. Ο Φρεντ παριστάνει τον συγγραφέα. Η ανακάλυψη μιας γραφομηχανής στο καινούργιο τους σπίτι τού δίνει την ιδέα να καταγράψει τις εμπειρίες του από τη συμμετοχή του στο οργανωμένο έγκλημα. Η Μάγκυ, η μητέρα, αφοσιώνεται στα μπάρμπεκιου και στις φιλανθρωπίες. Η δεκαεπτάχρονη κόρη τους Μπελλ αποδεικνύεται ιδιαίτερα ικανή στο να αποκρούει τις προτάσεις των θαυμαστών της, τιμώντας το όνομά της στο έπακρο. Τέλος, ο δεκαεπτάχρονος γιος τους Ουώρρεν χρησιμοποιεί τις τεχνικές επιβίωσης που του δίδαξε ο πατέρας του για να αναποδογυρίζει τραπέζια στους νταήδες του καινούργιου σχολείου του και κατορθώνει να γίνει απαραίτητος σε όλους και για όλα.
Το Εφ Μπι Άι προσπαθεί να κρατήσει αυτή τη φαινομενικά σαν όλες τις άλλες οικογένεια μακριά από τα ραντάρ της μαφίας, η οποία έχει επικηρύξει τον Φρεντ για είκοσι εκατομμύρια δολάρια. Όμως, ακόμα κι αν βγάλεις έναν άνθρωπο από τη μαφία, δεν μπορείς να βγάλεις τη μαφία από το αίμα του. Και η μαφία έχει πολλά ονόματα - Κόζα Νόστρα, Onorevole Societe ή Μαλαβίτα, κακιά ζωή: έτσι ονόμασε ο Φρεντ τον αγαπημένο του, πιστό και τεμπέλικο σκύλο.
Μόνο που ένα είναι σίγουρο, αν μετακομίσουν στη γειτονιά σας, είναι ώρα να φύγετε και να μη γυρίσετε ποτέ.
Σε αυτήν τη μαφιόζικη φαρσοκωμωδία του Μπενακουίστα, ο Τζοβάννι Μαντζόνι, πρώην διαπρεπής Αμερικανός μαφιόζος που έγινε πληροφοριοδότης κι οδήγησε στη διάλυση πέντε οικογένειες της Νέας Υόρκης και στη φυλακή τον Ντον Μιμίνο, τον capo di tutti capi, έχει μετακομίσει με το πρόγραμμα προστασίας μαρτύρων του Εφ Μπι Άι ως Φρεντ Μπλέηκ στην κωμόπολη Σολόν-συρ-Αβρ της Νορμανδίας, μαζί με τη γυναίκα του και τα δυο παιδιά τους.
Σε αυτή τη μικρή επαρχιακή πόλη της Γαλλίας η οικογένεια προσπαθεί να ενταχθεί στα νέα κοινωνικά δεδομένα, αλλά οι παλιές κακές συνήθειες εμφανίζονται κάθε φορά που πρέπει να διευθετηθούν μικρές καθημερινές έγνοιες. Ο Φρεντ παριστάνει τον συγγραφέα. Η ανακάλυψη μιας γραφομηχανής στο καινούργιο τους σπίτι τού δίνει την ιδέα να καταγράψει τις εμπειρίες του από τη συμμετοχή του στο οργανωμένο έγκλημα. Η Μάγκυ, η μητέρα, αφοσιώνεται στα μπάρμπεκιου και στις φιλανθρωπίες. Η δεκαεπτάχρονη κόρη τους Μπελλ αποδεικνύεται ιδιαίτερα ικανή στο να αποκρούει τις προτάσεις των θαυμαστών της, τιμώντας το όνομά της στο έπακρο. Τέλος, ο δεκαεπτάχρονος γιος τους Ουώρρεν χρησιμοποιεί τις τεχνικές επιβίωσης που του δίδαξε ο πατέρας του για να αναποδογυρίζει τραπέζια στους νταήδες του καινούργιου σχολείου του και κατορθώνει να γίνει απαραίτητος σε όλους και για όλα.
Το Εφ Μπι Άι προσπαθεί να κρατήσει αυτή τη φαινομενικά σαν όλες τις άλλες οικογένεια μακριά από τα ραντάρ της μαφίας, η οποία έχει επικηρύξει τον Φρεντ για είκοσι εκατομμύρια δολάρια. Όμως, ακόμα κι αν βγάλεις έναν άνθρωπο από τη μαφία, δεν μπορείς να βγάλεις τη μαφία από το αίμα του. Και η μαφία έχει πολλά ονόματα - Κόζα Νόστρα, Onorevole Societe ή Μαλαβίτα, κακιά ζωή: έτσι ονόμασε ο Φρεντ τον αγαπημένο του, πιστό και τεμπέλικο σκύλο.
416 pages, Paperback
First published April 29, 2004
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
August 8, 2018
An unusual story: basically an American Mafia family story set in France in a small rural town in Normandy. The book is translated from the French. It’s kind of a fun romp, the type of novel I would give a “3” to but I decided on a “4” because of the depth of the character development.
The American Mafia family from New Jersey is in France on the “witness protection” program. They are supposedly shadowed by two FBI men living across the street from the family’s home who monitor all the neighborhood telephone calls and all the comings and goings to protect the family from retribution by the mob.
The main character, a 50-ish ex-Mafia hit man, or, technically, to make him a bit more lovable, an “assistant hitman,” sung like a bird to the FBI, defying the Mafia code of silence and revealing all their secrets, resulting in life-long prison terms for those he worked with including his best friends and even family members. Naturally we are told he is the “number one most wanted man in the world.”
At the end of the novel, the Mafia finds out where the family is living and sends an elite hit squad to kill them. The story deteriorates into a Keystone Cops type plot as the main character and the FBI guys go through town killing the would-be assassins.
So, a fun read, but what saved the novel for me is the well-developed portrayal of the individual characters of the four members of the family.
