They are all very flawed but still likeable. The characters were strong and memorable. From a technical standpoint, I thought he did a little too much summary narrative and could have dug into his scenes a little better. He has an easy going narrative style that makes for enjoyable reading. This is a bit of a departure from some of Puzo’s Mafia fiction, taking place during the Italian Renaissance. Things eventually start to unravel as the Pope makes many enemies including within his own family. Meanwhile his only daughter Lucrezia has a torrid incestuous romance with her brother Cesare. His son Juan is set up to lead the papal armies and take over lands. He marries off his other children to influential families in order to solidify his power base. He sets up his oldest son Cesare as a cardinal with the thought of him taking over as Pope. Alexander had children and lovers and a taste for all worldly goods. Pope Alexander’s reign as Pope had little to do with religion and had everything to do with amassing power for him and his family. It starts with the coronation of Rodrigo Borgia as Pope Alexander in 1492. Completed after his death, Puzo tells the story of the Borgias, what he considered to be the first Mafia family. The Family is a fitting ending to a terrific writing career.
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