60 pages • 2 hours read
The Godfather
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
448
Novel • Fiction
1940s-1950s; New York
1968
Adult
18+ years
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
432,204 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
432,204 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Vito Corleone
Vito Corleone
Originally from the town of Corleone in Sicily, Vito is a highly respected and powerful Mafia boss in the United States. Known for his strategic genius, he values loyalty and operates through a complex network of political and legal alliances.
Tom Hagen
Tom Hagen
The unofficially adopted son of the Corleone family, Tom is a skilled lawyer serving as the family consigliere. He deeply admires Don Vito but remains an outsider due to his non-Sicilian heritage.
Kay Adams
Kay Adams
Michael's girlfriend and later wife, Kay is from an affluent Protestant family in New Hampshire. She is initially unaware of the true nature of Michael's family business and represents the American culture Michael is drawn to.
Sonny Corleone
Sonny Corleone
The eldest child of Don Vito Corleone, Sonny is known for his imposing physical presence and quick temper. Though a capable leader when his father is incapacitated, his impulsiveness poses challenges within the family's operations.
448
Novel • Fiction
1940s-1950s; New York
1968
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.