The main character is unrepentant. He has found an old typewriter and spends his time banging out on two fingers his “memoirs.” “He was dipping his pen into the darkness of his soul -- And that ink would surely never run dry.” He ponders the semicolon: “How could a sentence both come to an end and carry on at the same time?”
His wife tries to make up for the guilt she feels about how her family made its living by turning to volunteer work and she “mothers” the two FBI guys across the street by bring them home-cooked Italian dishes. She tells her husband ”Well, believing in God, for me, was that light blanket [that she used in bed even when it was warm], and you’ve taken it away from me.”
The high-school aged daughter is portrayed as an angel. Beautiful, innocent, helpful to everyone.
The high-school aged son wants to be just like his father but without he violence. He’s a “fixer:” negotiating with everyone, holding court to help his fellow students solve their problems, settling disputes and taking a cut of the action. He wants to become the “giver of ‘alternative’ justice that prevails once the law has failed. He had dropped the criminal side of Mafia behavior and had just retained their way of getting things done.”
The son wants nothing more to go back to New Jersey and establish himself in this role back in his home territory. At a neighborhood barbeque they sponsor, the son tells his mother: “That’s all they ever hear about. Steaming, boiled vegetables, grilled fish, fizzy water. We’re going to free them from guilt, Mom, we’re going to give them fat and sugar – that’s what they expect from us.”
An original story, a far-fetched plot, a bit of fun and saved by some good writing. As the blurbs say, “crime fiction that makes you chuckle.” You can figure out the title for yourself: maybe it should have been titled “The Godfather Comes to Gueron” LOL. The book has also been translated into English under the title “Badfellas” and it was made into a French movie under the English title “The Family.”
Photo of Bayeux in Normandy from wayfaringwithwagner.com
The American Mafia family from New Jersey is in France on the “witness protection” program. They are supposedly shadowed by two FBI men living across the street from the family’s home who monitor all the neighborhood telephone calls and all the comings and goings to protect the family from retribution by the mob.
The main character, a 50-ish ex-Mafia hit man, or, technically, to make him a bit more lovable, an “assistant hitman,” sung like a bird to the FBI, defying the Mafia code of silence and revealing all their secrets, resulting in life-long prison terms for those he worked with including his best friends and even family members. Naturally we are told he is the “number one most wanted man in the world.”
At the end of the novel, the Mafia finds out where the family is living and sends an elite hit squad to kill them. The story deteriorates into a Keystone Cops type plot as the main character and the FBI guys go through town killing the would-be assassins.
So, a fun read, but what saved the novel for me is the well-developed portrayal of the individual characters of the four members of the family.
The main character is unrepentant. He has found an old typewriter and spends his time banging out on two fingers his “memoirs.” “He was dipping his pen into the darkness of his soul -- And that ink would surely never run dry.” He ponders the semicolon: “How could a sentence both come to an end and carry on at the same time?”
His wife tries to make up for the guilt she feels about how her family made its living by turning to volunteer work and she “mothers” the two FBI guys across the street by bring them home-cooked Italian dishes. She tells her husband ”Well, believing in God, for me, was that light blanket [that she used in bed even when it was warm], and you’ve taken it away from me.”
The high-school aged daughter is portrayed as an angel. Beautiful, innocent, helpful to everyone.
The high-school aged son wants to be just like his father but without he violence. He’s a “fixer:” negotiating with everyone, holding court to help his fellow students solve their problems, settling disputes and taking a cut of the action. He wants to become the “giver of ‘alternative’ justice that prevails once the law has failed. He had dropped the criminal side of Mafia behavior and had just retained their way of getting things done.”
The son wants nothing more to go back to New Jersey and establish himself in this role back in his home territory. At a neighborhood barbeque they sponsor, the son tells his mother: “That’s all they ever hear about. Steaming, boiled vegetables, grilled fish, fizzy water. We’re going to free them from guilt, Mom, we’re going to give them fat and sugar – that’s what they expect from us.”
An original story, a far-fetched plot, a bit of fun and saved by some good writing. As the blurbs say, “crime fiction that makes you chuckle.” You can figure out the title for yourself: maybe it should have been titled “The Godfather Comes to Gueron” LOL. The book has also been translated into English under the title “Badfellas” and it was made into a French movie under the English title “The Family.”
Photo of Bayeux in Normandy from wayfaringwithwagner.com
February 13, 2014
An entertaining story about a former Mob family that relocates to a small town in France. (The Witness Protection Program is having problems keeping them safe in the US). It is a little disconcerting that Fred/Giovanni, a ruthless and brutal killer, somehow comes across as basically a good guy. This isn't Godfather-style idealization of the Mafia - the author spends some time talking about that - so what exactly is he doing? I wasn't completely sure he knew either. But I couldn't put it down, and there are some hilarious sequences.
Here's how it begins. The family has just arrived in the sleepy little French village. The next day, the kids have to start in school, while Maggie, the mother, goes out to do some shopping. Fred stays at home. So Maggie goes down to the local store, and can't find peanut butter anywhere. In the end, she gives up and asks. The owner tells her in his inimitable French way that there's not much call for it round here. Five minutes later, she hears two women in the next aisle chatting about that bloody American bitch looking for peanut butter, merde, who do these people think they are? Maggie, who prides herself on the efforts she's made to learn French language and culture, is hurt. She slips some cotton-wool and lighter fluid into her bag, and casually torches the store on the way out.
Delicious 17 year-old Belle is starting high school. Everyone thinks her name is ridiculous, but also very descriptive. A guy insists on driving her home, but takes a completely different route that ends up at the other side of town. He stops the car. They get out. She asks what the hell is going on. He looks stupidly at her, and tries out some unsubtle moves. She sighs, picks up a tennis racket from the back seat, and breaks his nose with it. Then, while he's rolling around in agony on the grass, she tells him sweetly that he'll have to improve his lines, or he'll never get anywhere with girls. She gets back into the car and drives home, leaving him there.
