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The Godfather
Mario Puzo’s classic saga of an American crime family that became a global phenomenon—nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read. With its brilliant and brutal portrayal of the Corleone family, The Godfather burned its way into our national consciousness. This unforgettable saga of crime and corruption, passion and loyalty continues to stand the test of time, as the definitive novel of the Mafia underworld. A #1 New York Times bestseller in 1969, Mario Puzo’s epic was turned into the incomparable film of the same name, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. It is the original classic that has been often imitated, but never matched. A tale of family and society, law and order, obedience and rebellion, it reveals the dark passions of human nature played out against a backdrop of the American dream.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1969
40 people are currently reading
2982 people want to read
About the author
Mario Puzo
138 books4,822 followersPuzo was born in a poor family of Neapolitan immigrants living in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of New York. Many of his books draw heavily on this heritage. After graduating from the City College of New York, he joined the United States Army Air Forces in World War II. Due to his poor eyesight, the military did not let him undertake combat duties but made him a public relations officer stationed in Germany. In 1950, his first short story, The Last Christmas, was published in American Vanguard. After the war, he wrote his first book, The Dark Arena, which was published in 1955.
At periods in the 1950s and early 1960s, Puzo worked as a writer/editor for publisher Martin Goodman's Magazine Management Company. Puzo, along with other writers like Bruce Jay Friedman, worked for the company line of men's magazines, pulp titles like Male, True Action, and Swank. Under the pseudonym Mario Cleri, Puzo wrote World War II adventure features for True Action.
Puzo's most famous work, The Godfather, was first published in 1969 after he had heard anecdotes about Mafia organizations during his time in pulp journalism. He later said in an interview with Larry King that his principal motivation was to make money. He had already, after all, written two books that had received great reviews, yet had not amounted to much. As a government clerk with five children, he was looking to write something that would appeal to the masses. With a number one bestseller for months on the New York Times Best Seller List, Mario Puzo had found his target audience. The book was later developed into the film The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The movie received 11 Academy Award nominations, winning three, including an Oscar for Puzo for Best Adapted Screenplay. Coppola and Puzo collaborated then to work on sequels to the original film, The Godfather Part II and The Godfather Part III.
Puzo wrote the first draft of the script for the 1974 disaster film Earthquake, which he was unable to continue working on due to his commitment to The Godfather Part II. Puzo also co-wrote Richard Donner's Superman and the original draft for Superman II. He also collaborated on the stories for the 1982 film A Time to Die and the 1984 Francis Ford Coppola film The Cotton Club.
Puzo never saw the publication of his penultimate book, Omertà, but the manuscript was finished before his death, as was the manuscript for The Family. However, in a review originally published in the San Francisco Chronicle, Jules Siegel, who had worked closely with Puzo at Magazine Management Company, speculated that Omertà may have been completed by "some talentless hack." Siegel also acknowledges the temptation to "rationalize avoiding what is probably the correct analysis -- that [Puzo] wrote it and it is terrible."
Puzo died of heart failure on July 2, 1999 at his home in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York. His family now lives in East Islip, New York.
At periods in the 1950s and early 1960s, Puzo worked as a writer/editor for publisher Martin Goodman's Magazine Management Company. Puzo, along with other writers like Bruce Jay Friedman, worked for the company line of men's magazines, pulp titles like Male, True Action, and Swank. Under the pseudonym Mario Cleri, Puzo wrote World War II adventure features for True Action.
Puzo's most famous work, The Godfather, was first published in 1969 after he had heard anecdotes about Mafia organizations during his time in pulp journalism. He later said in an interview with Larry King that his principal motivation was to make money. He had already, after all, written two books that had received great reviews, yet had not amounted to much. As a government clerk with five children, he was looking to write something that would appeal to the masses. With a number one bestseller for months on the New York Times Best Seller List, Mario Puzo had found his target audience. The book was later developed into the film The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The movie received 11 Academy Award nominations, winning three, including an Oscar for Puzo for Best Adapted Screenplay. Coppola and Puzo collaborated then to work on sequels to the original film, The Godfather Part II and The Godfather Part III.
Puzo wrote the first draft of the script for the 1974 disaster film Earthquake, which he was unable to continue working on due to his commitment to The Godfather Part II. Puzo also co-wrote Richard Donner's Superman and the original draft for Superman II. He also collaborated on the stories for the 1982 film A Time to Die and the 1984 Francis Ford Coppola film The Cotton Club.
Puzo never saw the publication of his penultimate book, Omertà, but the manuscript was finished before his death, as was the manuscript for The Family. However, in a review originally published in the San Francisco Chronicle, Jules Siegel, who had worked closely with Puzo at Magazine Management Company, speculated that Omertà may have been completed by "some talentless hack." Siegel also acknowledges the temptation to "rationalize avoiding what is probably the correct analysis -- that [Puzo] wrote it and it is terrible."
