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The Godfather's Daughter: An Unlikely Story of Love, Healing, and Redemption Paperback – September 16, 2013

by Rita Gigante (Author), Natasha Stoynoff (Contributor)

4.6 182 ratings

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Rita Gigante grew up in a world swirling with secrets, lies, and multiple sins. Her father, notorious Mafia boss Vincent “the Chin” Gigante, was the leader of the Genovese crime clan and the head of all five New York crime families for decades. But until she was 16, she was kept in the dark about his underworld activities. She unknowingly hung out at mob headquarters and witnessed her dad’s whispered meetings around the dinner table, but only knew what she was told by her mother and siblings about his odd behavior: Dad’s sick. Keep your mouth shut. Don’t talk about the family. Living with the family secret—and other shocking betrayals she was to uncover, then instructed to conceal—plunged Rita into emotional and physical turmoil for years. And then there was the blockbuster secret she herself kept hidden away: As the youngest girl in an old-fashioned, devout Catholic family, how could she confess to the unforgiving Godfather that she was a lesbian? They were all going to hell, she figured . . . unless she could find a way to embrace the truth and find redemption. In The Godfather’s Daughter, Rita details her spiritual journey as she unravels the mysteries of her family and herself, and learns what it means to live in the truth she finds. It’s a real-life father-daughter tale of betrayal and faith, violence and love—and how a young woman escaped from a spiraling darkness to reach the light.And in the end, with his daughter’s healing help, even the Godfather finally learns to live in the light and atone for his sins.

Print length

265 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Hay House Inc
Publication date

September 16, 2013
Dimensions

5.75 x 0.75 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

1401938817
ISBN-13

978-1401938819
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Larry McShane
797
Paperback
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Anthony M. DeStefano
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About the Author

Rita Gigante has dedicated her adult life to healing people spiritually, emotionally, and physically. She has a degree in exercise physiology and is a licensed massage therapist and Reiki master. In 2010 she formed the Collective Healing Network, which conducts monthly sessions in New York and New Jersey. Rita also has a private practice outside of New York City, where she serves clients using energy therapy, intuitive healing, spiritual counseling, sound therapy, and angel readings.Please visit: ritagigante.com Natasha Stoynoff is a New York Times best-selling author with six books to her credit. Most recently, she was a correspondent for People magazine for nearly two decades. Before that, she worked as a news reporter/photographer for The Toronto Star, columnist for The Toronto Sun, and freelancer for Time magazine. She lives in New York City, where she writes books and screenplays.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hay House Inc (September 16, 2013)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 265 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1401938817
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1401938819
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.9 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 0.75 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,841,831 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #267,762 in Biographies (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 182 ratings

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Natasha Stoynoff
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Natasha Stoynoff is a New York Times best-selling author. She lives in New York City, where she writes books and screenplays, interviews the occasional celebrity, and eats too much chocolate.
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Rita Gigante
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Rita Gigante has dedicated her adult life to healing people spiritually, emotionally, and physically. She has a degree in exercise physiology and is a licensed massage therapist and Reiki master. In 2010 she formed the Collective Healing Network, which conducts monthly sessions in New York and New Jersey. Rita also has a private practice outside of New York City, where she serves clients using energy therapy, intuitive healing, spiritual counseling, sound therapy and angel readings.
See more on the author's page

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4.6 out of 5

182 global ratings

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J. Schorr

An inspiring story

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2024

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This is an inspiring true story about the author’s life and struggles to overcome many challenges. The author was born into the family of a well-known organized crime boss. The details of the author’s life are fascinating, but the personal journey to find healing makes this an inspiring book. I think the book is a bit overpriced, but I think it is a very worthwhile read.

Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2024

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Really enjoyed her story and perspective

Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2012

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I was given this book by my mother to read and I found it very touching and also, I laughed out loud in many places. Rita is a very lovable "character" and I was rooting for her for the entire book. I'm a big fan of the Godfather movies and that is initially why I wanted to read it. But this book, as other reviewers here have said, is not a mafia book...it's more like a strong woman's story or a tale of the scrappy underdog who comes up fighting for themselves, like Norma Rae or Rocky.
Rita's life and what she's been through is very unique and the majority of people, obviously, are not kids of mafia leaders. But still, I could still relate to and apply her story and struggles to the specifics in my own life and I think most people would be able to do this as well.
I love how she never gave up to try and be herself, even though all the odds--her family, her religion, her father's world, society--were against her. And those are big things to fight.
I also love how she questions the format and understandings of organized religion and suggests a more "inclusive" God who doesn't send people to hell for how He/She made them and wants us all to feel and find and experience love. Many narrow-minded people might learn this from Rita's book if they could just open their eyes.
When I finished the book, I came away from it feeling like anything is possible.