The younger kid, Wayne, is also starting school. At morning recess, the tough gang beat him up and take his lunch money. Wayne isn't fazed. He spends the rest of the day discretely chatting to his new classmates and gathering information. He's on the football team and is keen on her... her brother is failing math... her best friend is the other girl... she's always had a crush on him... she never fails to ace the math tests. Pretty soon, he has a complete jigsaw. Then it's just a question of setting up a few deals. At the end of the day, the tough gang are ambushed by three suitably incentivized members of the football team, who have to be restrained before they start breaking bones. Wayne tells the one-time tough guys he wants the money back by tomorrow, with 900% interest.
Mom, daughter and son arrive home simultaneously. Fred looks at them. He asks mechanically how their day's been. And they answer in chorus, "Fine!"
______________________________________
Update: I just discovered that this is also available in English translation, under the title Badfellas.
______________________________________
On the flight back to Switzerland yesterday, I watched the movie version with Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer and Tommy Lee Jones. They have taken a few liberties with the story, but I am pleased to say that the opening sequence was pretty much exactly as described here.
July 4, 2021
Obitelj Blake „iskrcana“ je u Normandiju u sklopu programa zaštite. FBI stalno prati obitelj koju sačinjavaju otac Fred, majka Maggie, te kći Belle i sin Warren. Dok oni pokušavaju biti normalna obitelj u novom predgrađu potrebne su individualne prilagodbe. Promijenili su već nekoliko svojih prebivališta nakon što je otac prije šest godina morao otići iz Amerike. Fred kao bivši šef njujorškog mafijaškog klana glumeći pisca pokušava se uklopiti u novi život kao i njegova supruga koja svoj život sada posvećuje volontiranju i pomaganju potrebitima u lokalnoj nevladinoj udruzi.
Cijeli osvrt pronađite ovdje: https://knjige-u-svom-filmu.webador.c...
Cijeli osvrt pronađite ovdje: https://knjige-u-svom-filmu.webador.c...
February 13, 2022
Жанр этого сочинения - довольно низкопробный мафиозный боевик. Это очень кинематографичное чтиво, динамичное, полное ритма, жестокости, суперталантливых, элегантно выглядящих убийц и крови. Нам пытаются заставить увидеть нечто человеческое в "раскаявшемся" главаре мафии. Его отпрыски Белль и Уоррен показаны с задатками суперменов, сразу завоевавшими популярность в школьной среде. Это люди с врожденными садистскими наклонностями, привыкшие решать все вопросы с позиции силы, и усилия вызвать к ним если не симпатии, то хотя бы сопереживание, не находят понимания. Фред не желает подчиняться запрету упоминать мафию и называет свою собаку Малавита. Это другое название мафии, что означает "дурная жизнь". Это демонстрация неподчинения, он просто залёг на дно. Удовлетворение садистских наклонностей "за дело"не является оправданием, как автор пытается представить. Конечно, есть и четко выявленные психологические моменты, например, сантехническое "ууу..." при взгляде на ржавые трубы в подвале, "нужно все менять, но у меня нет времени". Посеяно беспокойство, клиент брошен на произвол судьбы - наверное, это интернациональный феномен вымогательства. В целом, я против того, чтобы такая "литература", изображающая "раскаявшихся" мафиози жертвами преследований со стороны других мафиози без попыток избавиться от жестоких выходок по отношению к другим людям и силовым методам решений вопросов, распространялась. Это культ силы, культ неподчинения законам, культ превосходства садиста над обществом, которое ещё и за свои налоги содержит их в хороших условиях и обеспечивает их безопасность. О том, сколько это обходится налогоплательщикам, в романе умалчивается.
October 28, 2023
Рядко се случва, затова трябва да се отбележи - филмът с Робърт Де Ниро и Мишел Пфайфър е много по-хубав от книгата. ;)
Пада голяма веселба!
Пада голяма веселба!
July 15, 2010
Cholong-sur-Avre in Normandy is the setting of this rather unconventional and darkly humorous tale. The Blake family moves into an old Norman brick-and-stone villa during the middle of the night. They had already lived in France for six years, first in Paris, then on the Cote D'Azur in Cagnes-sur-Mer. There's Fred, the head of the clan, Maggie his wife, and two teenagers, Belle and Warren. Just your typical American family relocating to the French countryside, right? Wrong. Fred is actually Mafioso Giovanni Manzoni from New Jersey, and he and his family are in the witness protection program after he testifies against against another crime boss, Mimino. Along with them are a team of FBI men, assigned to them for protection against anyone wanting to claim the huge bounty put on Manzoni's head by Mimino. All of they have to do is lay low, pretend to be a normal family and get on with their lives. But for someone like Fred, or for the rest of the family for that matter, being normal in any sense of the word is impossible.
Benaquista's characters are well drawn. In this particular witness protection incarnation, Fred has decided to tout himself as an author writing about the landing at Normandy, while all the time writing his own memoirs about his life in organized crime. Fred is not a likable person at all and has no redeeming qualities, but he does have principles: he always takes responsibility for his actions, he wouldn't do anything different over his lifetime if he had it all to do again, and the word he hates most in the world is sorry. Maggie is busy with volunteer work, but hangs out with the FBI team to get the latest on her neighbors, who are under constant surveillance by the feds. Belle, the daughter, is one of those people who makes lemonade with the lemons life has handed her, and Warren has handled the witness protection situation by watching, learning and becoming the mini Godfather-figure of his school.
There are some truly funny moments in this book, especially the story of how a school magazine traveled from France to Thailand to Los Angeles to New York and started a particularly nasty chain of events. That whole little story within a story is laugh-out-loud funny. There's also a great scene where by mistake a local cinema club gets sent the Scorsese film Goodfellas instead of the scheduled program of Some Came Running, the story of a WWII veteran who returns home. However, As much as I liked this book, I did have a couple of niggling and minor issues with it. First, I kept waiting for the "crime fiction" part to begin, but it never materialized. I might have labeled it more of a "dark comedy" -- there's no central mystery plotline, very little crime and it's really more of a look at the lives and fortunes of this Witness-Protected family while in exile and at times the people guarding them. And this leads me to my second point: when a plumber meets up with an unfortunate incident at the Blake home, how is it that the FBI surveillance team overseeing the Blake family's every move knows nothing about it? And how is that Fred's nephew in the US is allowed to get a call from France when the family is virtually in lockdown? There are a couple of places like this where the storyline falters a bit, creating distractions that really annoyed me at times.
