Another Review at MyShelf.Com

Publisher: Time Warner Books
Release Date: October 14, 2004
ISBN: 0-446-52770-X
Awards:  
Format Reviewed: Hardcover
Buy it at Amazon
Read an Excerpt
Genre:   Nonfiction - Biography/Memoir
Reviewed: 2004
Reviewer: Kristin Johnson
Reviewer Notes:  Reviewer Notes: Kristin Johnson, the founder of PoemsForYou.com, released her second book, CHRISTMAS COOKIES ARE FOR GIVING, co-written with Mimi Cummins, in October 2003. Her third book, ORDINARY MIRACLES: My Incredible Spiritual, Artistic and Scientific Journey, co-written with Sir Rupert A.L. Perrin, M.D., is now available from PublishAmerica
Copyright MyShelf.com

On the Run
A Mafia Childhood  
By Gregg and Gina Hill

     Mamma mia! Don’t let your babies grow up to be Mafioso. That is the message of this book, movingly written by “Wiseguy” children Gregg and Gina Hill, the victims behind the book, Wiseguy, the basis of the hit movie “Goodfellas.”

    In a culture where mobsters are glorified by “The Sopranos,” and made fun of by “Friends & Family,” the “Analyze” series, and most recently, “Shark Tale,” everyone forgets about the children. The old Mafia rule of thumb was “leave the wives and children alone.” Not so. The best portrayal of a Mafia marriage was “The Last Mafia Marriage” with Nancy Mckeon. Victoria Gotti glamorizes “Growing Up Gotti” and Bill Bonanno wrote his memoirs (Mckeon played his bride, Rosalie Profaci.) Reality check: these guys are criminals. Although Gay Talese (Honor They Father) remarked that “mobsters are boring,” try telling that to Gregg and Gina Hill, who had to leave behind everything when their father finally wised up and ratted out his friends. Unfortunately, Henry Hill couldn’t keep his ego in check and kept bragging about his life story, getting arrested, and generally causing heartache for his wife and children.

    Gina idolized her father, as her passages detail. The book is told in Gregg and Gina’s alternating viewpoints, which sometimes gets a bit choppy. Gregg’s viewpoints are a stark contrast to Gina’s. Gina buys her father’s promises that he’ll buy her a pony someday. Gregg has already seen his father snort lines of cocaine while listening to “Piano Man,” and he's discovered Henry’s multiple infidelities. Tony Soprano’s affairs seem less riveting now.

     The clashes between viewpoints never emerge into a quarrel. Gregg attempts to protect his sister and never challenges her on her idolatry, her idealization of her father. Meanwhile, Gregg loses out on his first date, has to say goodbye to his best friend over the phone (both of them cry), and resents, then outright despises his father, until their clashes come to a violent head. Both children ultimately must create a life all their own. Gregg’s and Gina’s book is a testament to their resilience and a searing indictment of the Mob.