9 people found this helpful

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Mary

Interesting Read

Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2014

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Rita was quite candid while trying to honor and respect her family. I found her story very interesting, especially from the view of being the child, rather than a fellow Mafia "mate", mistress or law enforcement personnel. Her story was not like another child of a high profile Mafia capo. Having family that grew up in Old Tappan, NJ, where Rita was raised did peek my interest and the book did not disappoint. I was happy to read that she found her "happily ever after",especially after quite a diffilcult childhood and early adulthood.

2 people found this helpful

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Debbie A.

An incredible book that touches your soul!

Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2012

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The Godfather's Daughter: An Unlikely Story of Love, Healing, and Redemption

I picked up this book one afternoon and thought I would read for about an hour. The story seemed very interesting to me, as I love to read anything that would help me to think deep into my own life and learn from it. As I started reading the introduction, I found myself jumping into the story being told as if I was the one in it! Well... to my surprise, three hours later I was still reading, laughing and crying along the way. I believe the author captured Rita's voice so well, therefore making this book a complete page turner. I picked up the book every chance I could get, even if it were only ten minutes here and there. I was captivated by Rita's courage to endure this life of confusion, pain and suffering. Anyone could read this story and believe that there is hope in any painful situation. No matter what, you can always find the good in the bad! The glass is half full! Rita did not endure an easy life, but I believe she shows you that anyone can pick up the pieces of their own life and make it better! You just have to look ahead with hope and trust looking deep into your soul to find peace in your life. It might not be an easy journey to get to that place of peace, but seek and you will find. I have never trusted more after reading this book that life has endless possibilities! The last chapter I found myself sobbing my own demons away, releasing any pain I had endured in my own life, never looking back! I have found my own place of Love, Healing and Redemption!

8 people found this helpful

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HMU123

Great story, well told

Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2023

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Fascinating journey thru circumstances that must’ve been very difficult for one so sensitive. So glad you shared it with us, Rita. A real page-turner— I read it in two days.

One person found this helpful

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Rich Gentile

Never a dull moment!

Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2022

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Truly inspiring and compelling story which tells of a soul's journey through this less than perfect plane of existence. Battling through the school of hard knocks thus evolving into the person she is today. While I can relate to a number of things, Rita certainly had a heavier cross to bear than I did. And for those who complain that they were expecting a wiseguy bio I think Rita's story is far more interesting and hope it does make it to the big screen.

5 people found this helpful

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Sarah Gerweck

Amazing book

Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2023

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This opened my eyes to some Italian mafia stuff I remember from news in the 80’s. This is an amazing book that shows the negative effects and how mental illness is born and triggered by the secret crime life. I never realized how much the family is effected by the life that is never spoken of.

2 people found this helpful

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Jen

Awesome!

Reviewed in Canada on December 27, 2016

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Was a good book and in perfect condition!

Mr. C. Jones

A good read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 15, 2013

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I really enjoyed this book and as it was all fact based, it made it all the more interesting. I would highly recommend this book.

notanexpertbut...

Not the book I thought it was going to be BUT a GOOD read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 15, 2012

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A nice balance between the daughters story and her fathers story. An enjoyable read about a daughter growing up with a father who was the most powerful "Godfather" of his time.
From the way Rita was decieved by her family until the time she finds the "Truth" about her dad, the shock of finding out about her fathers other family, and her battles with her own personel life. It's more a story about a youg girl/woman and the difficult relationship with her dad as she grows, more than a book about the "Mafia"! I enjoyed it, and hope everything in the last chapter one day happens to us all!

2 people found this helpful

Paulaman

The Godfather's Daughter

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2014

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It wasn't quite what I expected from the sales blurb. It was ok, and I wanted to read to the end. The book highlights the damaged done to children/teens by adults who are rigid in their views and unwilling to understand the young person's point of view and feelings. There was a large element of spirits and 'presences' in this person's healing process. Not for me and I'm quite open-minded, and certainly not for everyone. I'd hoped to give it to someone who has emotional baggage from childhood, but I don't think it will help. It is clearly written, but not a great example of use of English, I'm afraid.

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The Godfather's Daughter: An Unlikely Story of Love, Healing, and Redemption Paperback – September 16, 2013

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