Rating: 
Summary: Does Not Disappoint
Review: I came to read 'The Godfather' after recently viewing the classic film series about a mafia family, the Corleones, and their stuggle for power and survival in the face of the violent world of crime to which they belong. I was hoping that the book would expand on the characterisations and plot lines portrayed on the screen. The book did not disappoint. It is fast paced, full of suspense, and develops a host of interesting characters.The central character is Don Vito Corleone, the head of the Corleone family. He is the 'Godfather', a powerful patriarch who has refused to allow society to bend him to its will. Instead he has constructed his own society where 'respect', 'honour', and above all 'family' are the key notes. But this Sicilian counter-culture is a violent one, and power has its price. Don Corleone is the victim of an assassination attempt which threatens the destruction of all he holds dear. The most pleasing thing about the book is Puzo's style, descriptive, yet very tight. He is essentially a master story teller. I am ignorant as to how faithfully he presents the Mafia world, but there are no holds barred in his realism about violence, ruthlessness, and brutality. His depiction is a chilling and thoroughly gripping read. A brilliant feature are the cameo tales of the story's lesser lights, such as Luca Brasi, Lucy Mancini, and Amerigo Bonasera. These add a depth and richness to the tale Puzo weaves. The only negative note for me was the fairly frequent and graphic depiction of sex. Of course, Puzo's frankness about this is fully in keeping with his treatment of violence and the like, but it was just a little much for my taste at times. 'The Godfather' is very exciting, though not profound. A Classic of its type.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite
Review: I can quote more from this book than I can from the Bible. Nuf said.
Rating: 
Summary: Bring on the Maf!
Review: In 1969, Mario Puzo wrote down all the urban legends and hearsays he'd heard about the Mafia. This resulted into "The Godfather", a tale about a fictional Mafia family in New York, the Corleones. The tale reached epic proportions as it told the tale of the family and people associated with it spanding decades and generations. It all begins in 1947, when the leader of the Corleone family, don Corleone aka The Godfather falls victim to a murder attempt that has a big conspiracy at it's roots. This leads into a cunning plan from the part of the Corleoe family; a patient plan that takes years to reach it's full execution. Puzo does an exellent job at creating several interesting characters as he plays with them to create a complex and ambitiuous plot that keeps the reader in it's hold as the Mafia world is described in a fascinating way, leading up to a truly action packed adventure. Thar's what "The Godfather" is at heart; an action packed adventure. It's entertainment in it's purest form and if you want to read something profound and challenging, then this isn't the book. Nevertheless the entertainment works well and we're left with a book written with talent and imagination, resulting into a functioning piece of entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: Enlightened after all these years!
Review: Ok, I've seen the movies and now I've finally read the book. Not only does it make me appreciate how fantastic the original GODFATHER film was/is, but I was blown away by how fantastic the book is...even/especially now! Absolutely compelling from start to finish, exquisitely researched and written. What a story! What characters! And even though I experienced the film and book in reverse chronology, they are perfect companions... I'm compelled to read more Puzo, yet worried I may be let down...this was so much fun! (if all that bloodshed and gore can be FUN) If you haven't read it, do so! If you have, do it again!
Rating:
Summary: A Classic Mob Story
Review: The Godfather by Mario Puzo was written over thirty years ago, and it is still widely read and enjoyed. It's a classic of its time, and our time as well. This classic novel is about an Italian family who's "family business" is importing olive oil. The family secret underworld business is associated with organized crime, the Mob. I enjoyed reading about this family who lives in crime and has excellent family values. Puzo is a genius for organizing the book the way he did. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone. The movie was well produced and executed also, but does not compare to the novel, the movie does not cover everything in the novel.
Rating:
Summary: The Godfather
Review: Personally I thought that Mario Puzo's The Godfather was very well written and interesting. It's about an Italian Mob related family. The book was well thought out and hard to put down. The description was excellent as I could perfectly picture everything that was happening. I enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading books full of suspense, and action. You can watch the movie also but it's not the same. I recommend the book over the movie.
Rating:
Summary: The Godfather - one of the best books ever!
Review: The Godfather is an incredible, very descriptive and breath taking story of a Silician Mafia operating in the region of New York City. This is a book you must read. You will take it to bed to read because it is simply that good of a book. It is one of the only books that I read in my life which i couldn't put away. The story is fast paced but with a lot of detail that serves the book very well. Something is always happening in the book and you just can't get enough of it. Mario Puzo did a great job. The book deserves more than five stars.
Rating:
Summary: The Godfather Book Review
Review: The 1970's novel and hit motion picture The Godfather by Mario Puzo was quite possibly the best piece of literature in America as of today. It's thorough description of how a Sicilian mafia operates leads one to realize just how organized "organized crime" is. Puzo showed ohw much family is worth through his book an movie by his skillful use of the third person objective point of view. In every paragraph Puzo gives the reader a chance to feel like they are a, Don Corleone, Luca Brasi or a Tom Hagen. The plot was exceptionally good because after every page turn the plot thickens. One page could be describing a wedding reception and the next would portray two adulturers in lust. Puzo modeled the book to have a series of climaxes before the major plot line climax. This was done to pump the reader up and stretch one's mind so one could comprehend the situtaion. The conflicts also were many. Michael Corleone's internal conflict with himself was the biggest in the book. When he went off to college and then to World War II it was planted by society that his family's business was the most immoral work one could do. Besides Michael's internal conflict there is a big conflict with the Corleones and the Tatalias. After the Corleone's Don was shot the plots conflict thickened from water to syrup. Overall Mario Puzo worte an American Classic, which was true in the 1970's and will remain true always and forever.
Rating:
Summary: Believe the Hype
Review: Absolutely excellent. As a big fan of the Godfather movies, I decided it was time to give the book a read, and I'm glad I did. Both the well-known and the seemingly fringe characters from the movie are given such depth. I'm someone who generally prefers movies to books, but don't ask me to decide here. Both are truly great.
Rating:
Summary: Don't miss out
Review: The book that spun off the classic movies of our generation. This is the greatest book I've ever read, I couldn't put it down. All I can say about it is that it's a must have in your book collections. Anyone who hasn't read it is truly missing a classic of our generation.
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