Mario Puzo (1920–1999)

Until I opened up the book, I was a Corleone virgin. I have never seen any of the movies. Until this point, I had an inkling about the story line but could not tell you what happens at any point in time or why. Like most Americans over a certain age, I could recite certain lines from the movie but without understanding their true significance. I even knew of a few key scenes that occur but again without any sort of context to them. My decision to read the book versus watching the movie stems show more from my belief that books are always better than their visual counterparts and because I found it easier to get my hands on a copy of the book versus tracking down a copy of the movie. While The Godfather appears to be one of the few books that pales in comparison to its movie version, I am so glad I first read it. Without prior knowledge of the story, I could better appreciate the cold calculations and deception required to reign in the world of the Mafia. The juxtaposition of Don Corleone’s compassion for his family and his ruthless business sense was striking. What was even more apparent is the insidiously brilliant way in which Don Corleone built up his network of followers. The story itself is complex enough to be able to appreciate the time Mr. Puzo took to set the stage for later events. Now, when I watch the movie for the first time, I can appreciate the performances rather than worry about following the plot.

For those who are like me and are Corleone virgins, I say that it is a scenario you should remedy immediately. The story is absolutely outstanding; the complexities of the family bonds, the strength of those bonds, the power, the money, the battle for supremacy, the cold-bloodedness are realistic and awe-inspiring. Mr. Puzo makes the Mafia likable or at least sympathetic in their drive for power and their unusual opinions about laws and regulations. The Corleone family is a family like no other, and The Godfather gives readers a glimpse into their privileged and surreal world that is just breathtaking. show less

I still love this book! On second read, I did notice some things that irk me (refer to a young woman's body as "ripe" one more time, Puzo, why don't you?), but I'd still highly recommend this to just about anyone. Puzo reveals a gaping absence in literature in this portrait of his mother. Lucia Santa is a woman unlike any other that I've read-- absolutely ruthless in how she cares for her loved ones.

On a less important note: Puzo is the king of food descriptions. More than two years after my show more first read, I could still vividely recall his narration on a piece of bread speckled with balsamic and olive oil. That's what made me decide to pick it back up in the first place. Peak! show less

A terrorist group murders the Pope in the Vatican. On the same day, the daughter of Francis Xavier Kennedy, the President of the United States, is abducted in Rome by members of the same terrorist group. Kennedy's daughter is brought the oil-country of Sherhaben where she is held hostage. When President Kennedy learns of the abduction he is willing to do everything in his power to get his daughter back. The terrorist Yabril, however, has different plans and kills Kennedy's daughter in front show more of TV cameras in order to make a statement. From there on the story unfolds. How will the US act? How will Kennedy act personally? What will happen to the terrorists? What will happen to the Sultanate of Sherhaben which backed the terrorists?

Puzo's The Fourth K follows president Francis Xavier Kennedy, a cousin of JFK, through the final part of his first term in office and the bid to his re-election for a second term. At the same time it explores the different forces of influence on power in America. There is the so-called Socrates Club of the one-hundred most influential and wealthy men in the US, there is Olliver Ollifant, called the Oracle, who has just turned one-hundred years old and wields more power than any man in the Socrates Club, there are the foreign terrorists, and eventually there is President Kennedy and the other politicians who want to set the course of the American future as they see fit. The different factions all have their own agendas, some hidden and some very open.

What I like about the novel are the different perspectives and the interplay between the different groups who want to get a grasp on or maintain their grasp on power. The novel was a very entertaining read and a real page-turner towards the end. What bugged me, though, was the many spelling mistakes. It might just have been my edition, but this edition could have benefited from more serious editing. As this was only a minor distraction in an otherwise enjoyable novel: 3.5 stars. show less

The Godfather movie is absolutely fantastic. It's a classic, and it's one of those stories where one instantly gets sucked in despite themselves, into a world many couldn't imagine but for some reason want to attend regardless of the senseless violence and extreme business principles. I saw it before I read the book, something I detest doing, and was petrified to embark on the literary side of the story with the idea that no way would it live up to the movie (I know, what the heck was I show more thinking?). I did, however, plunge in, and it was absolutely stupendous. Puzo does magic here and keeps readers on the edge as they spiral into the Corleone family's world, in the heart of New York Italian Mafia. I want to read this book again just thinking about it. Don't let the tremendous level of hype discourage you; it's well deserved. show less