Karen Gravano, costar of the reality TV show "Mob Wives," talks about the effect her father's mob activities had on her and her family's life. Karen Gravano was only 9 years old when she suspected that her father, Sammy "The Bull" Gravano, was a Mafia underboss. He often left the family house with a gun tucked in his pants and acted as if everything was fine. As various mob-related murders begin to hit home, Sammy tries to still be a father to his kids and a husband to their mother. When he finds out that his son Gerard is dyslexic, he gets upset and pushes his son to do better.
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After Sammy sets Karen up with her own flower business, she starts noticing mysterious cars circling the store. Sammy announces to his family that he's going on the lam, thinking that the Feds wouldn't be able to bring any of the indictments against him for his mob-related murders. Mistaken, he ends up in jail. He then decides to cooperate with the FBI, and many of his associates desert him and his family. They move to Phoenix.
Upon returning to New York, Karen's life turns upside down. She gets involved with a bank robber, and they cheat on each other. He ends up getting together with her future "Mob Wives" costar Drita. Karen and some other women start a thriving drug-dealing business. She delivers some weed to a magazine office, and the publisher gives her a job, telling her she can be much more than a drug dealer. However, she gets fed up with New York and joins the family in Phoenix. Shortly after having a baby girl, the family are arrested on suspicion of being a drug cartel just as Sammy has declared that he's turning over a new leaf.
After bonding with her father, Karen and her family are released. She goes back to New York and for a time opens up a beauty salon. She then talks to her friend, TV producer Jennifer Graziano, about ideas for a possible TV show. It's here that "Mob Wives" was born, also starring Jennifer's sister Renee.
Best part of story, including ending:
I liked all the details of Karen and her family's life, and all the lessons she learned about loyalty and who your real family is.
Best scene in story:
The scene where the family is arrested for being a drug cartel is tense. Karen has just had a baby, and she holds on to the baby for dear life.
Opinion about the main character:
I liked that she finally became a better person after so many trials. I didn't like that she could be spoiled and immoral, running a weed business at one point.