The Family: A Novel Summary
Naomi Krupitsky

The Family: A Novel Overview

Placing a deep psychological exploration of a close female friendship within the context of the Italian mafia, Krupitsky’s novel follows fiery Sofia Russo and contemplative Antonia Colicchio from elementary age through high school, marriage, and childrearing, from 1928 to 1948. The point of view of the novel blurs the perspective of its two protagonists, demonstrating their codependence, and the circular structure shows the reader the way that, in cultures focused on heritage, the past can often presage the future. In addition to these and other themes, The Family makes an expansive exploration into the gender roles of the time, and dives deeply into the idea of racism and the immigrant experience, going beyond stereotype into a subtle portrait that has relevance for today.