Puzo died of heart failure on July 2, 1999 at his home in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York. His family now lives in East Islip, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
May 21, 2022
Coppola's Godfather was the perfect visualization of Mario Puzo's Godfather. It starts with Balzac's famous "Behind every great fortune is a crime." The world of crime Puzo takes us, leaves us in awe, simple language to suggest the ease of business -- nothing personal. Reading this spectacle, I was already biased on its quality. Nino Rota perfectly encapsulated the mood of this literature, and I suggest listening to it, while reading Mario Puzo's masterpiece.
June 27, 2025
The Godfather II by Mario Puzo – this magnum opus is celebrated as one of The Greatest Movies of All time, indeed, for some cinephiles and/or critics, it is nec plus ultra, along with the first part, which is reviewed on my blog, where you find hundreds of notes on films and books, the best though is https://realinibarzoi.blogspot.com/20...
10 out of 10
The Godfather is iconic, both the first and the second part belong to the Top 5 Best Movies, unless we are talking of newer compilations – The British Film Institute has updated its list of favorites, and at number one and in other places they have productions I have never heard of – and they are so iconic that
- ‘You broke my heart Fredo’ is a line you hear in multiple motion pictures
Another look at the same Godfather II is at https://realinibarzoi.blogspot.com/20... - Michael becomes the new leader of the Corleone family, we have seen him rise in the first part, when he seemed to be following a different path, nothing to do with organized crime
Nevertheless, when there is an assassination attempt on the life of his father, Vito Corleone - portrayed by Marlon Brando when old and Robert De Niro as a young man – Michael is pushed at the forefront, when he tries to protect his parent, guarding the door of the hospital, he avoids murder, and gets punched in the process
Vengeance is also required, and from now on, Michael is ‘in’, after he kills the assassin and the accomplice, a corrupt cop, he has to leave the country, in Sicily he finds love, wants to marry, but the would be bride is murdered by a bomb, meant to eliminate the young Corleone, in this eternal vendetta between Mafia gangs https://realinibarzoi.blogspot.com/20...
In the second part, Michael is The Godfather, but the fighting never ends, on the contrary, he is even more violent than Vito had been – the latter has another quote you hear so much ‘I made him an offer he couldn’t refuse’ – at the funeral of his father, he could see who the foes are, and then, there was a baptism
The occasion is used to kill almost all the other bosses of the gangster families, the brother-in-law who had beaten Connie – in the second part, the brother, Fredo, pays for his betrayal with his life – and we can see that it is a question of life and death, but the ruthlessness is nonetheless appalling, there is no mercy here
From Easy Riders, Raging Bulls https://realinibarzoi.blogspot.com/20... we get details about how this was made, and other master works from the period, the project did not look like such a sure thing, they have had so many problems that they made a series about the story of the Godfather
One of the crucial characters was Robert Evans, actor, producer and head of Paramount, the one who is associated with the Godfather, but also with Rosemary’s Baby, Love Story, Chinatown and a few other big hits, he has written his own version of events, how he chose Francis Ford Coppola, challenges during the filming
For instance, Coppola wanted Al Pacino for the role of Michael Corleone, even if (or because) he was not a star, indeed, there is this funny conversation – Evans, who did not want Pacino, asks for him and the interlocutor had not heard of the thespian, he asked the name to be spelled, now he is seen as one of the greatest
I see a connection with the present, America, the MAGA side of it, has blessed the world with the Orange Chosen, a sort of Godfather, he sees the other countries as the mafia used to, he wants to shake them down, hence the disastrous tariffs of yesterday and all that clown show, what am I saying, he is worse than The Godfather, many more will die, suffer because of this monster
Now for my standard closing of the note with a question, and invitation – maybe you have a good idea on how we could make more than a million dollars with this https://realinibarzoi.blogspot.com/20... – as it is, this is a unique technique, which we could promote, sell, open the Oscars show with or something and then make lots of money together, if you have the how, I have the product, I just do not know how to get the befits from it, other than the exercise per se
There is also the small matter of working for AT&T – this huge company asked me to be its Representative for Romania and Bulgaria, on the Calling Card side, which meant sailing into the Black Sea wo meet the US Navy ships, travelling to Sofia, a lot of activity, using my mother’s two bedrooms flat as office and warehouse, all for the grand total of $250, raised after a lot of persuasion to the staggering $400…with retirement ahead, there are no benefits, nothing…it is a longer story, but if you can help get the mastodont to pay some dues, or have an idea how it can happen, let me know
As for my role in the Revolution that killed Ceausescu, a smaller Mao, there it is http://realini.blogspot.com/2022/03/r...
