A story of love, lust, lies, murder and loyalty, “The Godfather” by Mario Puzo is a tale of strategically plotted secrets and a detailed account of what people would do for power.


(WARNING! This post contains spoilers. It doesn’t ruin the story though, I think.)

Don Vito Corleone is the boss. Often regarded with respect as Godfather, he is the leader of one of the most powerful (Mafia) families in the country. Sollozo, a Turk who decides to enter the drug business, orders the Grandfather to be shot after a deal gone wrong — rather, a deal that got nowhere. Because of this Santino Corleone, the Don’s eldest, took over the family business for the meantime and worked to avenge his father’s downfall. A loop of sudden treachery, shocking murders and tricky business unfolds right before your eyes as Mario Puzo manages to tell the story so vividly.

For the longest of time the book sat on my desk unnoticed. I thought it boring and pointless, reading a page now and then but never really taking interest. I let books pass. I read a lot of chick lit books — easy reading to pass the time, you know? I don’t know what compelled me to finally pick up the book and finish it. Sheer boredom during the winter break maybe? Destiny? Whatever “force” pushed me led me to a completely marvelous book I’d never forget.

Mario Puzo has a way with words. The words just work for him and just spins itself into a legacy of well....a wonderful story! He gave life to names. He gave life to the people in his story and actually gave them each their character. In a way, he gave individuality to each of his characters yet intertwining their stories with not much difficult comprehension. He’ll make you feel what the characters feel. He’ll shock you, amaze you. It can even go as far as feeling respect to the fictional character of the Don.

I love the way he laid the story out. He didn’t write it down straight. He used twists and turns to form the story — flashbacks, different perspectives. It really worked for the novel.

He gave the story dimension. Not only did it focus on murder, murder, murder — it gave light on love, marriage, respect, drugs, business, culture and a lot of different scenes.

Despite it being about a Mafia (which actually appeals to me; I love the concept of Mafias), it taught me a lot of things about life. “Life is beautiful,” — nothing more precise than what the Don said. Despite the page-turning it actually got me thinking how fragile life is. Anger can lead to death. One bullet can take away your life. Your body can turn it's back on your and just suddenly stop functioning. So used the phrase is now, but what could be more true? Live life to the fullest.

It's served on a platter, the reality of our world — the deepest, darkest secrets of our dirty, dirty world.

This book will not be a waste of your time, I assure you.

Labels: book, review, the Godfather