Rating: 
Summary: A phenomenal book to go with a phenomenal movie!
Review: If you've seen the movie The Godfather, then Francis Ford Coppola, Marlon Brando, and Al Pacino struck you with greatness. Now its time to buy and read Mario Puzo's all time classic and be blown away all over again. But if you're expecting a peaceful read that you can relax at night and read before sleep you'd be sadly mistaken.Puzo's classic novelization of the mafia saga of Vito and Michael Corrleone is a must for every literate in the world. Between these covers are tales of crime, corruption, savage murder, love, drugs, Las Vegas, triumph, tragedy, and Vito Corrleone's rise as the nation's greatest Mafia kingpin. And all these stories are written with fiery intensity and passion that brings the characters to life in ways few authors can. Puzo writes this book so well that you will cringe in horror at the savage and corrupt ways of the Sicilian mafia, and all the terrible things that the members of these Mafia families will do. So if you've seen the movie and was simply blown away or if you're just a fan of good reading that brings the characters out of the pages of the book and leaves them stamped in your mind then here is an offer you can't refuse; buy it now, and enjoy some of the greatest literature EVER!
Rating:
Summary: One Of The Greatest Novels Ever Written
Review: How often does one read a novel that takes you on a trip as though you were there, side by side, with the characters of the book? Unfortunately, not very often. Surely they're mostly fictious creations from human minds, often forgotten about after the last page is turned. However, The Godfather is a different issue. This book is as engaging as the movie is, and the characters come out with as much punch and realism as depicted by Brando, Pacino, De Niro, Caan, Duvall and Cazale. That's the first thing that makes this book so wonderful...the characters are so real and entirely believable, almost as though Vito or Michael or anyone of the Corleones took you by the hand and pulled you into their lives. Secondly, the book is incredibely eloquent and beautifully written, in a style that is often subject to emulation and envy, probably by Mario Puzo himself. None of his books come out as electrifying as this. The Last Don, Omerta, The Fortunate Pilgrim, The Sicilian...all these make good reads, but none are as memorable or as moving. Finally, on a much more personal note, everyone I know who has read this book (including myself) were left begging for more. It ended too soon, and I believe it would have ended too soon had Puzo wrote another four hundred pages. It is impossible to have enough of this book. Unarguably, the best novel about the Mafia, and definitely my favourite book.
Rating: 
Summary: WOW am is surprised
Review: I've never seen the godfather films just know roughly what it was so I was greatly impressed with the complexity of this book and the feeling that Puzo puts into his characters. My biggest problem with this book is that I feel that it wasn't a closed chapter and it left me wanting more. I know that the family could technically carry on forever but the ending that he gave it is a little too fairytail for me. but overall a hugely entertaining read and a new favorite of mine.
Rating:
Summary: A Read You Can't Refuse!!!
Review: Not many works of fiction can claim to have significantly changed the face of American culture; Mario Puzo's classic novel The Godfather is surely one of those. Look at the evidence: This book (and the wonderful cinematic counterpart) reintroduced the gangster as an American icon. It helped to spawn entire new genres in fiction and films. (Some critics suggest there should be an entirely new designation for this genre and have dubbed it "The Eastern".) Of course, it introduced that classic catchphrase "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse." Finally, it introduced one of the great heroic criminals into literature in the person of Don Vito Corleone (a character reportedly based on Puzo's own mother). Yes, it is true that the movie and not the novel must take much of this credit, but this work is hardly the two-star pulp trash that a few misguided critics have made it to be. It's solid all the way through, particularly the fabulous portrayals of the ruthless gentleman Don Vito and his family, epecially the sons: hotheaded Sonny (whose penchant for needless violence proves fatal), cowardly Freddie (who is spooked by the Don's near-assasination and runs away to Las Vegas), and, most memorably, cool, reserved Michael (who, in the end, proves a tactical genius truly worthy to be called his father's son.) Also, don't forget the fabulous cast of supporting characters: singers Johnny Fontaine and Nino Valenti (read: Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin), and the many minor players such as Luca Brasi and Amerigo Bonserai, who literally owe their very existence to the Don's generosity. And the women!!! Such marvels of strength, tenacity and character presented in blindly obidient Connie, questioning Kay, and the Don's own wife, who knows much more than she reveals. Her tutoring of Kay into the Sicilian way of life ends the book on a high note. Puzo makes these character studies work because he gives each person his own little spotlight; by chapter's end, you know why each one has chosen to become a family member or confidant. The chapters showing the Don's rise to power, subsequent fall, and rebirth are the highpoints of the book, as the newer, more ruthless families seek to destroy the Corleone's sacred honor by forcing them into trafficking drugs. Yes, in the end, it is Michael who prevails, but the action is so good that the climax is not spoiled by knowing the outcome in advance. The reader will want to visit this novel time and again for it's unique perspectives on honor, justice, and The American Dream.