Some favorite quotes from To The Hermitage and other works
‘Fiction is infinitely preferable to real life...As long as you avoid the books of Kafka or Beckett, the everlasting plot of fiction has fewer futile experiences than the careless plot of reality...Fiction's people are fuller, deeper, cleverer, more moving than those in real life…Its actions are more intricate, illuminating, noble, profound…There are many more dramas, climaxes, romantic fulfillment, twists, turns, gratified resolutions…Unlike reality, all of this you can experience without leaving the house or even getting out of bed…What's more, books are a form of intelligent human greatness, as stories are a higher order of sense…As random life is to destiny, so stories are to great authors, who provided us with some of the highest pleasures and the most wonderful mystifications we can find…Few stories are greater than Anna Karenina, that wise epic by an often foolish author…’
10 out of 10
The Godfather is iconic, both the first and the second part belong to the Top 5 Best Movies, unless we are talking of newer compilations – The British Film Institute has updated its list of favorites, and at number one and in other places they have productions I have never heard of – and they are so iconic that
- ‘You broke my heart Fredo’ is a line you hear in multiple motion pictures
Another look at the same Godfather II is at https://realinibarzoi.blogspot.com/20... - Michael becomes the new leader of the Corleone family, we have seen him rise in the first part, when he seemed to be following a different path, nothing to do with organized crime
Nevertheless, when there is an assassination attempt on the life of his father, Vito Corleone - portrayed by Marlon Brando when old and Robert De Niro as a young man – Michael is pushed at the forefront, when he tries to protect his parent, guarding the door of the hospital, he avoids murder, and gets punched in the process
Vengeance is also required, and from now on, Michael is ‘in’, after he kills the assassin and the accomplice, a corrupt cop, he has to leave the country, in Sicily he finds love, wants to marry, but the would be bride is murdered by a bomb, meant to eliminate the young Corleone, in this eternal vendetta between Mafia gangs https://realinibarzoi.blogspot.com/20...
In the second part, Michael is The Godfather, but the fighting never ends, on the contrary, he is even more violent than Vito had been – the latter has another quote you hear so much ‘I made him an offer he couldn’t refuse’ – at the funeral of his father, he could see who the foes are, and then, there was a baptism
The occasion is used to kill almost all the other bosses of the gangster families, the brother-in-law who had beaten Connie – in the second part, the brother, Fredo, pays for his betrayal with his life – and we can see that it is a question of life and death, but the ruthlessness is nonetheless appalling, there is no mercy here
From Easy Riders, Raging Bulls https://realinibarzoi.blogspot.com/20... we get details about how this was made, and other master works from the period, the project did not look like such a sure thing, they have had so many problems that they made a series about the story of the Godfather
One of the crucial characters was Robert Evans, actor, producer and head of Paramount, the one who is associated with the Godfather, but also with Rosemary’s Baby, Love Story, Chinatown and a few other big hits, he has written his own version of events, how he chose Francis Ford Coppola, challenges during the filming
For instance, Coppola wanted Al Pacino for the role of Michael Corleone, even if (or because) he was not a star, indeed, there is this funny conversation – Evans, who did not want Pacino, asks for him and the interlocutor had not heard of the thespian, he asked the name to be spelled, now he is seen as one of the greatest
I see a connection with the present, America, the MAGA side of it, has blessed the world with the Orange Chosen, a sort of Godfather, he sees the other countries as the mafia used to, he wants to shake them down, hence the disastrous tariffs of yesterday and all that clown show, what am I saying, he is worse than The Godfather, many more will die, suffer because of this monster
Now for my standard closing of the note with a question, and invitation – maybe you have a good idea on how we could make more than a million dollars with this https://realinibarzoi.blogspot.com/20... – as it is, this is a unique technique, which we could promote, sell, open the Oscars show with or something and then make lots of money together, if you have the how, I have the product, I just do not know how to get the befits from it, other than the exercise per se
There is also the small matter of working for AT&T – this huge company asked me to be its Representative for Romania and Bulgaria, on the Calling Card side, which meant sailing into the Black Sea wo meet the US Navy ships, travelling to Sofia, a lot of activity, using my mother’s two bedrooms flat as office and warehouse, all for the grand total of $250, raised after a lot of persuasion to the staggering $400…with retirement ahead, there are no benefits, nothing…it is a longer story, but if you can help get the mastodont to pay some dues, or have an idea how it can happen, let me know
As for my role in the Revolution that killed Ceausescu, a smaller Mao, there it is http://realini.blogspot.com/2022/03/r...
