Mario Puzo (1920–1999)

"Friendship is everything. Friendship is more than talent. It is more than the government. It is almost the equal of family."

The Godfather turned out being much better than I anticipated. Originally being in a long list of books I would "eventually get to," I only picked it up because it was on the floor near me when I was also on the floor organizing the book closet. Needing a break (and being lazy as usual), I decided to randomly start reading the first page. What drew me in wasn't the show more story nor even the opening - it was the writing style. I found out quickly that I LOVE Puzo's writing style. There's something about the way he crafts his words, blends them together, always to the point, never going into poetic territory but somehow always hanging over the brink of it.

The story told is a well known because of the movies. Generally I don't mention the movie form much in book reviews, but with The Godfather it's inevitable and the review wouldn't be the same without it. The story stays with the same and the adaption to the movie is spot on. They changed little, even keeping most of the dialogue and order identical for the scenes including. The exception is the flashbacks of Vito Corleone's early life, and there were of course some smaller scenes which weren't included in the movie for time and pacing sake.

Switching point of view among many can be problematic for readers (especially me, too frequent head hopping is always a pet peeve), but with this case the hopping only happens when it makes sense and is done subtly and effectively. The tale is a traditional one with extra punch - the son who doesn't want to become the father, the importance of family, and the struggles of power. I found the theories of the Italian mindset and mafia goals added into the story fascinating, a cultural difference in society that I never personally encountered (and doubtfully ever will.)

When a story has a villain, villains are usually more effective and enjoyable when they are three dimensional (they have good traits as well) Much of the book explains the godfathers mindset, reasoning, philosophies, and strict sense of his version of honor. It's not done in a preachy way; in fact, interestingly no other viewpoint is ever seen, experienced, or given from opposing characters.

The slow ascension into power by Michael Corleone is powerful. Even if the book has some slow scenes and isn't gripping in an action sense, it doesn't need to be as it's clearly a drama filled tale. Michael is realistic as the son who wishes to set apart with his own future, pulled in eventually by honor learned after tainting himself. Vito is equally fascinating with his past, his present, his philosophies. I really hold no bad thoughts toward any of the characters and when their viewpoints are used.

It's easy seeing why this one became such a seller and was made successfully into a popular movie. Even if the cultural presence isn't a reality we all personally experience, it's easily understood and to a point agreed with. The struggle among father and son and setting a person's own path is an age old story always enjoyed as it DOES affect people even today and always will. show less

I thought the movie would prepare me for reading this book. Its a favorite of mine, so I knew I would enjoy the book...but I was really taken by surprise with how involved I got with it.

My great and abiding love for Al Pacino blinded me to the real genius of the plot I think, at least to some extent. I automatically assumed my favorite character would be Michael...but I'm not sure that he was. I loved his character, don't get me wrong. There is just so much going on in this book, its hard show more to narrow down specific things to marvel about; the whole thing was brilliant.

Nuances of thought in the main characters and personal identities of the side characters get lost in movies, and those things really add to the experience of reading the book. Learning more about everyone, not just the Family, made it so much more of an epic story.

One of my favorite parts of Puzo's brilliant writing was the way he could make the "Creepy Carleone" smile come alive. I got an actual mild case of the chills every time he described Vito and Michael pulling one.

I also loved the way Michael learned about the history of the Mafia while he was living in Sicily. I think its completely understandable that the Mafia was born to try to protect the Sicilians from their corrupt government. Even the Familes in America only strive to do the same thing. You can't really fault their reasoning I don't think. I'm not saying I'm going to go hunt down an Italian family and prostrate myself before them...I'm just saying that I get where the Mafia folks are coming from to a certain extent.

Anyway, it is a fantastic story and I'm glad I read it instead of just being satisfied with the movie. As much as I love my Al Pacino, I still have to say that as great as the movie is...the book kicks its ass. show less

This novel presents well-observed and well-drawn characters, valuable information, and a wonderful narrative of family history, unfolding the saga of Mafia vendettas traveling between Sicily and America in the 20th century. Ancestral force, family bonds, Sicilian manhood, loyalty, and betrayal are central themes. Puzo's narrative has a slyly intelligent way of communicating hypocrisy, lies, and transactional undercurrents. The story bears out its epigraph from Balzac that behind every great show more fortune there is crime, and implies that robber barons, big business, police forces, and governments operate on principles not different from those of organized crime. For the Mafia, personal demonstrations of the power to impose one's will and to inspire fear are essential. This novel devotes some attention to analyzing the roots of the Mafia in rural Sicilian poverty and the history of Sicily as an Eden ruled by a succession of overlords. Food, passion, fatalism, and instinctive violence rule the feudalistic ethnic culture depicted here. show less

Mario Puzo is the absolute master of gangster novels. His ability to create gritty, realistic Mafia families and characters is at a level that is second to none. A departure from the Corleone family, this time the Mafia family are Clericuzios, primarily based in New York but branching out their operations to Las Vegas and Hollywood in an attempt to find legitimacy. Don Domenico Clericuzio has given this task to his nephew Cross De Lena. Cross brings his street instincts and Mafia show more sensibilities to these locales.

Anytime I read a Mario Puzo novel, I’m always struck by his professionalism and the quality of his prose. As a fellow writer, I have nothing but respect for his ability and try to emulate him when possible. The prose in this novel is at the same level of excellence that I have come to expect. The world building and characterization is top notch. The novel is a bit slow at times, and doesn’t have the same level of intrigue as the Godfather. All the same, it has a strong build and a satisfying ending. If you like gangster novels, this is definitely a book that you will want to read.

Carl Alves – author of Blood Street show less