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The Godfather
by Mario Puzo, Robert Thompson , Peter Bart
by Mario Puzo, Robert Thompson , Peter Bart
Yes, I know it is not advisable to compare a book to its movie, but the film was so goshdarn brilliant that I can't help but line the two up side-by-side. Honestly, I think the movie was much more calculated and beautiful than the book, which branched off in several dead-end directions.
So far I'm enjoying the background story that the book gives on most of the characters. Sonny seems more despicable in the book than the movie, and I feel like I have a better grip on Michael's separation from the family. I'm The one major difference that has stood out is the story of Johhny Fontane.
I can only assume that the Fontane story is meant to reflect on Frank Sinatra. That being said, I find this character to be quite a distraction from the rest of the book. The writing seems exceptionally weak in the chapters that focus on him. It seems like most of his character is based on his selfish desire for fame and personal habits in sexual relations--none of which boosts the plot of "The Godfather." Honestly, what was Puzo thinking? Let's bring up a story about a struggling singer who forces his way into a movie because of his mob relations *and then* plays a central role in the rigged Academy Awards and ends up starting to participate in a post-awards ceremony sex-exhibition scene with the best actress What!?
It's understandable why the Fontane story plays such a central role in the book--reader's popular demand for sex and violence limits the author in his true expression. I would have given the book a much higher rating if this poor storyline was not dragging it down.
Overall, I've finally decided to put the book down and move on to bigger and better things. The Fontane story really lost my attention and I'd much rather (strangely enough) watch the movie than read the book.
So far I'm enjoying the background story that the book gives on most of the characters. Sonny seems more despicable in the book than the movie, and I feel like I have a better grip on Michael's separation from the family. I'm The one major difference that has stood out is the story of Johhny Fontane.
I can only assume that the Fontane story is meant to reflect on Frank Sinatra. That being said, I find this character to be quite a distraction from the rest of the book. The writing seems exceptionally weak in the chapters that focus on him. It seems like most of his character is based on his selfish desire for fame and personal habits in sexual relations--none of which boosts the plot of "The Godfather." Honestly, what was Puzo thinking? Let's bring up a story about a struggling singer who forces his way into a movie because of his mob relations *and then* plays a central role in the rigged Academy Awards and ends up starting to participate in a post-awards ceremony sex-exhibition scene with the best actress What!?
It's understandable why the Fontane story plays such a central role in the book--reader's popular demand for sex and violence limits the author in his true expression. I would have given the book a much higher rating if this poor storyline was not dragging it down.
Overall, I've finally decided to put the book down and move on to bigger and better things. The Fontane story really lost my attention and I'd much rather (strangely enough) watch the movie than read the book.
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Lara
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rated it 2 stars
May 07, 2009 04:36pm
I agree with you. I read the book thinking it would be better than the movie, but was surprised. This is one case where I have to say the movie is far superior to the novel--and I rarely (if ever) say that.
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I was really surpised when I read your comment Corbin. I read the book before the film came to the screen. I thought this was an amazing book. A couple of years later the film was released. I Loved the book from the first page to the last and I felt no way would they be able to do the book justice. I was exited to see the characters come to life on the screen and hoped they would do a good job. Yes they did .The film was fantastic. The actors fitted their parts perfectly. Michael, Sonny, Don Corleone, Although I thought Luca Brasi was well cast, when I read the book I always imaged he would be shorter, like (forgive me I forget the guys name . The guy who says leave the gun take the Canoli) I thought Luca would look like him. I was in my late teens and I fell in love for the first time!! With both Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) and Sonny (James Cann) until Godfather two came out and I saw the young Corleone (Robert De Niro)Sorry im going on a bit. Anyway years later when my daughter was in her mid teens. I gave her The Godfather to read she loved it. Yes an excellent book written by Mario Puzo.Someone who had first hand experience in watching the Mob leaders extort businesses and kill people. This novel could honestly be loved by anyone who enjoys a good read.
