Random Things Tours: The Prince of Naples. The True Story of One´s Boy Secret War on the Mafia

 ´My family was very average and very Catholic. I was neither, and I proved it with what I did´.

Not all Mafia stories should be bloody and apologetic. Some, especially those inspired by true facts, are so matter-of-factly that one should easily conclude that the facts accounted for are in fact so pervasive that they are part of the everyday normality.

This was, for me, the saddest conclusion while reading The Prince of Naples. The True Story of One´s Boy Secret War on Mafia as told to writer Hugh Gurney. However, there is also a positive message: as long as even a boy, 12-year old boy, can say ´no´ and eventually win over an organisation as strong as Mafia, everyone can do it.

´In Naples, the Mafia was an integral part of the very system that I wanted to take on´.

The Prince of Naples is a very dense book, both in terms of events and background information. It goes on with the flow of memory and stops alongside very often to add various social and political details to the story. The initial storyteller, who together with the FBI won over a powerful Mafia boss. ´The Prince´ is smart, resourceful and brave, as crazy brave someone should be in order to face Camorra. You better don´t try it on your own, unless you are a crazy genius. 

Although I´ve found once in a while the details too rich and not always relevant for the story, it helps at a certain extent to figure out the main social and political connections and human relationships in Naples. There is nothing like a politically-neutral story, especially when it comes to this part of Italy, and it is not a stereotype but a reality. There are so many social mentions that makes me curious to find out more about the society and the particular historical context. 

On the other hand, there is the personality of The Prince of Naples which makes this story so special and unique and, in the end, successful. ´The Prince´, although a bit narcissist, trust himself good enough to outlive his fears and succeed against the powerful Mafia-bosses. A little bit of help from the American friends arrived in the right moment, but nevertheless, the resilience of the little boy won me definitlely over.

This book is a recommended read to anyone interested in true crime, as well as in Italian contemporary history. It has a valuable documentary value that can further inspire tons of literary works. I would personally interested in watching a movie based on this book as well.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own