The Godfather

Book review by Joel
This book was lent to me by “He Whose Name Cannot Be Said Aloud”. I’ve seen the movie, but I have to say, read the book. Not only will watching the movie make a lot more sense, but there are several side plots that could not fit into the time format of a movie.

In the forward by Stuart Woods, he tells us that Coppola’s movie so closely and artfully follows the book that it is impossible not to see the actors or hear the music as you read it. He is absolutely right. I watched the movie after reading this and was blown away.

This is basically the story of the Corleone Family and the power Don Corleone wields in the Mafioso underworld--how his hold on power was challenged by the five New York Families with the attempted murder of the Don—and how that same power abused by Sonny Corleone caused chaos and terror.

It was interesting to read the intricate relationships between these people who could kill without a second thought. “It’s just business”. It was cool to see Micheal Corleone graduate from young rebel who joined the Marines against his father’s wishes--to the cool-headed Mafia Head of the Family.

All the characters in the book are fleshed out and real--and it is a real page-turner.

I recommend this one absolutely.

Joel.