The Sicilian
First edition
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| Author | Mario Puzo |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Godfather |
| Genre | Thriller, crime fiction |
| Publisher | Random House |
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Publication date
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November 1984 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback), Audiobook |
| Pages | 416 p. (Hardback edition) & 410 p. (Paperback edition) |
| ISBN | (Hardback edition) & (Paperback edition) |
| OCLC | 11030814 |
| 813/.54 19 | |
| LC Class | PS3566.U9 S5 1984 |
| Preceded by | The Godfather |
| Followed by | The Godfather Returns |
The Sicilian is a novel by Italian-American author Mario Puzo. Published in 1984 by Random House Publishing Group (), it is based on Puzo's most famous work, The Godfather. It is regarded as The Godfather's literary sequel.
In this novel, the spelling of Salvatore Giuliano's name was intentionally changed by Puzo to "Guiliano". This novel, though a work of fiction, is based on the real life exploits of Giuliano.
The novel opens in 1950 Sicily, where Michael Corleone, nearing the end of his exile in Sicily, meets with Don Croce Malo, the Capo di Capi or Boss of bosses in Sicily, his brother, Father Benjamino Malo, Stefan Andolini (redheaded cousin of Don Vito Corleone), and Sicilian Inspector Frederico Velardi. They discuss with Michael the details of his father's agreement to allow Michael to usher the bandit Salvatore "Turi" Guiliano out of Sicily and to America. Michael is told of a "testament", a set of documents Guiliano has composed that would be damning to certain political officials of the Italian government if released. Michael is taken to Guiliano's house where he meets Turi's parents and Gaspare "Aspanu" Pisciotta, Guiliano's second in command. Michael is informed that Turi's pregnant fiancée is heading to America first, ahead of Guiliano, and only when she sends word back that she is safe, will Turi leave for America. Michael is also told he is to be entrusted with Guiliano's testament. Maria Lombardo Guiliano gives Michael a black statue of the Virgin Mary as a gift as he parts.
The bulk of the novel focuses on the life of Salvatore Guiliano and how he rose to his legendary status as a bandit and hero to the Sicilian people. He was born in the village of Montelepre, west of Palermo. His godfather, Hector Adonis, a small man tormented his entire life for his small stature, was a professor of history and literature at the University of Palermo. He is a very close personal friend of the Guiliano family, a mentor for Turi, and a man who caters to the Friends of the Friends (the word Mafia is rarely spoken in Sicily).
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