The Last Don

Rating:
Summary: It's like eating mediocre fast food
Review: The most important thing to know before reading Mario Puzo is that his work, at its best, will be like eating fast food. It has no nutritional (i.e., intellectual) value and you won't think much about it after you're finished, but it can be enjoyable. However, "The Last Don" is like bad fast food. "The Godfather" and "The Sicilian" were 'summer reads,' but they were GOOD summer reads. There was, along with the sex and violence, plot and character development. "The Last Don" instead reads like the winner of a bad Puzo contest. The characters are flat and the plot completely predictable. The sexual imagery is obvious, as if Puzo is following in the footsteps of the authors who followed in his following his earlier works (think Grisham.) In addition, the book is completely unbelievable. I am aware that this is not supposed to be a work of non-fiction, but good fiction requires some element of credibility. The Mafia of which Puzo writes disappeared with Joe Valachi (The Valachi Papers). The criminal geniuses that Puzo seems to believe are in charge are long gone, having been replaced by common street thugs in expensive suits. The various DAs and US Attorneys in the New York area have said that the Mafia is in a state of entropy, as no one follows the codes of omerta and "ethics" anymore. Apparently, the Mafia lacks the brainpower to keep the businesses it has, much less run studios and casinos. I guess, however, that Puzo has no interest in writing about the decline of the industry that has provided him his livelihood. Puzo is like the Rolling Stones. Both were once great (around 1972), and still sell a lot, but they're not what they used to be. Read "The Godfather," listen to "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out," and remember what used to be.

Rating:
Summary: Very entertaining, but also very believable.
Review: This is actually the first time that I've read a Mario Puzo book. The Last Don proved to be one of those rare books where the reader might think of the characters or the plot during the day at work or school, and gets excited to read home at night. I was sad about what happened to Pippi because not only did I think that he was the most interesting character in the story, but also that the plot revolved around him. But I guess his character had nowhere else to go. To conclude, let me just say that I am looking forward to my next Mario Puzo novel.

Rating:
Summary: This is a great book, almost as good as the Godfather
Review: Puzo is able to craft such a realistic view of Mafia life, he is by far the best Mafia writer of all time. You'd think that he is a member, because he seems to know every little tidbit of that brutal life. He is able to convey the importance of decisions by mafiosi as being life and death situations, also conveying the brutal consecuences of those decisions. Although it is more brutal than the Godfather, one cannot say it is a piece of Hollywood excess because, unlike Hollywood action movies, the plot is solid and the characters are real-life, not superficial. Although it is not better than the Godfather, this book is great in its own way. For example, the Last Don's characters are much more interesting than those of the Godfather. Dante's character alone, with his weird abnormalities(the funny hats he wears) and fierce brutality(his utter desire for rough sex) keeps you glued to the book. This is a definite must-read for Mafia fans!!

Rating:
Summary: Good Read - Entertaining Story!!
Review: Mario Puzo writes a very convincing and entertaining portraitof the mafia, Vegas, & Hollywood. Puzo weaves his characters intoa memorable story plot. I was surprised at the plots unraveling truth about Clericuzio and Santadio War. I have always enjoyed Mario Puzo's books and this one is no excpetion. "The Fortunate Pilgram" is my favorite from Mario's collection.

Rating:
Summary: Makes the Godfather look like a SISSY
Review: Mario Puzo at his best in this saga of the modern mob. The plot in this fast-paced novel revolves around Cross De Lena in gagsters paradise Las Vegas. This novel is a must read for any true Mob lover. Puzo has went above and beyond The Godfather in this sometime harsh and sometime touching novel. This novel could not render anything less than a 9 but in my mind it is a 10. A book for not the faint of heart but full of heart

Rating:
Summary: Lots of Memorable Characters
Review: Puzo can throw dozens of diverse characters at you with theodds that each will be memorable. He is excellent at skirting thegrey edge of good and evil. Cross, our hero, can be hellish, while Dante, the evil cousin, will evoke some empathy. The true delight is the Don, who's view of justice is portrayed as rational, despite the carnage. It is the film industry and various Las Vegas wheeler-dealers who become the true villains. Puzo offers a different glimpse of Hades. Enjoy the trip!

Rating:
Summary: I should've borrowed and not buy the book!!
Review: Its so disappointing!!!! The characters are so comical (come one... what funny names), under-developed, plot (what plot?) unconvincing. This book does not even come half an inch near the greatness of The Godfather. I hope Mr Puzo didn't write The Last Don so that he can make it into a movie. I enjoyed The Godfather and The Sicilian, but this one, I'd just put it in a box and forget about it

Rating:
Summary: Read like a Puzo/Harrold Robins joint effort
Review: The book was a very good read. thoroughly enjoyed it. Shocking,twisted family secret at the end. Two questions Mario; How could Pipinot have expected and anticipated what happened given the role he played. He ought to have known that (HE) was going to eventually come for him. Secondly, are you sure that you do not have anything against African Americans? I found it disconcerting that your characters could not speak disparingly and comtemptuosly of Blacks enough. Gee! Mario didn't speak those bad things about Blacks, his characters did ! Hmmmmm.

Rating:
Summary: Mafia Rules Our World!
Review: This book is not only an excellent mob read, it also describes in full details the business of Hollywood and Las Vegas. This book could also be classified as a non-fiction novel because it explains in details what happens in Hollywood when major directors are shooting a movie that is ment to go wrong, or even better, how the mafia is able to make a Communion or a Confirmation (read the book, you'll understand) without anyone knowing about it. It is a great page-turner that sinks even better as the end gets nearer. This is another success from the writer of Godfather. Don't miss it

Rating:
Summary: Better than "The Godfather"?
Review: I loved "The Godfather", but after reading "The Last Don," I can't decide which one is better. I could hardly put the book down, and I didn't want it to end. I found it fascinating, and I also found it a bit more suspenseful than "The Godfather." I can't wait for the mini-series, although I wish they would have made it into a big theater production. I loved the book so much that I will probably read it again soon