Title: The Family
Author: Naomi Krupitsky
Published: October 27th 2021
Publisher: HarperCollins GB
Pages: 368
Genres: Fiction, General
RRP: $29.99
Rating: 3.5 stars
A captivating debut novel about the tangled fates of two best friends and daughters of the Italian mafia, and a coming-of-age story of twentieth-century Brooklyn itself.
Two daughters. Two families. One inescapable fate.
Sofia Colicchio is a free spirit, loud and untamed. Antonia Russo is thoughtful, ever observing the world around her. Best friends since birth, they live in the shadow of their fathers’ unspoken community: the Family. Sunday dinners gather them each week to feast, discuss business, and renew the intoxicating bond borne of blood and love.
But the disappearance of Antonia’s father drives a whisper-thin wedge between the girls as they grow into women, wives, mothers, and leaders. And as they push against the boundaries of society’s expectations and fight to preserve their complex but life-sustaining friendship, one fateful night their loyalty to each other and the Family will be tested.
Only one of them can pull the trigger before it’s too late.
For fans of Elena Ferrante and Maggie O’Farrell, The Family introduces a stunning new voice in literary fiction.
Review:
Naomi Krupitsky’s debut novel is a literary historical fiction composition that deposits the reader into times gone by when the Italian mafia ruled the world. The Family closely follows the long standing friendship and lives of two women, in a strong character focussed meditation.
Situated in Brooklyn during the 1920s through to the 1940s, The Family is an evolution story that zones in on the lives of two daughters from two well-known Italian mafia families. The first key character we meet is Sofia, a fiery and independent girl who longs to live a free life. Then there is Antonia, a quiet and pensive girl, who likes to watch the world go by. The girls have been connected together since they were babies thanks to the business of their fathers, which is known as the family. Together, the girls have forged a bond over family gatherings and business meetings. But the shock disappearance of Antonia’s father creates a deep divide between the girls which seeps over into adulthood. Despite the challenges of their lives and relationships, the girls continue to be a part of each other’s lives. However, when both tragedy and fate intervene, this long-standing friendship will be challenged. What will happen and what choices have to be made?
Author, editor and bookseller Naomi Krupitsky proudly released her debut novel The Family in October of 2021. I have to confess that this one has been sitting in my folder of downloaded audio books since January 2022, after I read an enticing review of Krupitsky’s first novel by my favourite book reviewer. After a few stop starts with this particular audiobook narrated by Marin Ireland, I finally managed to clear The Family from my play list.
I did read in Theresa Smith’s wonderful and helpful review that The Family is not a book for everyone. I made sure that I went in with an open mind and I was aware that I might either adore this one, or not warm to The Family at all. I think I’m kind of on the fence with The Family. I’m not sure if it was my cup of tea. It’s very Elena Ferrante crossed with Sopranos-ish. Even Godfather like. But The Family concerns itself more with drawn out character studies and lots of protagonist introspection time, rather than full blown action. The Family is a slow burn and I did honestly struggle with the pace. It is well written though and the prose is carefully formed.
In terms of setting, time and place, Krupitsky nails this aspect. I did feel like I was walking the streets of Brooklyn and experiencing life as ‘the family’. We are made to feel part of the shenanigans, both good and bad of this community group. I don’t think I’ve read anything based around the Italian mafia before so it was quite an eye-opening experience. What reigns supreme in this novel is the friendship between Antonia and Sofia, along with their respective coming-of-age stories.
The audible narration was pitched nicely and the writing well placed, it just was a shame that I didn’t fully attach myself to The Family. If you are fond of heavy protagonist filled tales with a literary tinge and a strong historical angle, add this one to your booklist.
The Family by Naomi Krupitsky was published on 27th October 2021 by HarperCollins GB. Details on how to purchase the book can be found here.
To learn more about the author of The Family, Naomi Kruptivsky, visit here.
