The Godfather

Rating:
Summary: A true American Classic
Review: The Godfather is a true classic and the first mafia novel of it's kind. This is the book which spawned the muti-Academy Award winning movie of the same name and it's equaly as popular sequels. This is the stoy of Don Vito Coleone the aging head of one of New York's five mafia familes. The book also describes the lifes of the Don's offspring in an equally amazing fashion. The Godfather has an array of unforgettable characters such as the Don's eldest son the hot-head Sonny Coleone, the singer/actor Johnny Fontane, and the infamous Luca Brazi. The books also takes the reader to the depths of New York's underworld and to the beautiful Sicilian countryside. The novel although extremely violent at times (it should be expected in a Mafia novel) is a must read for any Mafia fan, especially if you loved the movie.

Rating:
Summary: Mafia Saga
Review: Mario Puzo's The Godfather started America's fascination with the Mafia. Prior to the book, most people didn't know about this subculture. We knew about gangsters like Al Capone and the like, but not about the families. As we all know, The Godfather is about the Corleone family lead by the Don Vito Corleone. The book follows the path of The Godfather Saga movie which combines the two movies in a more chronological pattern. If you've seen the movies, you can see that they follow the book quite closely. Most of what happens in the movies unfolds in the book. The difference between the two is that the book fleshes out lesser characters like Luca Brassi and explains situations like how Michael gets back to America from Italy that due to time constraints, the movie can't into. If you loved the movies, then you'll love the book.

Rating:
Summary: Captivating...Simple...
Review: If you manage to put down the book before reading at least 50 pages, e-mail me. this book has everything. Corruption. Murders. The Heroes saving the world against villains. Puzo takes you to the most outrageous places. those places you never wanted to go. things you never wanted to hear about people. Then there's the Godfather, Don Vito. An equally inspiring and the re-incarnation of god himself. This book is a must for anyone. It gives equal opportunity for the reader to take part in the wars between the Mafia family. Puzo tells the story from different perspectives, views. Through the eyes of the innocent, youngest brother Michael. through the eyes of the people caught up between the fights. Get this Book. You want regret it

Rating:
Summary: 2 and a half stars
Review: THIs book is my first Puzo book, i am half disappointed. I mean, the first half of the book was just splendid, good characters and plot. However, Puzo suddenly lost his touch in the second half of this book. He started telling us details about characters who barely play any role in the 'Godfather' story. All of a sudden, all the characters began to change, like they were being written by another guy, not Puzo. THe characters were all different. A good, kind, gentle guy, who knew nothing about mafia kind of warfare, suddenly became a coldblooded, mafia boss, who knew everything and everything about how to be just a perfect mafia boss. The second half of the book became boring. i don't recommend this book, but i recommend the movie though!

Rating:
Summary: Here's an offer you can't refuse...
Review: What a fantastic book! I can't say enough positive things about it. Puzo's character development draws you in & makes you care about him irrepespective of his place in the storyline. If you are a fan of the Godfather movies, then I highly recommend reading the book that started it all. Although the movie was pretty true to the book, it didnt quite do justice. Reading this book is your chance to gain better insight into Don Corleone & his dealings.

Rating:
Summary: The Godfather
Review: I thought The Godfather was a great book. It kept the reader interested. I liked how Michael didn't want to be part of the family business and at the end took control. Each brother had their own characteristics and everyone in the family business completed it. It was neat how so many people had so much respect for The Don and how so many people went to him for help. I also liked how things were done so fast. When someone needed to be killed it was set up so carefully and done so clean. It kind of disapointed me how Michael started treating his wife, Kay. He shouldn't of lied about killing Connies husband. Everyone watched each others back in this book and if they screwed up they were killed. My favorite part was when the directer wouldn't give the part to that man and nothing would convince him until the horses head was cut off and put in his bed. There is so much power in that business. I also liked how that book was written. each section it put a new persons view and kind of a new story but it all linked together. Overall I thought The Godfather was a great book and I recomend it for everyone doesn't and does like to read.