Some favorite quotes from To The Hermitage and other works
‘Fiction is infinitely preferable to real life...As long as you avoid the books of Kafka or Beckett, the everlasting plot of fiction has fewer futile experiences than the careless plot of reality...Fiction's people are fuller, deeper, cleverer, more moving than those in real life…Its actions are more intricate, illuminating, noble, profound…There are many more dramas, climaxes, romantic fulfillment, twists, turns, gratified resolutions…Unlike reality, all of this you can experience without leaving the house or even getting out of bed…What's more, books are a form of intelligent human greatness, as stories are a higher order of sense…As random life is to destiny, so stories are to great authors, who provided us with some of the highest pleasures and the most wonderful mystifications we can find…Few stories are greater than Anna Karenina, that wise epic by an often foolish author…’
July 31, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book
If it weren't so misogynistic and racist It would be a very rare 5
We've all seen the film and enjoyed it. but Puzo fleshes out the characters so well with lots of backstory. I got very involved and cared about them.
If it weren't so misogynistic and racist It would be a very rare 5
We've all seen the film and enjoyed it. but Puzo fleshes out the characters so well with lots of backstory. I got very involved and cared about them.
August 24, 2024
—¿Qué clase de hombres seríamos si careciéramos de la facultad de razonar? ... Seríamos como las bestias de la selva. Pero la razón preside todos nuestros actos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tal vez sea de las pocas personas que no habían leído y ni visto anteriormente la película. Y en un club de lectura conjunta me di cuenta de que está equivocada.
Así que leer desde cero ha sido una buena experiencia. La trama me atrapó y tenía más curiosidad por toda la trama que se desarrolla.
Aunque la historia es atrayente, para mí hay escenas y personajes innecesarios.
Lo interesante de conocer el desarrollo de Vito Andolini hasta convertirse en el "Don o el Padrino", y construir un dominio en EUA en la década de los 40, las intrigas, negociaciones y traiciones. Las transformaciones que surgen en sus hijos y allegados para continuar con el legado de "La familia Corleone".
Una lectura diferente en estos últimos meses.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tal vez sea de las pocas personas que no habían leído y ni visto anteriormente la película. Y en un club de lectura conjunta me di cuenta de que está equivocada.
Así que leer desde cero ha sido una buena experiencia. La trama me atrapó y tenía más curiosidad por toda la trama que se desarrolla.
Aunque la historia es atrayente, para mí hay escenas y personajes innecesarios.
Lo interesante de conocer el desarrollo de Vito Andolini hasta convertirse en el "Don o el Padrino", y construir un dominio en EUA en la década de los 40, las intrigas, negociaciones y traiciones. Las transformaciones que surgen en sus hijos y allegados para continuar con el legado de "La familia Corleone".
Una lectura diferente en estos últimos meses.
April 20, 2025
The book was much more crime-related compared to the other one I’ve read before. I’m not a fan of the crime genre, but despite its bloody parts, it was still a thrilling experience. Additionally, the issues involving the five families were as complex as they could be. Nevertheless, it captured my attention, so I would recommend reading The Godfather
June 4, 2024
I am in love with this book!!
What an amazingly written book it is! The complexities have been handled so beautifully that it does reflect that the writer is polished and definately deserves the credit.
What an amazingly written book it is! The complexities have been handled so beautifully that it does reflect that the writer is polished and definately deserves the credit.
December 17, 2019
I had watched the movies first and I have to say that I was a little skeptical about this book. The movies were really confusing, gave no explanation for anything, and left me really lost. But that was not the case at all with this book. It has rich and in interesting characters, clever back stories, and iconic one liners. Its slow calm way of talking about the rough and fast paced world of the mafia was refreshing. If you like action, need some clarification on the movies, or want a fresh (old school) take on a classic gang story you should try this book. Also if you have the option you should listen to it as an audio book the reading for it is wonderful. While its clear the Puzo has never actually talked to a woman and has no idea how to write one it comes off as funny and doesn't hurt the plot that much.
March 27, 2024
Puzo's masterpiece.
March 16, 2022
The Thrilling Story of Crime and Deceit
By Hemanth Yadlapally on March 16, 2022
Format: Paperback
An Italian baker who loves his daughter has allowed her to fall in love with one of his Italian workers who was soon to be extradited out of the country by the American government. How can he possibly please his daughter and defy a government institution? A Hollywood singer-turned movie star who seems to be living the American dream is actually faced with many issues himself as he has left his family for a ruthless woman and his production company won’t let him star in the movie of a lifetime, which could possibly revive his career. How could he possibly save himself from his situation? A troubled father is faced with many problems as his daughter has been brutally abused by two degenerates who have been let free in the face of justice at court. If justice wasn’t delivered in the court system, where else would it be found? All the answers lie within one man, Don Corleone.
