50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION—WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY FRANCIS FORD COPPOLAMario Puzo’s classic saga of an American crime family that became a global phenomenon—nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.With its brilliant and brutal portrayal of the Corleone family, The Godfather burned its way into our national consciousness. This unforgettable saga of crime … national consciousness. This unforgettable saga of crime and corruption, passion and loyalty continues to stand the test of time, as the definitive novel of the Mafia underworld.
A #1 New York Times bestseller in 1969, Mario Puzo’s epic was turned into the incomparable film of the same name, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. It is the original classic that has been often imitated, but never matched. A tale of family and society, law and order, obedience and rebellion, it reveals the dark passions of human nature played out against a backdrop of the American dream.
With a Note from Anthony Puzo and an Afterword by Robert J. Thompson
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This is definitely a classic. This is a page turner.
By now almost everyone is familiar with the Godfather saga through the movies, but this is the book that started it all. A must read for any Godfather fan.
Felt like a long read, but good. Film is dated.
I think it is one book which every reader should have read in their lifetime as it is an amazing page- turner. The characters in the book are amazing and well- built.
One of my five best all time.
A must-read classic.
Iconic story of America. The problem with my review and enjoyment of the books lies with the fact that for me, the movies came first. When I say movies, I mean I and II. Even Coppola doesn’t consider the third a part of the same story arc.
If you have seen The Godfather then you can understand Francis Ford Coppoloa’s insistence to share or at least acknowledge Mario Puzo regarding the screenwriting. Scene for scene, the book and the movie mirror each other completely. In some cases, the dialogue is lifted straight from the book. This isn’t a criticism, just surprise as so many books that transfer to the silver screen are so completely different as to be unrecognizable. Two exceptions to the movie plot: Johnny the Frank Sinatra style singer that everyone claimed was not Sinatra (he was) is a fairly major presence in the book while wimpy and weak Fredo’s presence is minimal.
TG is not a book I would have read if not for the movie, and I don’t think I would have missed much as the movie is so iconic. The Godfather is the dramatic presentation of the book. The writing is pretty simple and more tell than show which considering the violence is fine with me. What was actually more disturbing than any on page Mafia violence was the sexual perversions presented in the Hollywood Johnny-centered scenes.
Coppola’s introduction makes a nice homage to Puzo and gives some surprises on the nature of the book. Oddly enough, he said Puzo did all his research the old school way. He didn’t hang out with the Mob, interview Mafia members, he simply did his research. Coppola also mentioned that Puzo warned him off hanging out with the mafia which he adhered to.
If you are a fan of The Godfather movie then this makes an interesting read. Only the second book that I would say that the movie is better than the book as it delivers the message of the book in such a beautiful and dramatic way. Not to mention brilliant casting and acting. The other is Lord of the Rings. Kind of ignoring that it is a trilogy and looking on it as one unit.
It’s interesting to note that the published version of The Godfather was not actually the final draft – Mario Puzo had intended to do some rewrites, but apparently went on vacation, and by the time he returned his (not quite) final manuscript had gone into print.
It’s way too easy to like the principal characters ( a point that was made early on by critics, in reference to both novel and movie) but the world that Mario Puzo creates for his characters is believable, and in their own context, justifiable. One real life consequence that illustrates the impact of the book and film, was that real life Mafiosi began to, subconsciously or otherwise, take on some of the mannerisms and attitudes of the fictional Corleone family and their associates. This was of great help to a generation of law enforcement, who could suddenly identify the bosses by the obvious deference of their crew in public.
For me, The Godfather is the embodiment of what makes 20th century America such a fascinating subject. Everything connected; government, entertainment, Las Vegas and Hollywood, politics at the highest level, big business, organised crime and corruption. To use a trite generalization, it’s not always easy to tell the goodies from the baddies. Perhaps that’s why The Godfather has resonated so strongly.
Great story
A classic.
The Godfather is unapologetic trash – we have loving descriptions of Sonny’s huge member, lots of wife beating and alcoholism, Hollywood orgies, and of course gang violence, all turned up to eleven. But it is also glorious Greek tragedy. Better than the movie (!), goddamned close to unputdownable, sacred and profane mashed together – Jesus, what a book. No popular novel has yet to surpass it. Michael’s arc is irresistibly compelling.
One of the best fiction books ever written. It was followed by two of the best movies ever.
A masterpiece
A real classic
Just like the movie down to a tee. I thought it would have more in it then the movie. But it does make me want to read more of his work. In my option if the movie industry wants to pay out to make a movie and they make it almost word for work that’s in a book then that’s a great book. And it was.
One of the few books where the movie is better than the book. The other is The Natural by Bernard Malamud. Still a great read.
This is a must-read as this book has become a part of the culture.
It was a great story with strong characters. Very realistic. Satisfying in the way it wrapped up the story. Had read it years ago and enjoyed it just as much as when I first read it.
Great book a modern classic.
An old favorite. Also one of the few books I’ve read that the movie did justice to without making the novel itself redundant. I highly recommend this book.