Rating:
Summary: A Real Classic
Review: The Godfather, by Mario Puzo, is a story about an Italian Mafia family, in America and how that family used their power and money to influence and control their surroundings. Mario Puzo paints a brilliant picture of the corruptness and heartache, through his description of the Corleone family centered on the Godfather. The Godfather, who at first thought, creates an angelic and peaceful picture of a man to which a child seeks guidance from, but in reality he is a very dark and cynical man. One actually begins to fall in love with the fiction character, even though he is the persona of evil. This character is very much the opposite of most characters in books, for in those books they are centered on a hero and his unquestionable acts. Perhaps one of the most vivid and extreme situations in the Godfather, was Puzo's graphic and detailed accounts of violence and sex. This however, isn't too distasteful and does not draw the reader away from important concepts and ideas. Mario Puzo was born and raised in West Manhattan, in a neighborhood known today as Hells Kitchen. Growing up in a very poor and violent neighborhood is what many critics think provoked him into writing about the Mafia. Puzo's experiences living in such an area in America, helped him to know how controlling and powerful the Mafia actually was. Throughout The Godfather, many brilliant ideas and concepts were presented, but according to some critics there were many down sides and low points to it. Fred L. Gurdaphe states that," the image of the honest, hardworking Italian immigrant family portrayed by Fante, Di Donito, and Mangrone as a community united against an alien and often hostile outside world is abandoned for the portrayal of family able to gain power through any means-legal or illegal-necessary to control their environment." Another critical reception from John Sutherland stated that," Puzo's straight forward narrative reveals the indomitable influence of money and the necessity of violence for the survival of the self-made individual." Though these criticisms are valid and make a point that the Godfather shows people the necessity of violence, it doesn't tell that in America, the Mafia uses violence to get what they want. A quote that shows how powerful the Mafia around the Godfather is," my boss has a lot of friends who back his judgment." This shows that overall, the Godfather had a huge influence on people around him. "I made him an offer he couldn't refuse," is one of the most famous quotes of The Godfather and is an overall quote that shows influence of money and power. Before going out and purchasing this book, one must note that there are some scenes that have very descriptive adjectives and these scenes may not be suitable for all readers. Also a person needs to note that they must have a lot of free time on their hands before they go out and purchase The Godfather, because it is very hard, if not impossible to put down.

Rating:
Summary: Beyond the Movie, It is Genius
Review: Many have seen the film, some have heard of the book. To someone with no knowledge of Italian American culture or the values that comprise it this book is a miracle. Yes , there is crime and murder but placed in a setting that puts the core values of Italians on a plate for all to see. An organization dedicated to aiding where the American legal system is unable to is a very appealing ideal indeed. Loyalty, honor and fairness are all emphasised while drugs, corruption and easy money are despised. Beyond all else there is a true lesson to be learned from this novel. Though America opens its gates to everyone, it has allowed no allowance for foreign culture with foreign languages to assimilate America as is. Thusly, behind the language barrier, anything can happen, New rules are devised which are non-standard with American law and these cultures become a law unto themselves. Puzo says much with this book and everyone will profit in one way or another from reading it.

Rating:
Summary: CLASSIC!
Review: This book is IMO and American classic and one that I enjoy reading over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: the best of the bests
Review: If I use any words, more poetic it could be, for discribe the wanders I capt of this mensage from The Godfather, surely I would not succede. I am sure that planty of people shere this feeling with me, if you ever read this book you must agree, but what is real important is that if you didn't you must do it urgently. Don Vito is an exemple of mathematics perfection, he is completely logical, and all of his procedures acord with his logic. It is impossible criticise all of the history, but it is too easy missunderstand many things that are writen. You can take thousands of lesons about how to behave againist many situation or negotiation in your privet life, and even when you loose your mind and explode in a discussion just to force your point, you will remind Don Vito and make your self-critic. If there is one thing I can tell you, this is: Please read this book urgently, and if you want to, send me your thoghts about it. I wish you have a happy new year...