The Godfather, by Mario Puzo, is a story that revolves around one of the five mafia families in New York City back in the 1940s. The Corleones have an astounding reputation as a successful mafia that has direct dealings with highly positioned politicians and gambling deals all over the city. The reason behind their success is from one man, Don Vito Corleone. The Don is found to provide any person his services even if they are poor or people with low stature in society. All he asks in return is the extension of the friendship and the ability of the person to answer to the Don’s favor when he needs it. Included in the family are Vito’s three sons: Sonny, Fredo, and Michael. Sonny is often found to have an uncontrollable temper, while Fredo is quite the opposite and not fit enough to handle the throne of the Don. However, Vito’s youngest son, Michael, is the perfect candidate but he wishes to never turn out like his father. The once virtuous and all-seeing Don is later riddled with problems that land him and his family in serious trouble. In the face of danger, the youngest son, Michael, must somehow protect his family legacy from the new drugs business and take care of the other five New York families and inside men from overruling the Corleones.
Starting out as a very successful book, The Godfather was later adapted as a motion picture which became to be known today as one of the greatest movie trilogies of all time. Although it is not as good as the feature film, The Godfather novel includes a more in-depth explanation of the events and history of the mafia family and gives an insight into the motives and transformation of Michael Corleone. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in an epic tale of crime and deceit. People that are fans of mob stories are going to like The Godfather as the author of the story was of Italian descent and knew the origins and traditions of many famous Sicilian families that once ruled America in the 1900s. Puzo’s iconic dialogues, which are still popular today, make an impact on the story’s overall influence of power and deceit. Some of my favorite quotes from the novel include, “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse”, and “Revenge is a dish that tastes best when served cold”. These quotes demonstrate the power and influence the Godfather holds and explain the behavior of the characters. Many scenes that involve these quotes often show the character development throughout the story and explain how the character overcomes the adversity of numerous dangers. This book reveals the true dark depths that the mafia business can take you to, no matter who you are. The reader can often relate to characters such as Michael Corleone but they are then able to see what the tough wars between the mafia do to a normal citizen. The story of family, business, and deceit in the 1940s has taken me to a whole different world that I never knew existed. This novel revolves around many dynamic characters and their actions which shape the society of the New York mafia families. I definitely recommend this book and encourage everyone to read it.
By Hemanth Yadlapally on March 16, 2022
Format: Paperback
An Italian baker who loves his daughter has allowed her to fall in love with one of his Italian workers who was soon to be extradited out of the country by the American government. How can he possibly please his daughter and defy a government institution? A Hollywood singer-turned movie star who seems to be living the American dream is actually faced with many issues himself as he has left his family for a ruthless woman and his production company won’t let him star in the movie of a lifetime, which could possibly revive his career. How could he possibly save himself from his situation? A troubled father is faced with many problems as his daughter has been brutally abused by two degenerates who have been let free in the face of justice at court. If justice wasn’t delivered in the court system, where else would it be found? All the answers lie within one man, Don Corleone.
The Godfather, by Mario Puzo, is a story that revolves around one of the five mafia families in New York City back in the 1940s. The Corleones have an astounding reputation as a successful mafia that has direct dealings with highly positioned politicians and gambling deals all over the city. The reason behind their success is from one man, Don Vito Corleone. The Don is found to provide any person his services even if they are poor or people with low stature in society. All he asks in return is the extension of the friendship and the ability of the person to answer to the Don’s favor when he needs it. Included in the family are Vito’s three sons: Sonny, Fredo, and Michael. Sonny is often found to have an uncontrollable temper, while Fredo is quite the opposite and not fit enough to handle the throne of the Don. However, Vito’s youngest son, Michael, is the perfect candidate but he wishes to never turn out like his father. The once virtuous and all-seeing Don is later riddled with problems that land him and his family in serious trouble. In the face of danger, the youngest son, Michael, must somehow protect his family legacy from the new drugs business and take care of the other five New York families and inside men from overruling the Corleones.
Starting out as a very successful book, The Godfather was later adapted as a motion picture which became to be known today as one of the greatest movie trilogies of all time. Although it is not as good as the feature film, The Godfather novel includes a more in-depth explanation of the events and history of the mafia family and gives an insight into the motives and transformation of Michael Corleone. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in an epic tale of crime and deceit. People that are fans of mob stories are going to like The Godfather as the author of the story was of Italian descent and knew the origins and traditions of many famous Sicilian families that once ruled America in the 1900s. Puzo’s iconic dialogues, which are still popular today, make an impact on the story’s overall influence of power and deceit. Some of my favorite quotes from the novel include, “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse”, and “Revenge is a dish that tastes best when served cold”. These quotes demonstrate the power and influence the Godfather holds and explain the behavior of the characters. Many scenes that involve these quotes often show the character development throughout the story and explain how the character overcomes the adversity of numerous dangers. This book reveals the true dark depths that the mafia business can take you to, no matter who you are. The reader can often relate to characters such as Michael Corleone but they are then able to see what the tough wars between the mafia do to a normal citizen. The story of family, business, and deceit in the 1940s has taken me to a whole different world that I never knew existed. This novel revolves around many dynamic characters and their actions which shape the society of the New York mafia families. I definitely recommend this book and encourage everyone to read it.
