Richard Condon (1) (1915–1996)

Brilliantly written story which explores some very scary concepts with regards to brain washing. I was led here by Dean Koontz's Whispering Room, which also has the same scary brain washing concepts.

Considering how long ago this was published, by just changing the war and the enemies, the story can still take place today.

And just the way the good guys find out about the brain washing...quite funny. For people expecting spoilers...well, they can go and jump in a lake :)… (more)

Your Wife or Your Life
Review of the Berkeley Books movie tie-in edition paperback (June, 1985) of the Coward, McCann & Geoghegan hardcover original (March, 1982).

"There is no choice, Charley. The existence of the Prizzi family is in your hands."...
"But she is my wife, Padrino." Charley's voice broke.
"She is your wife, we are your life," his father said. "Tell us your answer, Charley."

I just had to do a re-read of Prizzi's Honor when I found its author Richard Condon listed in Christopher Fowler's The Book of Forgotten Authors (2017). How could the author of books such as The Manchurian Candidate (1959) be forgotten? Admittedly it would be difficult to find one of Condon's books in a bricks & mortar bookstore these days, even if the 1959 novel was resurrected as recently as its 2004 film adaptation with Denzel Washington. The title itself has become somewhat of a catchphrase for describing a political candidate being a front for someone else. I remember it being used as a description of Donald Trump being manipulated by Vladimir Putin for instance.

In any case, Prizzi's Honor did not fail to entertain even in what must have been my upteenth reading of it. The satirical tale of a mob family protecting its so-called "honor" (which was simply the desire for more wealth and power) was just as hilarious, but also as cold-blooded as ever. The story can of course be read as a parable for all sorts of corrupt business or political families. The Prizzi saga continued with 3 additional books with the improbably entry of former family hitman Charley Partanna into the American political world. No one at GR has even bothered to do a Listopia of the books which, in addition, are Prizzi's Family (#2 1987), Prizzi's Glory (#3 1988) and Prizzi's Money (#4 1994). Perhaps that is another sign of being forgotten.

Trivia and Links
Prizzi's Honor was adapted for the same-titled 1985 film by director John Huston with a screenplay by author Richard Condon with Janet Roach. Anjelica Huston won the Best Supporting Female Actor Oscar for her performance as Maerose Prizzi. You can watch the trailer for the film here, and an extended clip with Anjelica Huston and William Hickey as the head of the Prizzi family, Don Corrado Prizzi here.… (more)

You've probably heard about the movie, but not the book, but please read the book, and don't see the movie. If you are going to see the movie, see the original with Frank Sinatra.

This book blew me away because never had I read a book so full of characters I despised. One character is so disrespected by the author that he does not even give her a name and she is a main character in the book. This book touches on many mores and I understand why it has study guides. It is a brilliant and thought and provoking book, but keep in mind that it is a work of fiction.… (more)