The Fortunate Pilgrim

From the barren farms of Italy to the cramped tenements of New York, the immigrant families struggle with an adopted life -- none more so than the Angeluzzi-Corbos. At their head stands Lucia Santa, wife, widow and mother of two families. It is her formidable will that steers them through the Depression and the early years of war. But she cannot prevent the conflict between Italian and American values -- nor the violence and bloodshed which must surely follow

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The Fortunate Pilgrim is the real birthplace of the Godfather. As Puzo says, the book's hero, Lucia Santa, is based on his own mother. And as he wrote what was to become the world's bestselling novel, "whenever the Godfather opened his mouth, in my own mind I heard the voice of my mother. I heard her wisdom, her ruthlessness, and her unconquerable love for her family and for life itself.... The Don's courage and loyalty came from her; his humanity came from her... and so, I know now, without Lucia Santa, I could not have written The Godfather."

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