September 9, 2020
Bhadra 24, 2077, Wednesday
The Godfather - Chris Rice (Adapted by), Mario Puzo (1998)
[Penguin Readers Intermediate (Level 4)]
Genres: EnglishGradedReaders/ Fiction/ Adaptation/ Mystery/ Thriller/ Crime Fiction
Pages: 72
Rating: 7/10
Themes: Family/ Criminality/ Lies and Deceit/ Revenge/ Society and Class/ Tradition and Customs/ The Ways of the Mafia/ Perils of Power
Opener:
“On the last Saturday in August 1945, Miss Constanzia Corleone, daughter of Don Vito Corleone, married Carlo Rizzi. Her father had invited hundreds of people to the wedding at his huge house on Long Island, just outside New York. As the guests arrived, Don Corleone welcomed them all, rich and poor, with an equal show of love. Many of the guests had reason to be grateful to Don Corleone for their good luck in life, and they called him 'Godfather' to his face.”
Summary:
The Corleone family fights a mob war with the Five Families of the New York Mafia in the years after World War II. After Don Vito Corleone is shot by men working for drug dealer Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo, Corleone's two sons, Santino ("Sonny") and Michael, must run the family business with the help of consigliere Tom Hagen and the two caporegimes Clemenza and Tessio. When Michael murders Sollozzo and Captain McCluskey, a police officer on the drug lord's payroll, the conflict escalates into a full-scale war which results in Sonny's murder and Michael's promotion to the head of the family. Under his retired father's tutelage, Michael orchestrates a plan to relocate the Corleone family's power base to Las Vegas. This culminates in the murder of all of the family's enemies, including his brother-in-law Carlo Rizzi, who played a part in Sonny's murder.
Verdict:
A story about the transformation of an idealistic man to a Mafia Head, of a one who builds an empire through crime replete with the themes of revenge and lust for power. This crime drama, with dark and believable characters, packs a punch. Seeing the youngest son take revenge in the end on the crime bosses of the five families is satisfying. The book is a thoroughly enjoyable ride, especially as you grapple with your contradicting brain, which wishes to place the patriarch of the Corleone family as a murderer, but the character is so intelligently written that he also feels like a man of honor and integrity.
The Godfather - Chris Rice (Adapted by), Mario Puzo (1998)
[Penguin Readers Intermediate (Level 4)]
Genres: EnglishGradedReaders/ Fiction/ Adaptation/ Mystery/ Thriller/ Crime Fiction
Pages: 72
Rating: 7/10
Themes: Family/ Criminality/ Lies and Deceit/ Revenge/ Society and Class/ Tradition and Customs/ The Ways of the Mafia/ Perils of Power
Opener:
“On the last Saturday in August 1945, Miss Constanzia Corleone, daughter of Don Vito Corleone, married Carlo Rizzi. Her father had invited hundreds of people to the wedding at his huge house on Long Island, just outside New York. As the guests arrived, Don Corleone welcomed them all, rich and poor, with an equal show of love. Many of the guests had reason to be grateful to Don Corleone for their good luck in life, and they called him 'Godfather' to his face.”
Summary:
The Corleone family fights a mob war with the Five Families of the New York Mafia in the years after World War II. After Don Vito Corleone is shot by men working for drug dealer Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo, Corleone's two sons, Santino ("Sonny") and Michael, must run the family business with the help of consigliere Tom Hagen and the two caporegimes Clemenza and Tessio. When Michael murders Sollozzo and Captain McCluskey, a police officer on the drug lord's payroll, the conflict escalates into a full-scale war which results in Sonny's murder and Michael's promotion to the head of the family. Under his retired father's tutelage, Michael orchestrates a plan to relocate the Corleone family's power base to Las Vegas. This culminates in the murder of all of the family's enemies, including his brother-in-law Carlo Rizzi, who played a part in Sonny's murder.
Verdict:
A story about the transformation of an idealistic man to a Mafia Head, of a one who builds an empire through crime replete with the themes of revenge and lust for power. This crime drama, with dark and believable characters, packs a punch. Seeing the youngest son take revenge in the end on the crime bosses of the five families is satisfying. The book is a thoroughly enjoyable ride, especially as you grapple with your contradicting brain, which wishes to place the patriarch of the Corleone family as a murderer, but the character is so intelligently written that he also feels like a man of honor and integrity.
