Vince has a tendency to joke, even about serious things (such as coming from a family of criminals). What purpose do you think that all of his joking serves, for him and for the reader? Do you think that his joking is a sign or resilience, weakness or both? 

In Vince’s extended (crime) family, there are a number of men called Uncle: Uncle Pampers, Uncle No-Nose, and so on. Why do you think that these men are nicknamed in this way, and how does it make us see them, as readers? How does Vince seem to see them?

There are a number of movies and novels about the Mafia, some of which are serious (The Godfather) and some of which are light (Analyze This). Why do you think that the Mafia is such an enduringly popular subject, and yet is treated in such different ways? How do you see this novel as fitting in with this tradition? Would you call the novel funny, serious, or both?