Friday 14 September 2012

Devouring Books: The Godfather by Mario Puzo

"Like many young men, [he] thought that having struggled to complete his education and master the tools of his profession, his virtue would automatically be rewarded and he would earn a decent living. This proved not to be the case."

Have I said before about how much I love The Godfather? *Peruses archives* Oh yeah, here it is. I mean, those two films (the third one is unnecessary and DREADFUL, and we shan't speak of it here.) are just the GREATEST, and when I finally watched them having lived like 21 years without having seen them, I had to question what I'd been doing with my life a little bit! It's not for nothing that they're considered classic films, so you should probably watch them right away.

And then there's the book. And the book is equally as awesome, because it basically is the first movie (and half of the second one) only with some added bits, and so reading it is the equivalent of watching the movie and then watching deleted scenes that were only deleted because a tighter focus on the Corleone family was wanted, rather than because they suck. Which are obviously the best kind of deleted scene. But seriously, you've got all your important Godfather things in here: Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes, and I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse, and go to the mattresses, and ALL the important stuff, and frankly, I wasn't expecting the book to be as good as the film, but it was!

Obviously I say this from the position of having seen the film. And obviously I couldn't help but picture Al Pacino as Michael and Marlon Brando as the Don, but I don't really consider that a problem- they're such great actors that they embody and define those roles, and why would you want to picture anyone else? Exactly. Having said that, though, I do wonder what it would have been like reading The Godfather before the movies came out (which would give you like a 3 year window, daaaamn did they see the cinematic potential of it!) and just having to create your own pictures of the characters, like, you know, any other book. I reckon... trickier and more annoying. But only in this case.

Now I can hear you all asking 'but should I bother to read this book if I haven't seen the movie? I don't even like gangsters', and what I say to you is OF COURSE you should because it's awesome, and if nothing else an important cultural touchstone, but if nothing else, you should probably just watch the movie. Which is not to say that there's anything wrong with the book because there isn't (it's like literally reading the movie! It's great!) but the movie is so so amazing, and trims off a bit of the unnecessary (albeit interesting) fat from the storyline of the book. I'd say that the book is almost like... Something you want to explore because you're obsessed with the film and NEED MORE, but I think that in this case, the film really outdoes the book. Or at least, matches the book, and it's a film and therefore easier and oh my GOD I'm clearly not going to rest until you've seen it!

So. The book is well-written and compelling and I had trouble putting it down, and I believe I still would have enjoyed it if it hadn't been made into some of the greatest movies ever. I was totally THRILLED and then SAD and then also HAPPY and a bit SHOCKED (this in spite of knowing what happens!) and it's a real page turner. So you should watch The Godfather (and Part II) and then read this, and have all the emotions all over again and breathe a sigh of happiness at the end. Really you owe it to yourself!

14 comments:

  1. I got so excited when I saw that you'd posted about The Godfather. I LOVE THIS BOOK.

    One of my most shameful secrets is that I still haven't seen the films... But despite that I totally pictured Marlon Brando as the Don while I was reading it. I bought it when I was like fifteen, and for some obscure and undiscovered reason my copy has been slashed down the middle of the page for the last half of the book. Weirdly it doesn't actually detract from the reading experience - it kind of makes it more atmospheric :-p And then I read it about eight more times that year because oh my god.

    I really should get around to the films... :-/

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    1. Omg, I love that you love it so much! I do too! Like, way more than I was expecting, really, although I don't know why I wasn't expecting it to be as good as the film- it totally is!

      You definitely need to watch the films though! At least the first 2. Just cause... I LOVE AL PACINO! Really. But yeah. YAY THIS BOOK!

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  2. Okay, so . . . I'm guessing you liked it then? lol

    Truth be told, I don't think I could watch the movie. When I was a kid I saw the trailers and they traumatized me SO BAD it gives me the heebs still. But the book! Now THAT I think I could do. And I probably should on account of all the pop culture references that have been totally over my head for the last several decades. My sister loves the movies so much she has Godfather weekend movie marathons. Huh ... I'm such a wimp ;)

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    1. Awwww, but the movies are SO GOOD! I recommend joining your sister some day! (I think they're maybe not as bad as you're imagining... Although obvs there's some shooting and stuff, but you know... Mafia and all!) But yeah, if you really can't then go for the book, cause books are intrinsically less scary, and also this is freaking awesome!

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    2. Yeah, you're probably right. I'm remembering them from my eight-year-old self and by now I've seen way worse traumatic things and they're not such a big deal, so. I'll still read the book first, though, which I like to do anyway.

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  3. I'm going to get whacked for saying this - but I really didn't like the Godfather. The movie. I don't know. I just didn't like it and people yell at me all the time because of it. That being said - I think I'd like the book. I think I might give it a go.

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    1. WAHHHH! I think the book... well, it's better at explaining things, because when I rewatched the movie yesterday, I kept going 'I... totally didn't get this before'- which I hadn't minded cause it's The FREAKING Godfather, but I've definitely got a more rounded idea of all the things that happen since reading the book. It's a real page turner, so I definitely recommend giving it a go!

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  4. So....my best friend and I tried watching The Godfather in college, and it's three hours long, and we were only able to watch it in hour increments before we'd get bored and turn it off. So it took three attempts to finish it. I've been told part II is better though?

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    1. I don't even know what to say about this, Alice. I am deeply, deeply shocked. THERE IS NO GETTING BORED IN THE GODFATHER!

      Ahem. Anyway, word on the street is that part II is better, but I prefer part I cause I prefer my Al Pacino a liiiittle bit naive, and I likes Marlon Brando better than Robert De Niro (and I'm more compelled by the story and all). Which isn't to say that part II isn't AWESOME, cause it totally is.

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  5. See now I thought the Godfather book wasn't nearly as good as the movie and therefore don't bother with it. Having said that I have no idea where I heard that and it's a good possibility I made it up. *adding to TBR list*

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    1. I had the exact same thought! And I don't know why! Maybe because, I figured, nothing could be as good as The Godfather. But it is, it is! Well, nearly. And and and added extras! *goes off to re-read*

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  6. Yes, the book is awesome and the movies (minus the third) are great too. Love this book!

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  7. This was my favourite book EVER for a while after I read it. Of course, I made almost everyone I knew read it too, and I haven't met a single person who has read the book and not enjoyed it. Great review and thanks, I guess, for reminding me that I STILL haven't seen the Godfather movies!

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  8. Certain films are so faithful to the book that it probably almost isn't necessary to read the book if you've already seen the adaptation. I think Stardust and The Princess Bride are two perfect examples where I've read the book after having seen the film. I did still love reading the novel and in a way I liked that I had the actors running around inside my head when I was reading. How could you not picture Al Pacino when you were reading this - it would be sacrilage. Excellent movies (ahem, except No.3 - sorry, I mentioned it!)
    Lynn :D

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