Review | The Godfather

50 years of The Godfather

Written by Mario Puzo, the work is one of the best classics in literature and cinema. Its adaptation to the Seventh Art, by Francis Ford Coppola, won 11 Oscar statuettes.

An interesting fact is how fascinating the characters created by Mario Puzo are. Seeing how the “Godfather” treats his godchildren and friends is something admirable. Right from the start we are already introduced to a world of injustices and that the only place where they will find comfort and solution is with the Godfather, Don Vito Corleone.

You can't help but love this character, admire him and fear him at the same time. This is a time of men who, to be respected, had to be feared. Everything has a price. And while reading, we check out the whole story behind the family of Don Vito Corleone. The story of each child, their journeys and how they see what their father does.

Nothing here is black and white and not even with gray nuances. The Godfather goes beyond rules and titles that we can give Mario Puzo's work. It is a romantic poem, a tragic piece of theater, a song full of adventures of heroes and villains. You can't say that Mario Puzo followed a commonly used rule of the Hero's Journey, because the work – again – goes beyond that.

Don Corleone is a murderer. He is a tyrant, but a friend. Head of a family of Italian mafiosi, the only reference that can be given to the new current generations are the Japanese and Chinese mafias that can be seen in movies, anime and literature in general.

And just like in these universes, The Godfather wields his power to the highest levels of US politics. He has the power that so many desire, but as we learn throughout the story, this also comes at a price. Don Corleone creates many enemies and the peace he loves is more than threatened, as is his power.

This is a plot where we see ourselves inside the story. Wanting to follow in the Don's footsteps, be one of his children and even enemies. But when we close the book, we realize how this world created by Mario Puzo is so cruel, inhuman and real!

Yes, because it's always good to remember that The Godfather is inspired by the most feared mobsters of the 40's, where the author builds the figure of Don Corleone. Some similarities with real life raise speculation. Like Frank Costelo, the mobster had strong political connections. Joe Profaci was known as “the king of olive oil”.

Therefore, any resemblance to Corleone may not be purely coincidental. And this is what makes The Godfather a timeless work. Its history may take place in the 40s, less than the middle of the 20th century, but its characters, intrigues and narrative, are still modern and fit in any culture. After all, what society doesn't have its Godfather?

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Product Details

The Godfather: 50th Anniversary Edition Hardcover

Autor: Mario Puzo

Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Heinemann (21 March 2019)

Language ‏ : ‎ English

Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 608 pages

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Review by

Sidney Matias