Rating:
Summary: Blueprint for a couple of great movies
Review: "The Godfather" is one of the VERY rare examples of a movie (and sequel) that are actually better than the book they are based on. Upon first release, the book was a massive bestseller, more because it is an easy read than because it is great literature. What it is primarily useful for now is as a means of filling in details that the first two Godfather films didn't have time to cover even with their considerable length. Such detail includes the background story of Johnny Fontaine, the Frank Sinatra-esque entertainer who is a loyal Godson. Also fleshed out are the characters of the loyal hitman Luca Brazzi and of Sonny's mistress, who would become the mother of Michael's eventual successor as Don in "Godfather Part 3." There is also more information about Moe Green and the feud over the Corleone move to Nevada. Puzo is an effective storyteller and he keeps things moving along at a snappy pace. The Don of the book doesn't seem larger than life the way Marlon Brando does in the movie. "The Godfather" is often described as a "trash" novel, but reading would be a lot more fun if all such novels were as good as this one.
Rating:
Summary: Sweet!
Review: This book is so sweet, it gave me a tooth ache. Killing, Sex, an excellent plot. Hard to do. There are so many characters, and you come to know many of them. Great book!
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: Seeing how I not seen the movie I decide to read the book. What a awesome book. For those of you who have seen the movie read the book. I just finish watching the movie and it was good, but the book in itself is awesome. The movie didnt give you that feel, that you knew what the Sonny and the Don were thinking. That is what made the book wonderful. I must say read this. you will not be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Read
Review: I saw the movies before I read the book and this made me even more anxious to read it and see what was different and if any of Part II was included in the book. I'm not really big on reading so it takes a lot to keep me interested. And Puzo did just that. I read this book in about 4 days. You would think that it would be hard for me to read since I already knew what was gonna happen. But that just shows what a great job Puzo did in writing this book. If you like to read or just like things involving the Mafia or organized crime then this is a must have for you. Great book, best one I have ever read! This makes me want to read every other Mario Puzo book and thats what Im gonna do!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Read
Review: Mario Puzo is truly a gifted writer. In the Godfather, he was able to mix an outstanding story line into characters that were extremely lifelike. As you read farther and farther into the book, I could feel the intensity rise as the Corleone saga continued. The Godfather is one of the few books that I couldn't put down. I wanted to turn to the next page before I was finished with the one I was on.
The Godfather was the first of its kind. Others have tried to imitate such a novel, but no one can match to Mario Puzo's writing skills. Mario Puzo is an outstanding writer and I think that he has given a gift to the world through the Godfather novel.
Mario Puzo's characters were as real as they come. The realationships between the Don and his family gave you a number of feelings. There were those that he didn't trust, and those that he would give his life for. The Godfather's characters brought you into the story and gave more meaning to it. I would recomend anyone to read this book, as it truly is amazing.
Rating:
Summary: Masterpiece
Review: What can I say about The Godfather that hasn't already been said? Absolutely outstanding! This book is amazing in every way, a real page-turner. I give it a perfect score, *****!
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