The Family : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Thank you, other reviewer
Review: for pointing out that this is an historical NOVEL, not a biography. And in that context, it's an excellent read. Not The Godfather, of course, but then, what is? If you like Puzo, you'll like this. Worth the bucks for sure.
And if it gets you interested enough to read a biography of the Borgias, there are lots of 'em out there

Rating:
Summary: * * * * * !
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book from beginning to end in every way. This book tells the story of the powerful Borgia family, some believe this was the first mafia family in history. I loved the characters especially the fierce, courageous Cesare, the powerful and honorable Pope Alexander and the lovely, innocent Lucrezia.
This is a must read for any Mario Puzo, and lovers of good literature. The book deals with everything from treachery, to loyalty, to true honor, 15th century wars, etc. Not a book for the religious extremists as this book makes no effort to hide the true facade of the church at that point in time.
The book was an easy read and if you're the type of person who prefers straight-to-the point- books instead of long descriptive page after page type of book, then this book is a good read. Overall I give "The Family" 5 stars for being entertaining, hard-to-put-down, concise, and at the same time narrative without overdoing it.

Rating:
Summary: The original "family"
Review: Though choppy, this fictionalized tale of the Borgias was a quick, satisfying read. Puzo transports the reader to Italy at the time Columbus discovers the New World, to a world where popes have children and mistresses, the cardinal's hat is bought and bartered, sons and daughters are political pawns to be married for gain or connection, the Church is rich, rich, rich and oh so corrupt. Better than any modern soap opera, I understand why Puzo refers to the Borgias as "the first Family." More powerful than any don, Rodrigo Borgia becomes Pope and uses his children to gain alliances and riches. Despite their father's teaching that the family always comes first, the Borgia children have their own alliances and enemies within the family, further adding to the intrigue of the already politically trecherous Rome in the late 1400's. Puzo's focus is on the family--he writes about each Borgia in their turn--but he also does a wonderful job of supplying the historical context of treaties and wars(The map at the beginning of the book doesn't hurt!).
Lucrezia fairs better in this novel than in history, becoming an almost likable character. I enjoyed the richness of this historical novel.