If you're looking for a typical crime fiction novel, I wouldn't start with this one, but the book is actually quite good overall -- more of a fun read than a serious crime read. It has been nominated for this year's International Dagger Award, and at the award's website, the judges have noted that "Crime fiction that makes you chuckle is rare and this is an exceptional example of the species." There's enough satire here to satisfy anyone's snarky and sardonic side, a bit of underworld darkness, and I would most definitely recommend it. And finally, as one cover blurb notes:
Benaquista's story explores what would happen if, say, the Soprano family were to move to Normandy...
and I'd say that's about hit the nail on the head.
Benaquista's characters are well drawn. In this particular witness protection incarnation, Fred has decided to tout himself as an author writing about the landing at Normandy, while all the time writing his own memoirs about his life in organized crime. Fred is not a likable person at all and has no redeeming qualities, but he does have principles: he always takes responsibility for his actions, he wouldn't do anything different over his lifetime if he had it all to do again, and the word he hates most in the world is sorry. Maggie is busy with volunteer work, but hangs out with the FBI team to get the latest on her neighbors, who are under constant surveillance by the feds. Belle, the daughter, is one of those people who makes lemonade with the lemons life has handed her, and Warren has handled the witness protection situation by watching, learning and becoming the mini Godfather-figure of his school.
There are some truly funny moments in this book, especially the story of how a school magazine traveled from France to Thailand to Los Angeles to New York and started a particularly nasty chain of events. That whole little story within a story is laugh-out-loud funny. There's also a great scene where by mistake a local cinema club gets sent the Scorsese film Goodfellas instead of the scheduled program of Some Came Running, the story of a WWII veteran who returns home. However, As much as I liked this book, I did have a couple of niggling and minor issues with it. First, I kept waiting for the "crime fiction" part to begin, but it never materialized. I might have labeled it more of a "dark comedy" -- there's no central mystery plotline, very little crime and it's really more of a look at the lives and fortunes of this Witness-Protected family while in exile and at times the people guarding them. And this leads me to my second point: when a plumber meets up with an unfortunate incident at the Blake home, how is it that the FBI surveillance team overseeing the Blake family's every move knows nothing about it? And how is that Fred's nephew in the US is allowed to get a call from France when the family is virtually in lockdown? There are a couple of places like this where the storyline falters a bit, creating distractions that really annoyed me at times.
If you're looking for a typical crime fiction novel, I wouldn't start with this one, but the book is actually quite good overall -- more of a fun read than a serious crime read. It has been nominated for this year's International Dagger Award, and at the award's website, the judges have noted that "Crime fiction that makes you chuckle is rare and this is an exceptional example of the species." There's enough satire here to satisfy anyone's snarky and sardonic side, a bit of underworld darkness, and I would most definitely recommend it. And finally, as one cover blurb notes:
Benaquista's story explores what would happen if, say, the Soprano family were to move to Normandy...
and I'd say that's about hit the nail on the head.
February 27, 2018
το απόλαυσα τόσο πολύ! με ιδιαίτερη αδυναμία στην περιγραφή του ταξιδιού της εφημερίδας ;)
February 25, 2023
For multiple reasons, I am biased toward the movie when it comes to this book (I saw it first, absolutely perfect casting, beautiful pacing, the women actually have something to do even if it's not as empowering as one would hope, etc., etc.), but I have to admit, I can see the charm that led to its popularity, and I enjoyed the deeper insight into the characters.
My main issues come from what I feel is a little confusion on the part of the author, and I promise it's not just to do with the film, though I do love how it made certain that family bond was palpably unbreakable no matter how circumstances distanced each member. The book doesn't have that at all, which I can see a case for (though it's aggravating not to have any sort of resolution to the internal conflicts); the book belabors the fact that these types of people are barbaric and not worthy of sympathy, and actual love between family members would wear away at that idea. On the other hand, the book does occasionally give us reason to admire, if not mobsters, then Fred, with glimpses of a better man beneath the monster. I could see delivering a mixed bag to show the complexity if it weren't for all the lines ensuring we know as an audience that this is not to be admired, but as it is, why not put those glimpses into the ties between the family as the movie executed so well?
My main issues come from what I feel is a little confusion on the part of the author, and I promise it's not just to do with the film, though I do love how it made certain that family bond was palpably unbreakable no matter how circumstances distanced each member. The book doesn't have that at all, which I can see a case for (though it's aggravating not to have any sort of resolution to the internal conflicts); the book belabors the fact that these types of people are barbaric and not worthy of sympathy, and actual love between family members would wear away at that idea. On the other hand, the book does occasionally give us reason to admire, if not mobsters, then Fred, with glimpses of a better man beneath the monster. I could see delivering a mixed bag to show the complexity if it weren't for all the lines ensuring we know as an audience that this is not to be admired, but as it is, why not put those glimpses into the ties between the family as the movie executed so well?
October 4, 2018
This piece of Benacquista noir succeeds so well due to him getting that balance of black humour and vicious crime so right.
Giovanni Manzoni, a high ranking member of the New Jersey Mafia, who has turned state's evidence against several key Mafia figures to avoid jail, is in witness protection, and along with his family, he moves to a small Normandy village with his new identity.
The character of Manzoni is a wonderful creation. After all of his time in the limelight he has a huge ego and cannot settle in to a quiet life. For much of the story he is very much a villain, but one of Benacquista’s great skills is for him to get the reader’s support as the novel races to its climax. The other members of his family are similarly well-described and play great supporting roles.
Of course, it’s far from realistic, but it is splendid entertainment.
Giovanni Manzoni, a high ranking member of the New Jersey Mafia, who has turned state's evidence against several key Mafia figures to avoid jail, is in witness protection, and along with his family, he moves to a small Normandy village with his new identity.
The character of Manzoni is a wonderful creation. After all of his time in the limelight he has a huge ego and cannot settle in to a quiet life. For much of the story he is very much a villain, but one of Benacquista’s great skills is for him to get the reader’s support as the novel races to its climax. The other members of his family are similarly well-described and play great supporting roles.
Of course, it’s far from realistic, but it is splendid entertainment.
March 26, 2023
really good book, its a cross between godfather and scarface, loved the characters and the moms and daughter and mean ass bitches, love it. easy read.
September 22, 2018
Minu arvamuse leiab blogist https://triinuraamatud.wordpress.com/...
March 7, 2014
"Ils prirent possession de la maison au milieu de la nuit."
Best opening line EVER.
In fact, the entire first chapter was one of the best openings I've read.
This is a very fun read, very well written (even the 'illiterate' characters had a strong vocabulary) and I had to reach for my French dictionary every three pages or so. It's not nearly as violent as the film, which I didn't enjoy quite as much, and the ending is much better than depicted in the film.
As an expat living in France, I laughed at many of the anecdote. Especially because the Manzonis are Americans of European descent- they know what good food is and how to entertain a party. I identified myself in their situations many, many times (including getting picked on, and the idolized). It all happened.
The only problem I had with the story was the nostalgy. After so much time living in another land, you adapt. You get flexible and adapt to pretty much any culture in whichever city- especially if you need survival skills, like the Mafia does. The longing for something you can't have fades away, especially if you have your entire family with you. There was a little too much sentimentality and not as much rationality as I imagine the Mafia to have.
But I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the little tidbits from other people's lives that popped in here and there. It made the story sound much more real.
I recommend the book to all those that love a well-written work, those who want to learn good French, expats in France that want a laugh, and in general, everyone who loves a good Mafia book that doesn't pull the heartstrings too much.
Best opening line EVER.
In fact, the entire first chapter was one of the best openings I've read.
This is a very fun read, very well written (even the 'illiterate' characters had a strong vocabulary) and I had to reach for my French dictionary every three pages or so. It's not nearly as violent as the film, which I didn't enjoy quite as much, and the ending is much better than depicted in the film.
As an expat living in France, I laughed at many of the anecdote. Especially because the Manzonis are Americans of European descent- they know what good food is and how to entertain a party. I identified myself in their situations many, many times (including getting picked on, and the idolized). It all happened.
The only problem I had with the story was the nostalgy. After so much time living in another land, you adapt. You get flexible and adapt to pretty much any culture in whichever city- especially if you need survival skills, like the Mafia does. The longing for something you can't have fades away, especially if you have your entire family with you. There was a little too much sentimentality and not as much rationality as I imagine the Mafia to have.
But I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the little tidbits from other people's lives that popped in here and there. It made the story sound much more real.
I recommend the book to all those that love a well-written work, those who want to learn good French, expats in France that want a laugh, and in general, everyone who loves a good Mafia book that doesn't pull the heartstrings too much.
March 3, 2014
Die Charaktere sind schräg und konnten mich schon nach kürzester Zeit für sich begeistern. Natürlich hatte ich beim Lesen den Filmcast mit Robert de Niro und Michelle Pfeiffer im Kopf, obwohl ich den Film bislang nicht gesehen habe und das verdoppelte das Lesevergnügen noch einmal. Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm und mit einem Mafiosi als Vater sind Frau und Kinder durchaus mit Vorsicht zu genießen. Interessant wie Sohn Warren in kürzester Zeit zum Mini-Mafiosi mutiert und die gesamte Schülerschar fest im Griff hat.
Erfreut haben mich immer wieder die amüsanten Wendungen und unvorhersehbaren Entwicklungen und Handlungen der Familie Manzoni. Es kommt beim Lesen keine Langeweile auf und das Tempo ist angenehm. Der Autor hat eine gute Menschenkenntnis und versteht es mit Humor, die Charaktere seines Buches, dem Leser näher zu bringen.
Die Handlungen, wenn auch etwas krass, waren immer nachvollziehbar, aber hier geht es nicht um den Streit der Gartenzwerge, sondern darum seine Identität, trotz allen zu wahren und zu überleben. Was bei einem ausgesetzten Kopfgeld von 20 Millionen Dollar mehr als unsicher ist.
Als nicht Mafia-Experte habe ich das Buch in vollen Zügen genießen können.
Positiv:
- Überzeugende Charaktere
- Amüsante Momente
- Interessante Wendungen
- Flotter Schreibstil
Neutral
- ---
Negativ
- ---
Fazit:
Ich kann das Buch allen Lesern empfehlen, die Freude an schwarzem Humor und einer spannenden Geschichte haben.
Erfreut haben mich immer wieder die amüsanten Wendungen und unvorhersehbaren Entwicklungen und Handlungen der Familie Manzoni. Es kommt beim Lesen keine Langeweile auf und das Tempo ist angenehm. Der Autor hat eine gute Menschenkenntnis und versteht es mit Humor, die Charaktere seines Buches, dem Leser näher zu bringen.
Die Handlungen, wenn auch etwas krass, waren immer nachvollziehbar, aber hier geht es nicht um den Streit der Gartenzwerge, sondern darum seine Identität, trotz allen zu wahren und zu überleben. Was bei einem ausgesetzten Kopfgeld von 20 Millionen Dollar mehr als unsicher ist.
Als nicht Mafia-Experte habe ich das Buch in vollen Zügen genießen können.
Positiv:
- Überzeugende Charaktere
- Amüsante Momente
- Interessante Wendungen
- Flotter Schreibstil
Neutral
- ---
Negativ
- ---
Fazit:
Ich kann das Buch allen Lesern empfehlen, die Freude an schwarzem Humor und einer spannenden Geschichte haben.
January 10, 2014
Giovanni Manzoni is a New Jersey mob boss turned stool pigeon for the FBI. His testimony has been responsible for sending dozens of wise guys to jail, including the capo di tutti capos, Don Mimino, so naturally, there is a price on his head. It soon becomes apparent that he cannot safely live under the witness protection program in the United States, so his FBI handlers move him to France where we find him living in a small town in Normandy under the name of Fred Blake when the story opens.
Fred is bored and turns to writing his memoirs with hilarious results. His wife is trying to find a place of meaning in the small community and the children are navigating the social structure at the local lycee.
Meanwhile the FBI handlers are camped out across the street keeping an eye on all the neighbors and trying to keep Fred and his family alive.
This is harder to do than one would think, and when, through a bizarre chain of events, Don Mimino figures out where they are living, it sets off a chain of events that leads to Mafia mayhem at its finest.
This book is a quick, fun read on the order of Carl Hiassim and has been made into a movie called "The Family" starring Robert DeNiro (ho else now that Jame Gandofini is dead?).
Fred is bored and turns to writing his memoirs with hilarious results. His wife is trying to find a place of meaning in the small community and the children are navigating the social structure at the local lycee.
Meanwhile the FBI handlers are camped out across the street keeping an eye on all the neighbors and trying to keep Fred and his family alive.
This is harder to do than one would think, and when, through a bizarre chain of events, Don Mimino figures out where they are living, it sets off a chain of events that leads to Mafia mayhem at its finest.
This book is a quick, fun read on the order of Carl Hiassim and has been made into a movie called "The Family" starring Robert DeNiro (ho else now that Jame Gandofini is dead?).
September 8, 2013
Imagine The Sopranos transplanted to the French countryside….
This thrillingly comic, internationally bestselling Mafia farce is the inspiration for the major motion picture The Family starring Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Tommy Lee Jones, and produced by Martin Scorsese.
The Blakes are newcomers to a small town in Normandy. Fred is a historian researching the Allied landings, Maggie enjoys charity work, and their kids are looking forward to meeting other teenagers at the local lycée. Or so it seems.
In fact, Fred is really Giovanni Manzoni, an ex-goodfella turned stool pigeon who’s been relocated from New Jersey to France by the FBI’s witness protection program. He’s got a two-million-dollar bounty on his head, but he and his family can’t help attracting attention (imagine the Sopranos in Normandy). And when imprisoned mobster Don Mimino gets wind of their location, it’s Mafia mayhem à la Josh Bazell’s Beat the Reaper, or like The Godfather as if written by Carl Hiaasen. Because while you can take the man out of the Mafia, you can’t take the Mafia out of the man.
Funny, fast read and very amusing.
This thrillingly comic, internationally bestselling Mafia farce is the inspiration for the major motion picture The Family starring Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Tommy Lee Jones, and produced by Martin Scorsese.
The Blakes are newcomers to a small town in Normandy. Fred is a historian researching the Allied landings, Maggie enjoys charity work, and their kids are looking forward to meeting other teenagers at the local lycée. Or so it seems.
In fact, Fred is really Giovanni Manzoni, an ex-goodfella turned stool pigeon who’s been relocated from New Jersey to France by the FBI’s witness protection program. He’s got a two-million-dollar bounty on his head, but he and his family can’t help attracting attention (imagine the Sopranos in Normandy). And when imprisoned mobster Don Mimino gets wind of their location, it’s Mafia mayhem à la Josh Bazell’s Beat the Reaper, or like The Godfather as if written by Carl Hiaasen. Because while you can take the man out of the Mafia, you can’t take the Mafia out of the man.
Funny, fast read and very amusing.
September 23, 2013
I had heard that Malavita was a French comedy about an American mob family. Perhaps it was the fact that the story was translated, or perhaps because I am not French and so do not have the same humor expectations, but I did not think the story was funny at all. Unrealistic, stereotyped characterizations, and exaggerated situations, but not funny.
This story was not as fine combed as I would have liked. There were several instances that I felt kept the story from moving forward. One of these pointless parts was when Giovanni/Fred’s nephew comes to visit. Ben really serves no purpose in the story. His arrival causes some irritation, but other than that, there is no reason or relation to the rest of the story.
I give this book a two out of five. While I definitely did not hate the book, I did not like it either. I often found myself skimming because I couldn’t take the unnecessary parts any more. I would, however, recommend reading it if you want to see the movie. They only changed a few details in the movie, and I think it accompanies the book very well.
Read more reviews at: http://readbookwormread.blogspot.com
This story was not as fine combed as I would have liked. There were several instances that I felt kept the story from moving forward. One of these pointless parts was when Giovanni/Fred’s nephew comes to visit. Ben really serves no purpose in the story. His arrival causes some irritation, but other than that, there is no reason or relation to the rest of the story.
I give this book a two out of five. While I definitely did not hate the book, I did not like it either. I often found myself skimming because I couldn’t take the unnecessary parts any more. I would, however, recommend reading it if you want to see the movie. They only changed a few details in the movie, and I think it accompanies the book very well.
Read more reviews at: http://readbookwormread.blogspot.com
November 12, 2013
I saw the film. I enjoyed it so much I had to buy the book
Both film and book are quite off beat. You will see and read something rather different from the normal stuff. Not that I'm running down the 'normal stuff', much of it can be pretty good, to both see or read.
The film tends to be a bit Americanised, let's face it the Americans made it so how can it be otherwise. But the story is still quite unusual and all the more pleasurable for it, especially as it's made in France with a lot of French direction.
The book is obviously 'made' in France, so although translated into English (exceedingly ably) it's really quite refreshing.
Both film and book is black comedy. There are aspects that are really fun to both watch and read. However the way the denouement is handled by the two genre is quite different. If you happen to read the book first you will come to realise why the last third of the film is made differently; it has to be, there is too much detail in the book. On the other hand if you see the film first, be prepared for quite a bit of extra detail in the book for a slightly different though equally enjoyable story line.
Both are highly recommended.
Both film and book are quite off beat. You will see and read something rather different from the normal stuff. Not that I'm running down the 'normal stuff', much of it can be pretty good, to both see or read.
The film tends to be a bit Americanised, let's face it the Americans made it so how can it be otherwise. But the story is still quite unusual and all the more pleasurable for it, especially as it's made in France with a lot of French direction.
The book is obviously 'made' in France, so although translated into English (exceedingly ably) it's really quite refreshing.
Both film and book is black comedy. There are aspects that are really fun to both watch and read. However the way the denouement is handled by the two genre is quite different. If you happen to read the book first you will come to realise why the last third of the film is made differently; it has to be, there is too much detail in the book. On the other hand if you see the film first, be prepared for quite a bit of extra detail in the book for a slightly different though equally enjoyable story line.
Both are highly recommended.
December 18, 2013
Estreou o filme há pouco tempo e o póster chamou-me a atenção (pelos actores que gosto bastante), no entanto não quis ver trailer nenhum, não me quis informar mais.
Vi o poster, achei graça, ficou-me na memória saber que era baseado num livro.
Dias depois surge um passatempo no facebook acerca do livro em que tinha que se escrever uma frase, lá vou eu tentar a minha sorte e. . . pimbas. Ganhei. Assim que o recebi meti mãos à obra e toca de lê-lo para ver ainda o filme.
Ainda não vi o filme, o livro, está engraçado e não é nada mais do que aquilo que promete, ou seja, uma família disfuncional e ligada à máfia, com todos os problemas inerentes que pertencer à Máfia acarreta.
Gostam de filmes sobre a Máfia? Pois neste livro encontram todos os ingredientes. Perseguições, mortes brutais e. . . claro, a vendetta.
A família é muito engraçada de se conhecer e tem alguns momentos humorísticos.
Ninguém bate bem da tola, é engraçado de se ler por isso mesmo.
O título, é bem adequado à história, mas só se percebe o porquê mesmo mesmo no fim. . . Malavita é a cadela da família. . .
Quem gosta deste género, não pode deixar de ler.
Vi o poster, achei graça, ficou-me na memória saber que era baseado num livro.
Dias depois surge um passatempo no facebook acerca do livro em que tinha que se escrever uma frase, lá vou eu tentar a minha sorte e. . . pimbas. Ganhei. Assim que o recebi meti mãos à obra e toca de lê-lo para ver ainda o filme.
Ainda não vi o filme, o livro, está engraçado e não é nada mais do que aquilo que promete, ou seja, uma família disfuncional e ligada à máfia, com todos os problemas inerentes que pertencer à Máfia acarreta.
Gostam de filmes sobre a Máfia? Pois neste livro encontram todos os ingredientes. Perseguições, mortes brutais e. . . claro, a vendetta.
A família é muito engraçada de se conhecer e tem alguns momentos humorísticos.
Ninguém bate bem da tola, é engraçado de se ler por isso mesmo.
O título, é bem adequado à história, mas só se percebe o porquê mesmo mesmo no fim. . . Malavita é a cadela da família. . .
Quem gosta deste género, não pode deixar de ler.
February 18, 2017
Since I can remember, I've always been interested in the mafia, and I have no idea why ^^
I liked the way the story is told, it made me feel like I was "living" the story, like I was part of it, so I can easily say it was an interesting reading experience.
I loved the Blakes, the way they react to normality is first. funny ; second. so unexpected you can't know for sure what they're gonna do before they actually do it.
I really really want to read the sequel now.
4.25
I liked the way the story is told, it made me feel like I was "living" the story, like I was part of it, so I can easily say it was an interesting reading experience.
I loved the Blakes, the way they react to normality is first. funny ; second. so unexpected you can't know for sure what they're gonna do before they actually do it.
I really really want to read the sequel now.
4.25
June 18, 2022
O carte luata cu câțiva lei dintr-o benzinarie, într-o vacanța. Nu știam la ce sa ma aștept dar m-a surprins plăcut!
December 6, 2019
this is the only book i consciously purchased the movie tie-in for because it has Dianna Agron on it. don't judge me. the things I do for a pretty face.
ANYWAY it has been a long time since I finished reading with my own damn eyes a thing with an ISBN. feels good, sort of.
as mentioned, I bought this specific edition for Dianna and for that reason I was in the lookout for Belle, her character, scenes. maybe it's unfair of me to rate it based on my gay ass feelings but listen. her character was a Mess, bro. it made me feel so bad (and the movie's not any better Oh Lord). what i'm trying to say is that the author didn't seem to know what to do with her character other than as a mascot of a sort. created for the male gaze. scenes where what it's essentially telling me is that Belle, beautiful as she is, should be erased from this world because beauty un-looked at is beauty wasted, and therefore, does not matter if it dies or not.
the bit about her getting into Hollywood at the end helped matters NONE.
but yeah. i am 100% aware that the book was not meant to revolve around Belle at all. but still.
look out for my fix-it fic, where they move to Lima, Ohio and Belle Blake meets one cutie pie, Rachel Berry. Just kidding.
ANYWAY it has been a long time since I finished reading with my own damn eyes a thing with an ISBN. feels good, sort of.
as mentioned, I bought this specific edition for Dianna and for that reason I was in the lookout for Belle, her character, scenes. maybe it's unfair of me to rate it based on my gay ass feelings but listen. her character was a Mess, bro. it made me feel so bad (and the movie's not any better Oh Lord). what i'm trying to say is that the author didn't seem to know what to do with her character other than as a mascot of a sort. created for the male gaze. scenes where what it's essentially telling me is that Belle, beautiful as she is, should be erased from this world because beauty un-looked at is beauty wasted, and therefore, does not matter if it dies or not.
the bit about her getting into Hollywood at the end helped matters NONE.
but yeah. i am 100% aware that the book was not meant to revolve around Belle at all. but still.
look out for my fix-it fic, where they move to Lima, Ohio and Belle Blake meets one cutie pie, Rachel Berry. Just kidding.
December 3, 2018
J'avais gardé un bon souvenir de Malavita, qui se lit très facilement et ne soulève pas de grosses questions existentielles. Un bon divertissement hivernal.
November 1, 2020
It wasn’t that great of a book. I kept hoping the ending was soon. I didn’t care about this family or feel bad about it’s predicament.
April 29, 2023
this felt like reading a movie
do you get it
do you get it
September 19, 2024
Der Untertitel "Eine Mafiakmödie" stimmt für mich nur zur Hälte. Den Humor, der bei einer Komödie essentiell ist, habe ich nicht gefunden und dann bleibt nur der Teil mit der Mafia über.
Das ist schon mal nichts für mich und dann habe mit den Protagonist:innen, v.a. den Mitgliedern der Familie Blake, kaum etwas anfangen können.
Gefallen hat mir die Stimme des Vorlesers.
Das ist schon mal nichts für mich und dann habe mit den Protagonist:innen, v.a. den Mitgliedern der Familie Blake, kaum etwas anfangen können.
Gefallen hat mir die Stimme des Vorlesers.
February 28, 2018
une lecture sympathique mais qui ne m a pas non plus emportée. il y a des passages drôles avec le contraste entre cette famille de mafieux repentis et ce tout petit village normand. Mais cela ne m'a pas suffi...
October 31, 2018
It is an interesting book with an inside look at mafia and witness protection programme. I think it deserves a 3.5 to be honest. I wanted to like Fred, but ultimately I didn't and that was probably the authors intention. Whats there to like about a guy whose life was to kill and gain power. Its an easy read and a good one when on holiday. It had a lot more potential but didn't quite live it out for me.
May 13, 2020
3,5/5
November 3, 2019
Che piacevole sorpresa! L'ho trovato originale, divertente, intelligente. Una menzione speciale al capitolo 5 che è geniale!
Un esempio del Giovanni Manzoni pensiero: "la vita delle persone, delle persone reali di tutti i giorni, è qualcosa al di sopra delle mie forze. Un mistero, per me, la vita quotidiana delle persone comuni: cosa succede nelle loro teste e nei loro cuori? Come possono avere fiducia in questo mondo cui sono costretti a obbedire? Come fanno le persone oneste? Come possono vivere sentendosi così vulnerabili? Che effetto fa essere una vittima? Vittima del proprio vicino, del mondo che corre o della ragion di Stato? Come accettare una simile idea, farsene una ragione per il resto dei propri giorni? Come fanno gli onesti, una volta capito che si battono contro i mulini a vento? Che non hanno alcuna possibilità di smuovere le montagne?
Non sei affatto protetto, piccolo uomo. Lo credi, ma ti sbagli. Non ti ha mai detto nessuno che sei soltanto una pagliuzza in balia di gentaglia come me? E siamo in tanti a voler nuocerti, anche persone molto perbene, dal lato buono della barricata, ma per le quali tu non rappresenti niente, se non un mancato profitto. Mi fai pena, sinceramente. Prima, non avevo idea del tuo calvario. Non sospettavo la quantità di miserie che ti fanno patire. Eppure, Dio solo sa quanto è grande la tua buona volontà: ti ho visto. Continui ad avere fiducia nell’umanità, cerchi di sistemare le cose, di fare il possibile. E i tuoi sforzi saranno vanificati da tutti coloro che se ne fottono, della tua fiducia nell’umanità. E se per caso ti metti a piangere, chi mai ti darà ascolto? Chi si farà cattivo sangue per te e per la tua famigliola? Ti sentirai dire che tutti hanno i loro guai, e peggiori dei tuoi. Così, incassi la testa nelle spalle e tiri avanti, da brav’uomo, perché sei un soldatino e bisogna resistere. Fino alla prossima volta.
Ci ho provato anch’io. Niente. Mai avuto quel coraggio"
Un esempio del Giovanni Manzoni pensiero: "la vita delle persone, delle persone reali di tutti i giorni, è qualcosa al di sopra delle mie forze. Un mistero, per me, la vita quotidiana delle persone comuni: cosa succede nelle loro teste e nei loro cuori? Come possono avere fiducia in questo mondo cui sono costretti a obbedire? Come fanno le persone oneste? Come possono vivere sentendosi così vulnerabili? Che effetto fa essere una vittima? Vittima del proprio vicino, del mondo che corre o della ragion di Stato? Come accettare una simile idea, farsene una ragione per il resto dei propri giorni? Come fanno gli onesti, una volta capito che si battono contro i mulini a vento? Che non hanno alcuna possibilità di smuovere le montagne?
Non sei affatto protetto, piccolo uomo. Lo credi, ma ti sbagli. Non ti ha mai detto nessuno che sei soltanto una pagliuzza in balia di gentaglia come me? E siamo in tanti a voler nuocerti, anche persone molto perbene, dal lato buono della barricata, ma per le quali tu non rappresenti niente, se non un mancato profitto. Mi fai pena, sinceramente. Prima, non avevo idea del tuo calvario. Non sospettavo la quantità di miserie che ti fanno patire. Eppure, Dio solo sa quanto è grande la tua buona volontà: ti ho visto. Continui ad avere fiducia nell’umanità, cerchi di sistemare le cose, di fare il possibile. E i tuoi sforzi saranno vanificati da tutti coloro che se ne fottono, della tua fiducia nell’umanità. E se per caso ti metti a piangere, chi mai ti darà ascolto? Chi si farà cattivo sangue per te e per la tua famigliola? Ti sentirai dire che tutti hanno i loro guai, e peggiori dei tuoi. Così, incassi la testa nelle spalle e tiri avanti, da brav’uomo, perché sei un soldatino e bisogna resistere. Fino alla prossima volta.
Ci ho provato anch’io. Niente. Mai avuto quel coraggio"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews