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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
This is a great prequel to Godfather 1, and fills in the gaps between Godfather 1 and the backlashes in Godfather 2. I listened to this on CD and the actor was fantastic. Moving between Irish and Italian accents, all the voices from Godfather 1... outstanding.
Was looking for the first book The Godfather but found this instead. It was almost 10 years ago since I seen the movies and was worried I wouldn't get much out of this book. Had a good time with the book either way and I really want to get my hands on the first books now. It's an compelling story with some really interesting characters and not like the books I usually read.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ed Falco's novel 'The Family Corleone' takes you on an action packed ride through the events surrounding the Corleone Family during the years 1933-1935. It's a pretty solid story which held my attention to the end. It's an adventure story, nothing more, nothing less. In that sense, it met my expectations.
So, given that this book was based upon the characters created by Mario Puzo, I already knew that it was asking a lot to expect something truly original. That said, it did lack originality even taking this into account. A good prequel will show the development of one or more characters and how they end up being those which are represented in the follow up. The characters which featured in 'The Godfather' were replicated almost to a tee for this book. Jocular but deadly Clemenza, psychotic Luca Brasi, hothead Sonny, studious Micheal, naive and slow Fredo...ring any bells? On top of this, those who have already read The Godfather will be familiar with a lot of the backstory in this book, for example how Luca Brasi murdered both the mother of his baby and the baby itself. In light of this, drawing out such plotlines for hundreds of pages seemed wasteful.
The beauty of The Godfather series of books was that the main character Micheal, becomes the exact opposite type of person in adulthood from that whom he aspired to be in his younger years. The journey he goes on to attain the distasteful characteristics of a ruthless mafia Don is one which I found fascinating. This book singularly lacks this three dimensional quality and doesn't really provide a useful addition to the series as a result. Cynics may even argue that it was the dollar signs flashing in front of Mr. Falco's eyes that led him to write this, rather than any true desire to enhance the series.
It wouldn't be fair though to dismiss this as a 'bad' book. In spite of the points above, it was still a pleasure to read and generally moved along at a cracking pace. It could have been an awful lot better though and given the material given to him, it is hard for me not to think that Falco has let a quick buck get in the way of an opportunity to produce something which could stand strongly on it's own.
So, given that this book was based upon the characters created by Mario Puzo, I already knew that it was asking a lot to expect something truly original. That said, it did lack originality even taking this into account. A good prequel will show the development of one or more characters and how they end up being those which are represented in the follow up. The characters which featured in 'The Godfather' were replicated almost to a tee for this book. Jocular but deadly Clemenza, psychotic Luca Brasi, hothead Sonny, studious Micheal, naive and slow Fredo...ring any bells? On top of this, those who have already read The Godfather will be familiar with a lot of the backstory in this book, for example how Luca Brasi murdered both the mother of his baby and the baby itself. In light of this, drawing out such plotlines for hundreds of pages seemed wasteful.
The beauty of The Godfather series of books was that the main character Micheal, becomes the exact opposite type of person in adulthood from that whom he aspired to be in his younger years. The journey he goes on to attain the distasteful characteristics of a ruthless mafia Don is one which I found fascinating. This book singularly lacks this three dimensional quality and doesn't really provide a useful addition to the series as a result. Cynics may even argue that it was the dollar signs flashing in front of Mr. Falco's eyes that led him to write this, rather than any true desire to enhance the series.
It wouldn't be fair though to dismiss this as a 'bad' book. In spite of the points above, it was still a pleasure to read and generally moved along at a cracking pace. It could have been an awful lot better though and given the material given to him, it is hard for me not to think that Falco has let a quick buck get in the way of an opportunity to produce something which could stand strongly on it's own.
I was hoping to get some new insight into the Corleones. You do find out why Luca Brasi will stop at nothing to protect the Don and some background on Tom Hagen but in my opinion it is a rehash of the Godfather. No surprise Sonny is a hot head and a ladies man. They even reuse scenes (Clemenza making spaghetti, Family Council) and I know I have heard some of this dialog before. If you've read everything you want to, then pick this up.
Wow, so many things of [a:Mario Puzo|12605|Mario Puzo|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1322107703p2/12605.jpg]'s [b:The Godfather|239795|The Godfather|Mario Puzo|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309204718s/239795.jpg|266624] make sense now.
This prequel is made to become a classic. Great way if writing. I loved reading the book.
This prequel is made to become a classic. Great way if writing. I loved reading the book.
'The Family Corleone' was intended as prequel to the 'GodFather' by Mario Puzo. A premature demise however stalled those plans and Edward Falco picks up from where Puzo 'dropped' off. This novel charts the early days of Mafioso Vito Corleone and his children's initial introduction to his reality and their youthful frolics until a bitter reality confronts them. We are also introduced to a younger Luca Brasi and shown how he dedicates his life to protecting the Corleone family. A meticulous novel but it lacks Puzo's finesse in character evolution and detailed narrative.
Wow, so many things of [a:Mario Puzo|12605|Mario Puzo|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1322107703p2/12605.jpg]'s [b:The Godfather|239795|The Godfather|Mario Puzo|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309204718s/239795.jpg|266624] make sense now.
This prequel is made to become a classic. Great way if writing. I loved reading the book.
This prequel is made to become a classic. Great way if writing. I loved reading the book.
Mario Puzo is a hard act to follow, but Ed Falco has done a wonderful job of recreating the world of the Corleone family. I hope he continues to write about crime and crime families as he certainly has a touch for it and there are few authors out there to take over Puzo's mantle.
I recommend this book to anyone who either loved the Godfather films or the book itself and if you enjoy mafia crime books in general.
I recommend this book to anyone who either loved the Godfather films or the book itself and if you enjoy mafia crime books in general.