July 5, 2024
The Godfather is a masterfully written epic...at times. The book could have been much improved with the omission of a lot of irrelevant details depicting the life of singer/actor Johnny Fontane and other side stories, including a drawn out story of a woman who had her privates surgically altered. We're going along on a wonderful horrific and mesmerizing tale, living inside a mafia family learning Sicilian culture, our eyes glued to this page-turmer of a great classic story, and then the next chapter we're completely distracted by some rabbit trail which has no bearing at all on the main story, and we don't really know these characters or care what happens. Some of it is downright pornographic, which distracts from the theme of the rest of the the book. These side stories are like fillers in an already long enough book
My other complaint about Puzo's work is more trivial, in that he obviously did not do the math very well, leaving the reader very confused about how old are the main characters in any gien year. For example, the story depicts Michael at age 21 in 1941, having him born in 1920. Later it depicts him as a "toddler" in 1933., which would mean he wouldn't be old enough for WWII. Later we have him born in 1924. Tom Hagen was the exact same age as Sonny, and that he was 35 in 1945, therefore born in 1910. Later we have a 16 year old Sonny in 1933, therefore born in 1917. His birth in 1910 makes no sense anyway because his father Vito was 25 in 1919, and that would mean that Sonny"s birth would be age 16, two years before his marriage. The funniest numbers fudging is Connie, a "toddler of age 4" around 1935, meaning she was only 14 at her marriage at the beginning of the book in 1945. These are only a few examples of numbers fudging found in the book. There are many.
Mario Puzo is an astounding storyteller when he wants to be, and a mediocre beat novelist with sex-filled side stories when he wants to be. It is otherwise a gripping tale where you follow the main characters, actually caring about what happens to them, jumping out of your seat at the right moments. An otherwise great read to say the least, and the character development on on spot with a rare writing skill. For this reason, The Godfather will get 4 stars instead of 3.
My other complaint about Puzo's work is more trivial, in that he obviously did not do the math very well, leaving the reader very confused about how old are the main characters in any gien year. For example, the story depicts Michael at age 21 in 1941, having him born in 1920. Later it depicts him as a "toddler" in 1933., which would mean he wouldn't be old enough for WWII. Later we have him born in 1924. Tom Hagen was the exact same age as Sonny, and that he was 35 in 1945, therefore born in 1910. Later we have a 16 year old Sonny in 1933, therefore born in 1917. His birth in 1910 makes no sense anyway because his father Vito was 25 in 1919, and that would mean that Sonny"s birth would be age 16, two years before his marriage. The funniest numbers fudging is Connie, a "toddler of age 4" around 1935, meaning she was only 14 at her marriage at the beginning of the book in 1945. These are only a few examples of numbers fudging found in the book. There are many.
Mario Puzo is an astounding storyteller when he wants to be, and a mediocre beat novelist with sex-filled side stories when he wants to be. It is otherwise a gripping tale where you follow the main characters, actually caring about what happens to them, jumping out of your seat at the right moments. An otherwise great read to say the least, and the character development on on spot with a rare writing skill. For this reason, The Godfather will get 4 stars instead of 3.
November 7, 2021
Throughout time great leaders have often sought out renowned works of fiction to acquire profound insights into the human mind. Why? Because fiction frees both the writer's and their readers' souls from the constraints of a fact based society and allows them to delve into the potentiality of the human psyche-the primordial battleground between good and evil.
Puzo's 'Godfather' is such a battle. It follows the Corleone family headed by the altruistic and introverted Don Vito Corleone who runs one of New York's greatest mafia enterprises. Among his heirs, he insulates his youngest son Michael and adopted son Tom Hagen from the more dark intricacies of the mafioso world.
Michael, though, is fated to succeed Vito and not on his own terms. He witnesses a destructive Mafia war; arranges and executes the assassination of a recalcitrant and treacherous brother while becoming that which he swore his entire life to avoid-his own father.
The 'Godfather' is resonant today as it was on the day it first hit the market stalls. Michael's baptism of fire and regression into a living hell is equally potent today as when Puzo first conceived it on paper. This is an exceptional work of contemporary fiction which explores the salvation of evil and above all, its necessity in a world seemingly defined by good and beset by do-gooders.
Puzo's 'Godfather' is such a battle. It follows the Corleone family headed by the altruistic and introverted Don Vito Corleone who runs one of New York's greatest mafia enterprises. Among his heirs, he insulates his youngest son Michael and adopted son Tom Hagen from the more dark intricacies of the mafioso world.
Michael, though, is fated to succeed Vito and not on his own terms. He witnesses a destructive Mafia war; arranges and executes the assassination of a recalcitrant and treacherous brother while becoming that which he swore his entire life to avoid-his own father.
