Aug 27, 2001 05:51 PM
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This is not the first I've read of Mario Puzo n certainly not the last but its certainly the best. And its gonna be the best for quite sometiem. If you havent yet read it then just rush n buy one. Coz I guarantee its content to anyone of sound mind.
This is one of a kind. There's none other like this maybe except The Cicilian again by Mario Puzo. The way the mafia deals n the things about em is all here in detail. This is about hte Corleone family. The true mafioso family. Its troubles n its strengths, weaknesses. Let me just introduce the main Characters to you :
DON Vito Corleone : The don. The mafioso. The man who believes in reasoning n is damn good at it. He is also very Cunning n Shrewd n has contacts. Heads the Corleone family against other New York Mafia families. His is a true story of a man made by himself. He creates his empire from scratch. Finally dies as a legend n in peace. Thats all a man requires - to die in peace n happiness. If mafia can do that to you, I am ready for it...
Michael Corleone : The future don. The timid son who becomes the don. He inherits the Cunningness n leadership qualities. His life is not dictated by his all-powerful dad. He makes his ow life and as his father says - ''A man has but one destiny''. And I do believe its true.
Santino Corleone : The brash, powerful, ruthless son of the don. He ges killed coz of his short fuse. He is worth only to be a coporegime but even a dog has its day... So he heads the family for a short time n gets killed. This forces the don to come out of retirement.
Fredo Corleone : The ever obedient hotelier son of the don. The shy guy who later transforms into the ladies woman. Not much about him.
Luca Brasi : The hard hitter n the most ruthless n fearful person to be seen in the book. Under direct control of the don n no other. Unfortunately killed.
Albert Neri : Luca Brasi II, of Don Michael. An ex-cop fired n put in jail for his ruthlessness.
Tom Hagen : The consigliori i.e the advisor n lawyer also a sort of adopted person in the household. He fails in the war n so is relieved of his duties with honour.
Peter Clemenza and Tessio : The coporegime means a hit person who heads the hits. Tessio is later done for.
Johnny Fontane : Ooooh.... the hollywood star and the adopted son of the don , the Godson. He makes it big with the help of the don. An adorable voice n an equally pitiable family life makes him the man.
Nino : Friend of Johnny who is helped by the same to stardom. The conscientious fellow.
Now for the important ladies :
Kay Adams : Wife of Don Michael. The love n weakness of Michael.
Constunzia Corleone : Michael's sister, abused by husband but yet very very naggy on her brother.
Now for the other dons :
Phillip Tattaglia : The loverboy of 70. Useless dump who wants drugs in the market. Opposes the don n tries to get him killed.
Emilio Barzini : The real brains behind all the trouble.
Ooof! So many? But nonetheless important people. Enough of that. This is the best book coz even if it is majorly about violence, it also shows the indepth analysis of humans - the bonding, the hatred, love, friendship n so on. The virtues are here so are the vices. Mario Puzo depicts Mafia the best - thier aims, methods of living and their principles (though we think they dont have any).
The main idea dealt here is - resoning. It is the thing everyone needs to develop. There are many other things to be learnt from this book. Other novels on Mafia are a bit unrealistic but I assure you this is very very realistic. The methods of operation of the mafias - some based on extortion, some on drugs, prostitution, some protection but some truly great ones - RESPECT. The chillness with which the don operates n his manner of speaking is wishable. I believe that good things learnt are forever a boon to us - may it be from bad people like the mafia or the good people liek police. This novel certainly gives you some good things n thoughts.
If it really were the way its shown - the mafia giving true justice n upholding the generations. It may not be to everyone's liking n in no way law-abiding but even then I'd prefer to be a Luca Brasi or an Albert Neri than a sucessful engineer/doctor any day of my life. Even if it sounds as if its a really big one this review is in no way even close to the book itself. So if you dont have this yet in your bookshelf just go pick one up.
