Before The Godfather and The Last Don, Mario Puzo wrote The Fortunate Pilgrim, a novel many believe to be one of the classics of Italian-American fiction. In this special edition, Mario Puzo's legions of fans will discover a different side of this legendary author, writing for the first time about an Italian family in which a woman holds the power.Lucia Santa has traveled 3,000 miles of dark ocean, from the mountain farms of Italy to the streets of New York, hoping for a better life. Instead, she finds herself in Hell's Kitchen, in a bad marriage, raising six children on her own. As Lucia struggles to hold her family together, her daughter confronts the adult world of work and romance while her eldest son is drawn into the Mafia. Meanwhile, her youngest son aspires to American pursuits she cannot understand.
Download and start listening now!
"What a treasure to find! It's Puzo's voice in a new environment. I loved these characters, so believable. You feel like you live in the family. His details are so rich he can really paint a world, oily pastas sauce smells and the clatter of family and dishes in a tiny apartment, you fall into it. I liked seeing their struggle and success. Plus it was interesting to see NYC before it was cleaned up." — Michelle (4 out of 5 stars)
"What a treasure to find! It's Puzo's voice in a new environment. I loved these characters, so believable. You feel like you live in the family. His details are so rich he can really paint a world, oily pastas sauce smells and the clatter of family and dishes in a tiny apartment, you fall into it. I liked seeing their struggle and success. Plus it was interesting to see NYC before it was cleaned up."
" Not so much into the Godfather books, but The Fortunate Pilgrim was a great read. "
" ...you can take the kid out of He!!s Kitchen, but you can't take the He!!s Kitchen out of the kid... "
" Another one of those books I can remember reading during the 70's. I can't remember much about it but I do remember liking it enough to read it more than once. "
" I am currently reading this. I writing is descriptive and concise at times. This book may become one of my all time favorites. "
" Moved a little slow, had a hard time getting through it. "
" Mario Puzo's best book! It may not be his most famous or popular, but it is his best. "
" His first book not very good "
" This book blows away all of his others! No sex, no violence, just a good character-driven story about an Italian immigrant family. This is writing as it should be. I will definitely add a copy to my library! "
" Insight into early Italian immigrant community. Personal and messy, but lays the groundwork understanding for "the family". "
" Liked the recently added author's note in which Puzo admits he set out to write autobiographical fiction with himself as hero, but only later realized his sister is much more courageous than he and his mother is the true hero of the novel. "
" This is supposedly one of his best novels but it pales in comparison to the Godfather. I was very disappointed in this book. "
" One of the best books I've read (audio-book may have helped as the reader had a GREAT voice for this book!) "
" It's amazing how much Puzo lifted from himself in this for the Godfather. Great book I really enjoyed it. "
" Very different from others Puzo's books I had read. But I liked it very much. It was nice to read about italians in USA and the lifestyle of 50's and 60's. I recommend this for all who are interested past lifestyle and italians. "
" Great story of an immigrant family in the depression era. "
" Kinda like a prequel but not really. It's alright. "
" Informative, entertaining and realistic writing. "
" Not what I expected from the author of the Godfather and other mafia books. "
" Mario Puzo considers it his best novel. It brought the time and mentality of the characters to life. "
" If you like Angela's Ashes you will like this similar Italian version. Both are sad stories, but the characters and plot are well developed. "
Mario Puzo (1920–1999) was born in “Hell’s Kitchen” on Manhattan’s West Side, New York City. Following military service in World War II, he attended New York’s New School for Social Research and Columbia University. In addition to his best-known novel, The Godfather, and other books, he wrote several screenplays including Superman and all three Godfather movies, for which he received two Academy Awards.
John Kenneth is an audiobook narrator whose readings include books by Mario Puzo, Loren D. Estleman, and Stephen Coonts, among others.
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.