book data
840 ratings, 3.64 average rating, 45 reviews
(more data...)
edit
published
January 29th 1997
by Ballantine Books
binding
Mass Market Paperback, 512 pages
isbn
0345412214
(isbn13: 9780345412218)
description
Mario Puzo, author of The Godfather, knows a thing or two about the Mafia and about the movie business; here he brings them together. In the pr...more
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
friend reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists.
Add this book to your favorite list »
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 1003)
Read in May, 2008
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Compared to the other Puzo books I've read, this was a disappointment. It seemed full of cliches, not only in the way the characters acted, but also in the situations they found themselves. I think by the time he wrote this, Puzo had run out of original ideas and began to lift characters and actions out of his other books and put them together here. I never felt the threat or excitement here as I did in the others; Las Vegas was dull as a backdrop and the people acted stupidly, rather than ou...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1997
This is the ONLY book by Mario Puzo I've ever read, though of course I've seen the Godfather movies and admire them tremendously. I picked this up to see what kind of writer had inspired such great movie-making, and found basically that he's not much of a stylist. His writing is very heavy-handed. But in a way, that's its charm, that it gets right to the point without fussing around in details. He gives us some striking scenes with some rough-hewn characters, and that's enough. We get from ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
A more modern version of the Godfather. Puzo brings the mafia into the later stages of the 20th century. More introspection on the part of certain characters, and an over all feel that runs more closely along the lines of Donnie Brasco's emotionally distraught and morally inept hitman (portrayed by Al Pacino in the movie), than Puzo's The Godfather.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2006
recommends it for:
fans of mafia stories
Mario Puzo's masterpiece remains The Godfather, but this is still a fun read. The mafia is more contemporary, so it isn't as intense as the heyday, and there's also a lot about the movie industry, about which Puzo undoubtedly learned a lot when the Godfather movies were being made. This is one to read at the pool.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2004
Manusia=2 sisi mata koin, kejahatan dan kebaikan terdapat disana. Hidup terasa kejam kalau kau tak cukup pintar untuk mensiasatinya. Kalau difilmkan, aku mau memerankan sosok Athena, wanita cantik, terkenal, dan kuat.. (tentu saja kalau aku sudah cukup pede menyamai kesempurnaan fisiknya, hihihi).
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
Adults
Well-developed characters and a strong plot. The ending was rather abrupt, but the characters have stayed with me. I suspect this is a bit autobiographical from Puzo's years in Hollywood (Godfather I,II, II; Superman I, II). It's a fascinating insider look at the machinations of studio productions.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2008
Initially, I thought this book was going to be a knock-out. I have a personal rule to always finish books. This is only the second book for which I've broken that rule. The other was Ulysses by James Joyce. This book was pretty darn bad.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
really not sure why this wasn't made into a movie as well.
classic puzo, one of his best books. if you have any interest in the mafia, the godfather, the sopranos, etc, grab this book.
classic puzo, one of his best books. if you have any interest in the mafia, the godfather, the sopranos, etc, grab this book.
Saya menyukai cara Mario Puzo menulis, membuat orang selalu ingin membacanya samai habis. Apa yang dapat diperoleh novel, tiada lain cuma untuk hiburan sesuai motif penulisnya.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
De Lena muda mewarisi tampuk Don. Sepak terjang De Lena melebihi kekejaman pendahulunya. Tak ada batasan untuk saudara bahkan kekasihnya sendiri. Jika itu menjadi penghalang: Habisi!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I read this book long time ago, but still remember how strong the writer showing that "mafia" is not all wrong and bad. We still can learn something from the bad things.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I don't know if I'm going to finish this. It's not that bad but for some reason I'm struggling to get through it. Maybe because there are 256 characters - God!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1997
Buku dengan latar belakan Mafia memang cukup seru untuk dibaca, keinginan dan dendam yang mengusai hidup seseorang hampir selalu berakhir dengan ketidakbaikan
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
people who secretely wish they were in the Mafia
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would love this book. Mario Puzo is a beautiful writer. I just ordered two more of his books. I am hooked on the MAFIA!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I never get enough of this book - I really wish they hadn't gone straight to TV for the "movie" version, it could have been so much more.........
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
This is not great literature. It reads like an action movie. It's easy to see in your head and entertaining, but that's about it.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in September, 2007
The first one was great, the second a little Jackie Collins or summat...Nice and long though, for my reading pleasure.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2008
In a Mafia kick now, though this isn't as good as the Godfather. It's an entertaining read, nonetheless.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2003
recommends it for:
not for everyone
I love Puzo's works. I recognize not everyone does. If you're into Mafia stories and Italian lore, this is it.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
to-read
(on 58 people's shelves)
fiction (on 29 people's shelves)
currently-reading (on 16 people's shelves)
novel (on 4 people's shelves)
indonesian (on 4 people's shelves)
crime (on 3 people's shelves)
general-fiction (on 3 people's shelves)
drama (on 3 people's shelves)
hasil-pinjam (on 2 people's shelves)
mafia (on 2 people's shelves)
More shelves...
fiction (on 29 people's shelves)
currently-reading (on 16 people's shelves)
novel (on 4 people's shelves)
indonesian (on 4 people's shelves)
crime (on 3 people's shelves)
general-fiction (on 3 people's shelves)
drama (on 3 people's shelves)
hasil-pinjam (on 2 people's shelves)
mafia (on 2 people's shelves)
More shelves...
