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Mario Puzo

The Godfather

Mario PuzoFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1968

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Book Brief

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Mario Puzo

The Godfather

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1968
Book Details
Pages

448

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

1940s-1950s; New York

Publication Year

1968

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Godfather, a novel by Mario Puzo, follows the Corleone crime family in New York City from 1945 to 1955, centering on the patriarch Don Vito Corleone; as he refuses to join a narcotics operation, an ensuing conflict leads to his son Michael's transformation from an outsider to the family's new head, navigating power struggles and betrayal to reinforce the family's dominance. The novel features depictions of murder, physical assault, sexual violence, and infanticide, and includes racist language and stereotypes.

Dark

Mysterious

Suspenseful

Gritty

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.4

432,204 ratings

87%

Loved it

10%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Godfather by Mario Puzo has been praised for its compelling narrative and richly developed characters, immersing readers in the intricate world of the Mafia. Many appreciate its vivid storytelling and complex moral dilemmas. However, some criticize it for occasional melodrama and stereotypical portrayals. Overall, it's a gripping, influential crime novel.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Godfather?

The ideal reader for Mario Puzo’s The Godfather enjoys intricate crime sagas, moral complexities, and deep family dynamics. Fans of complex narratives like those found in Mario Puzo's The Godfather would likely be enthralled by the world-building and character development in similar crime classics such as F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series.

4.4

432,204 ratings

87%

Loved it

10%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

448

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

1940s-1950s; New York

Publication Year

1968

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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