The SicilianThe Sicilian
Score Classic
What it's about
Near the end of his exile in Sicily, Michael Corleone is ordered to bring back to America Salvatore Giuliano, a young Sicilian bandit and folk hero whose defiance has angered the head of the Sicilian Mafia.
Why it's worth reading
It spent 2 weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and was one of the ten best-selling books of 1984. It's Mario Puzo's return to the world of The Godfather.
You'll love it if you liked
The Godfather
Fools Die
Live by NightGood to know
It's set during the events of The Godfather but focuses on Giuliano, a real historical figure.
By the numbers
- Readers45 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller42 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Adventurous
More by Mario Puzo
If you like this, read next
The Pillars of the Earth
In Cold Blood
Rebecca
Crime and Punishment
The Name of the Rose
Advise and Consent.Explore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Sicilian worth reading?
Yes. It spent 2 weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and was one of the ten best-selling books of 1984. It ranks #1,890 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 64.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Sicilian about?
Near the end of his exile in Sicily, Michael Corleone is ordered to bring back to America Salvatore Giuliano, a young Sicilian bandit and folk hero whose defiance has angered the head of the Sicilian Mafia.
How long does it take to read The Sicilian?
About 12 hours (462 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Sicilian?
If you liked it, try The Godfather by Mario Puzo, Fools Die by Mario Puzo or Live by Night by Dennis Lehane.