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Book Review: The Godfather by Mario Puzo

The novel ‘The Godfather’ by Mario Puzo shot into fame immediately after it got published in 1969. It was a disruptive novel that profoundly revealed the underbelly of the American mafia world, and also set stage for many mafia novels and movies in Hollywood. The novel was soon made into a motion picture with an equal aplomb and finesse.


The story is about Vito Corleone and his youngest son Michael. Well, most of the novel is based on Vito, his actions, and sweeps from Italy. Though the story remains in America for most of the time, but, at the same time, it keeps a sense of attachment with Italy.

Mid way you will get to know that a silent, teenage boy has been pushed off to America from Sicily in the aftermath of his father’s murder. The boy eventually becomes ‘Vito’ Corleone – the Mafia, the Godfather of New York. Don says – a man can have only one destiny in his life. Thus, he defines seekers’ roles and acts as an element of protection for them.

The plot has many arteries, some interesting, and rest average. The novel is focused on the Corleones, father and sons, with their withered stories half from Italy and half from America. The fight is as usual for power and authority among the Corleones and the other American crime families.

As the novel progresses, the Corleones, both Vito and Michael, outwit the other crime families to rule over the New York underworld. One thing to note is that both Vito and Michael are stout and diminutive in personality but they still both overpower others.

The story is more about legacy, war for survival, family commitment, and blood lineage. The Sicilian background rounds up for the minuscule pitfalls. The story is riveting without a much concerned plot, with awfully a lot of characters. By the end, Michael Corleone, following the death of Don, leads the family in all mafia affairs. Michael’s character is fascinatingly intriguing. In addition to all, Hollywood star, Johny Fontane, and other lackeys from Italy are just another average stuff.

Despite all, the beauty of the book lies in the family allegiance, and that has been chiseled fantastically by the author Mario Puzo. After reading this great novel you may conclude that dons are not just a bunch of stupid criminals. They have more to lose than gain. Their world moves on some stern laws and protocols, their life is way different from the commoners. The Godfather by Mario Puzo is a blazing tale of the mafia underworld back dropped against the American struggle post the Great Depression.

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Location: New Delhi, India

Comments

  1. KonnaJune 29, 2015 at 11:10 AM

    I've watched the films and I loved them. The story is amazing, but is the writing good? I've heard that at times it's difficult to get through because it's very descriptive.

    Aeriko @ http://thereadingarmchair.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kevin MallikJuly 3, 2015 at 1:18 AM

    The book is brilliantly written. I must say a step ahead then the actual movie.

    ReplyDelete

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