The Fortunate Pilgrim: A Novel

“The Fortunate Pilgrim” is a very well written work of serious mature fiction authored by Mario Puzo. It is principally about an Italian American lady who comes to America, without her family, as a young lady and struggles to transition to the American way of life. She lives in a largely Italian American neighborhood in New York City in the first half of the twentieth century. It is excellent but not a light reading experience. I don’t think it was a commercial success when first published.This is a standalone novel and was authored before “The Godfather”. Having previously read The Godfather, I can vaguely sense the literary trail from this novel to The Godfather. I am glad that I read both. This is a slower less entertaining novel than The Godfather. But it is deep, thoughtful, and mature. The characters are entirely different.I have now read Mario Puzo’s first three novels. The first is “The Dark Arena”. I liked the novel, but it is my least favorite of the three and if I was to skip one, that would be the one. I liked the next two approximately equally but they are very different. This novel is more mature and deep, The Godfather more entertaining. As I stated above, for my purposes I am very glad I read both. If I only wanted to be entertained I would probably pick The Godfather.In summary I really like this novel. It is not light and at times it moved slowly. I often had to pay close attention. I have become a fan of Mario Puzo and plan on reading more of his novels in the not too distant future. Thank you for taking the time to read this review.

Puzo is a great writer, however, paying $8.99 for this "tiny" paperback with "tiny" print (originally published in the 60s) is a bit much.

Book was in terrific condition. Delivered on time. thanks

I discovered this book at the Tenement Museum in New York. I was mentioned as a great story about the Italian immigrant experience in the first part of the twentieth century. It definitely lived up to that promise.It’s a story with a dominant matriarch who carries her family forward in the face of challenges and even tragedy. And of the next generation trying to get ahead and out of the Italian ghetto.Although the mafia is barely present in this tale, Puzo said that the matriarch shared many of the qualities that made Vito Correleone a powerful character.Highly recommended

This book was one of Puzo's first books. He states that it also was his favorite. It tells the story of an Italian immigrant family living in 1920's New York's Hell's Kitchen. The story is relatable and I see much of my mom and grandmother in Puzo's writing style. I think he draws inspiration from his mother and family in a way as Puzo also grew up in an Italian family with a similar mom who was an immigrant and strong and who grew up in Hell's Kitchen about the same time period. The way Puzo writes in this book is so much different than his other novels. He writes in a specific artistic style but the way he brings this family to life becomes more engaging as pages are turned. I didn't know if I would like this book when I first started reading it but by the time I was a quarter of the way in to it, I had become invested and engaged. By the time I was done reading, I can honestly say I was happy I had the opportunity to read it and would recommend the book to anyone who grew up with an Italian-Sicilian family.

Mario Puzo considered The Fortunate Pilgrim to be his best work. Once you read this book, I have no doubt in my mind that you will agree with him, 100%. The Fortunate Pilgrim chronicles the life of a Sicilian immigrant, and her family. It touches upon the dynamics of family, and how families and the relationships within them evolve over time. Throughout the book, you can see a mafia-like dynamic in how the mother operates her family. She disassociates emotion, many times, from her decisions in order to do what - in her mind - will best strengthen the family's chance for survival.The Fortunate Pilgrim touches on everything from death and how to deal with it, to children growing older, to mental illness and its effects on families. It does all of this while maintaining a very good storyline, and staying incredibly readable. I have just one problem with this book - which is why I rate it four stars instead of five. In the first half of the book, time moves fairly slowly and you can tell how much time has passed easily - this I like. However, in the second half of the book, time moves randomly forward and it is often difficult to determine how much time has passed since the last chapter. Overall, it is an incredible shame that this book does not have the same level of fame as the Godfather - I suppose that is the curse of any book that isn't quite movie-style...

This magnificent novel continues to unfold as each page discloses another dramatic episode in the story of a large Italian immigrant family struggling to make its way in New York's west side in the 1930s and 1940s. I can't claim to remember all the twists and turns, or even all the characters, but for me that didn't matter, as the portrait somehow remained clear even as details quickly passed by. This was Puzo's first novel, before The Godfather, and it is IMO a spectacular read.

This book [my fourth copy] evokes the grinding hardship of immigrants from their homeland in Southern Italy to a bewildering world where Lucia Santa stands against a system that would destroy many modern-day women should they be left widowed with children to protect and provide for in an alien world. It also reminds me of the harsh realities of my own people, the Irish, who faced the same assault on their culture as new immigrants to the US, but like the Italians, they too persevere and become first citizens of their new country. None of this was easy for either group as they did not have the cozy ease that is offered to new arrivals when their feet touch American soil today,The relationship between Lucia Santa and her children is a complex one, made more so when she marries her second husband and adds several new offspring to the mix. Her daughter is the rock she leans on and they seem more like comrades in arms in arms than anything else, but the dialogue that flows between them is mostly hilarious and earthy. Lucia Santa is relentless as a devious, conniving mother who rules the roost with a wooden Pasta Pin. This woman must be this way as she battles for her daily crust, and neither welfare man or sly neighbors deter her from her mission, which is to get her family through life with as little bruising as possible. The brutality of her existence is fully uncovered as one disaster follows another and you see her not go down in hysterics and run to councilling, but dust herself off and figure out how to overcome the problem. My kind of woman.Today, I live in a hilltop town in Southern Italy and I see clearly how and why those young men and women left all those years ago. The Padrone is long gone, but it is still the 'Mezzogiorno' to those in the North who pour the same contempt on these tough but delightful Southerners. Lucia Santa and all those women like her who had to leave their homeland were the backbone of a future America that thrived on their childrens labor, and for that these women have my respect.

Great writing but if you want clear print and aesthetically pleasing experience pay more. Mario Puzzo deserves better!

Book came ahead of schedule, perfect condition. Bravo.

VERY LONG WINDED BOOK AND I ENDED UP LEAVING THE STORY HALF WAY, BORED STIFF.

i enjoyed the c.d. very much I was impressed by the quality it arrived in the deliverey time I would use provider again