Product Description

The Godfather is the Mafia leader Vito Corleone, a benevolent despot who stops at nothing to gain and hold power. Set in Long Island, Hollywood and Sicily, this is a story of a feudal society within society which does not hesitate to consolidate its power.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #43481 in Books
• Published on: 1991-02-21
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 446 pages

From the Publisher
‘As for fiction, there can only be one choice – The Godfather’ The Times

About the Author
Mario Puzo was born in Hell's Kitchen on Manhattan's West Side and following military service in World War II, attended New York's New School for Social Research and Columbia University. His best-known novel, The Godfather, was preceded by two critically acclaimed novels published in the early sixties, The Fortunate Pilgrim and The Dark Arena; in 1978 he published Fools Die, in 1984 The Sicilian, and in 1992 The Fourth K. Mario Puzo also wrote ten screenplays, including Superman and Superman II. For both of his screen adaptations of The Godfather he won Academy Awards. He died in 1999 at his home in Long Island.

Customer Reviews

A Masterpiece
The Godfather is a powerful story not just of the mafia underworld, but of family, of power and the corruption that so often follows it, and of a great, yet dangerous man, Don Corleone. The mafia dealings are not a vital component of the story, often just referred to as "family business", but all that isn't necessary to understand the workings of the Corleone family. It is very difficult not to admire the power of the Godfather as well as his devotion to his family, and one can but sympathise with Michael as he tries to step into his father's shoes, finding that they simply do not fit. The story shows a great knowledge of the American mafia without glorifying it, with an ending to prove this point. Not only Puzo's finest novel by far, but fiction's finest gangster story, and undoubtedly among the finest works of fiction of the twentieth century.

A brilliant book
This is a great book whether you're a fan of the film or not. It is kind of the first and second film in one book, with some extra story lines not in either. It is so readable that once you start you cannot put it down and I've read this book twice now, each time within a couple of days, it is so addictive. All I can say is read this book, you won't be disappointed.

The Godfather is the supreme achievement of a great author.
This is my personal all time favourite book. In Don Corleone, Mario Puzo brings to life one of the the truly great protagonists of a modern novel. This is a book based around the Mafia but there is much more to it than just gangster violence. It is I feel primarily a novel about the internal workings of a complex family and how Michael, the Don's youngest son, comes to terms with his father's way of life and his own eventual destiny. The Godfather films are excellent but the book fleshes out the characters in a way a film never can. I would recommend this great novel to anyone even if they have no interest in crime novels generally, it is an exceptional book. I look forward in great anticipation to the release of Omerta, Puzo's final book, and hope that it lives up to the high standard set here.