Rating: 
Summary: Two and One Half Stars
Review: I read the reviews set forth here and wonder, what would the overall slant be if this book had not been made into one of the greatest movies ever made? Certainly, the reviews would not be as favorable and, most certainly, there would not be as many reviews. Everyone wanted to read the book after they saw the movie, and did. The movie is what it is, incredible, and the book is what it is, so-so.This was the first adult book that I read as a child and I loved it. I read it again only a few years ago and still enjoyed it. Mr Puzo spins a wonderful tale. The family is wonderfully defined and presented. The story is a good story, not great. Because there are no good guys in this story, the reader cheers for the Corleone family, a very bad group, that goes about doing bad things to other bad guys with a moral code that only gangsters and murderers can understand. The book loses direction in Las Vagas. What ever crossed the author's mind when writing this section I will never be able to fathom. It is boring, unsexy and too long. Might have three or three and half stars if this sidetrack was ommited. That being said, I thank the book Gods for publishing this. For if this had not hit the book stands, we would never had the the sensation of viewing what I belive to be two of the greatest films over made: The Godfather and The Godfather Part II. So my hat is tipped in reverence to Mr. Puzo. Read the book, you will have fun with it. See the movies and you will be incredibly awed.
Rating: 
Summary: Cynical, cheesy potboiler stuff
Review: The Godfather was a great movie. The first sequel is the second greatest American movie after Citizen Kane. But the novel is [bad]. The sex and violence are the point, whereas in the films family and honor and corruption were just a few of the points. The novel is written amateurishly and comes off as just sleazy. I was curious after having seen the films so many times without reading the book, and I couldn't believe that such good adaptations could come from such junk!
Rating: 
Summary: A Fantastic Tale About Utterly Despicable People
Review: In case you've just arrived from Mars, this is the story of an organized crime family in 1940s New York, coupled with flashbacks and other expository information that weaves rich plots and scenarios. The character and tale development is absolutely riveting. And it's a somewhat sympathetic presentation of mob family life, told fairly objectively -- which leaves the reader to draw his/her own conclusions about these sorts of people. Their lifestyle arose in Italy, when the government was so corrupt that folks turned to powerful/wealthy families for assistance in obtaining justice. In time, and following migration to other countries, the rule of law expanded -- but these powerful families did not go away. They continued strong-arming others as they'd been doing, shaking down merchants and extorting money from businesses, skimming income from gambling and prostitution operations. Still retaining the trappings of honor, such as fine clothing, jewelry, housing and autos, they reveal themselves to be plain old thieves and murderers, worthy of nothing but contempt and many years in prison. Young readers might think it's a "neat" lifestyle -- hey, nobody bosses ME around -- but it's actually just plain old crime, and the perpetrators are all completely despicable. But again, it's a terrific story. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: wonderful
Review: i saw the movie first, and it become one of my favorites, then decided to get the book out of summer boredom. i was probably the best book i've ever read. it provide more information on the characters in the movie. not only this but mario puzo really seemed to take the time to develope each character, there are a ton of characters in the book and they all have a personality of their own i can't remeber the last time i read a book where the author cared this much about his characters. the godfather is a classic story and everyone who enjoys reading or watching about the mob should read it!!!
Rating:
Summary: The Godfather
Review: This is the book by which all other novels in the same genre are judged, but few can compare to it. This is also the first book which introduced me to the facinating life of organized crime, which has become normal in America. This is also the first book which introduced me to Puzo's other works, which are equally amazing as his most famous one. But be advised: this book is not for you if you do not share an interest in the mafia or organized crime.
Rating:
Summary: An offer you cant refuse
Review: I read this book in 2 days. It's wonderful to read it and watch the movie again. It describes the characters more and gives you insight into some of the characters whose names are not revealed in the movie. It also adds more plot lines. This is a MUST read for anyone who likes Mafia and crime books.
Rating:
Summary: CLASSIC
Review: If you're a fan of mafia genre movies than this book will be extremely entertaining bedtime reading.
Rating:
Summary: an offer no one should refuse
Review: The Godfather, both in print and on screen, is the greatest story ever told. The Godfather, the novel, is really interesting, and provides a great insight into what the characters feel, think and expereince. It also gives more information about Luca Brasi, Tom Hagen and many other people that were barely or not at all portrayed in the movie. I reccomend seeing the movie before reading the novel, because it gives you a clear picture of most of the events in the book, and it also allows you to visualize the characters in a better way. The Godfather tied up many loose ends and questions that I had after seeing the movie, and it made the plots and people much easier to comprehend. In addition to all of this, it is a beautiful novel (a bit racy- it goes into graphic detail about the relationship between Santino and Lucy Manelli (please excuse my horrendous spelling) and the flings that Johnny Fontane had. I was kind of bored by the extra Johnny Fontane plot, but the novel was, for the most part, very exiting. The Godfather is a great cinematic acheivement, as well as a great book. Everyone should experience this work of art.
Rating:
Summary: Among the greatest novels of all-time; a masterpiece
Review: Out of 100 people 90 have heard of Mario Puzo's "The Godfather". If you haven't, then you are missing the best book I have ever read that grabs a top 10 spot (number 1?) among the greatest novels of all-time. Later a brilliant film, "The Godfather" is the tale of a mob boss' son who, until now, was innocent but is forced to join the family business after his father is critically wounded in a hit from an enemy gang. Brilliant; Puzo has created a masterpiece of modern fiction. A must-read. I also highly recommend the film.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: To sum it all up The Godfather is basically a sympathetic portrayal of the Mafia. It tells the story of two generations of a New York family, with all their ups and downs. Though it's my understanding that this book isn't a very accurate portrayal of the mob--not in 1945 (when the story begins), and definitely not now--The Godfather is still a terrific story. It has unique characters, all beautifully described in great detail, a wonderful plot, and is certainly worth reading more than once. It is also definitely vastly superior to the movie--especially the sequels.
Though the film does follow the book quite closely, minor changes were made, (who gets killed when, where information came from, baptism instead of a confirmation, and others), and it leaves out a lot. Many significant scenes [beating up the men who assaulted Bonasera's daughter, the death of the Don's former chief consultant, Johnny's recovery, to name a few], and characters, some not given enough detail others totally omitted, [Albert Neri--an ex-cop who becomes a hit-man for the Corleones, an ostracized doctor turned abortionist who comes to work for the family in Nevada and helps get Fontane fixed, and more] weren't included, and a lot of biographical information--Hagen's specifically--isn't shown. Most important, the movie ends the story at least one chapter to early, consequently ruining, in my opinion, the ending and inevitably all the sequels that were made.
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