The 'Godfather' is resonant today as it was on the day it first hit the market stalls. Michael's baptism of fire and regression into a living hell is equally potent today as when Puzo first conceived it on paper. This is an exceptional work of contemporary fiction which explores the salvation of evil and above all, its necessity in a world seemingly defined by good and beset by do-gooders.
September 8, 2023
Thế giới ngầm được phản ánh trong tiểu thuyết Bố Già là sự gặp gỡ giữa một bên là ý chí cương cường và nền tảng gia tộc chặt chẽ theo truyền thống mafia xứ Sicily với một bên là xã hội Mỹ nhập nhằng đen trắng, mảnh đất màu mỡ cho những cơ hội làm ăn bất chính hứa hẹn những món lợi kếch xù. Trong thế giới ấy, hình tượng Bố Già được tác giả dày công khắc họa đã trở thành bức chân dung bất hủ trong lòng người đọc. Từ một kẻ nhập cư tay trắng đến ông trùm tột đỉnh quyền uy, Don Vito Corleone là con rắn hổ mang thâm trầm, nguy hiểm khiến kẻ thù phải kiêng nể, e dè, nhưng cũng được bạn bè, thân quyến xem như một đấng toàn năng đầy nghĩa khí. Nhân vật trung tâm ấy đồng thời cũng là hiện thân của một pho triết lý rất “đời” được nhào nặn từ vốn sống của hàng chục năm lăn lộn giữa chốn giang hồ bao phen vào sinh ra tử, vì thế mà có ý kiến cho rằng “Bố Già là sự tổng hòa của mọi hiểu biết. Bố Già là đáp án cho mọi câu hỏi”.
January 17, 2024
Initially skeptical due to confusing movies, I found this book to be a revelation with its rich characters, clever backstories, and iconic one-liners, offering a refreshing and calmly-paced exploration of the fast-paced world of the mafia. Providing clarity the movies lacked, it's a must-read for action enthusiasts or those seeking a fresh, old-school perspective on a classic gang story. Opting for the audiobook is recommended; the narration enhances the experience. Despite Puzo's apparent struggle with female characters, it adds a humorous touch without significantly impacting the plot.
May 8, 2022
Много приятна за четене, нямах много непознати думи. Води се ниво B1 и я препоръчвам за хора, които досега не са чели книги на английски.
Не ме трогна като други книги, но не съм я чела с такава цел, затова не съм разочарована, а даже впечатлена, защото не очаквах да ми хареса.
Давам 4 звезди, защото съм доволна, въпреки че е далеч от любимите ми книги
Не ме трогна като други книги, но не съм я чела с такава цел, затова не съм разочарована, а даже впечатлена, защото не очаквах да ми хареса.
Давам 4 звезди, защото съм доволна, въпреки че е далеч от любимите ми книги
January 5, 2025
One of the most gripping books i have ever read!
Simply loved Puzo's writing style for the way characters are established with their backstories, the way the story unfolds with time, it was as if I were watching a several day long movie, rather than reading a book. Some of the events just get imprinted in our minds for a few days.
Simply loved Puzo's writing style for the way characters are established with their backstories, the way the story unfolds with time, it was as if I were watching a several day long movie, rather than reading a book. Some of the events just get imprinted in our minds for a few days.
December 16, 2020
Amazing story. It is always claimed that all the males should read this book, but I believe females can get a lot from the book as well, especially for someone like me, who really love this type of plots.
April 4, 2021
Good story and good explanation of all the characters. There are a lot of characters but you never feel overwhelmed by them all. It gave a good explanation of how the Mafia works while also having a captivating storyline.
March 6, 2022
Easy read. I love reading but for some reason I don’t want to read an 10000 page novel that drags. In a fast paced world I need the story…fast paced. I loved how fast I finished the book. Got the story. Had the famous one liners.
February 11, 2025
I did enjoy this book very much. I know it's a mafia book but dang, the racist bravado is crazy. I love how the author fleshes out the characters. They are a huge part of the story and author is goes above and beyond to reflect that.
November 23, 2019
Thrilling, captivating
January 5, 2020
Greatest of all time
October 17, 2020
As hard as it is to believe, the book is even better than the movie. Must read if you love the movie like I do.
December 4, 2020
the plot is definitely great
January 3, 2021
One of the best books I’ve ever read! It’s absolutely well written and catch the attention, even for the film’s lovers.
March 18, 2021
This book is old, but it takes you for a ride. Brilliant work!
August 13, 2021
Libro impresionante. Los personajes están perfectamente desarrollados y la trama no te deja despegar la vista del libro.
September 27, 2021
Good characters
February 4, 2022
İt did get drag at some points a lot of unnecessary details yet an amazing story that keeps you hooked.
September 4, 2023
One of my favourite books of all time
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews