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The Godfather  By  cover art

The Godfather

By: Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola - introduction, Anthony Puzo - note, Robert J. Thompson - afterword
Narrated by: Joe Mantegna, Anthony Puzo, Angelo Di Loreto
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Publisher's summary

50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION - WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA

Mario Puzo's classic saga of an American crime family that became a global phenomenon - nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read.

With its brilliant and brutal portrayal of the Corleone family, The Godfather burned its way into our national consciousness. This unforgettable saga of crime and corruption, passion and loyalty continues to stand the test of time, as the definitive novel of the Mafia underworld.

A #1 New York Times bestseller in 1969, Mario Puzo's epic was turned into the incomparable film of the same name, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. It is the original classic that has been often imitated, but never matched. A tale of family and society, law and order, obedience and rebellion, it reveals the dark passions of human nature played out against a backdrop of the American dream.

With a Note from Anthony Puzo and an Afterword by Robert J. Thompson

©1969 Mario Puzo. Introduction © 2019 by Francis Ford Coppola. "Note from Anthony Puzo" used with permission of Anthony Puzo. Afterword © 2002 by Robert J. Thompson. (P)2011, 2019 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

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What listeners say about The Godfather

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  • TM
  • 04-01-16

Too much phallic garbage

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I do not recommend it to anybody.

What was most disappointing about Mario Puzo’s story?

There is simply too much emphasis on the phallic and related stuff. I think the book would be far more entertaining without it. In any event, I could not finish it. Call me prude or whatever, but that is the bottom-line.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I enjoy history and culture, and am not some puritan wagging my finger, so I have no problem with coming to a real understanding of the old Cosa Nostra culture. That is found in the book, but one has to ignore the author's obsession with things phallic.

Any additional comments?

The movie series was pretty good, though it too got a little too graphic. The book got ridiculous right from the start.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Classic cliche, Book always better than the movie

I've seen the movie so many times I stopped counting. I've enjoyed the book just as much. I thought some of the character storylines could have been saved. Nevertheless I found the book helpful in clarifying alot of storylines in the movie.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book - better than the movie

I am probably in the minority that hadn't seen the movie prior to listening to the audiobook. But I did like the audiobook so much I then sat down and watched the movie. It is remarkable how closely the movie adhered to the book - but as with all great books it is hard for any movie to compare with one's imagination properly inspired.

The book was very enjoyable and the performance was very well done. Women's voices weren't that great, but there are relatively few female characters in the story and it was certainly good enough.

The book also fills in so many (unavoidable) holes in the movie I can't imagine any Godfather movie fan not thoroughly enjoying revisiting their favorite mafia family again.

Highly recommended.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Perfect Narration For An American Classic!

"I'll make you an offer you can't refuse." An excellent story only improved via a talented narrator.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best. Audiobook. Ever!

Like many, The Godfather is one of my favorite movies, but it had been years since I picked up the original. Mr. Puzo's masterpiece captures your attention from the first sentence and never lets up. The back stories which had to be cut in the movies for the sake of budget and continuity simply fill out the novel and give even more richness to the story. You understand the characters on the screen (and what makes them tick) so much better.

My compliments as well to Mr. Mantegna on a magnificent performance, particularly his Brando impression. This is a book that I will keep in my library for a long, long time.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

greatest story in American literature

and the performance is beautiful, outstanding voice for this story, very cool notes on top of the great story

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Genital anatomy lesson really not necessary.

First let me say Joe Mantegna narration is excellent!

I'm a big fan of the movies so of course the book was a "must read". For the first time in my life I have to say the movie is better than the book. The character development is much better in the book of course, however not one character is truly likeable. I found myself fast forwarding through all the additional Johnny Fontaine drivel and for the life of me I can't understand why the author spent endless time writing about Lucy Mancini's vagina issues and her doctor friend who "loved performing abortions". I hope the author didn't actually see women as vapid minded mere play things and frequent distractions as portrayed throughout this book. None of this moved the story forward.

All the highlights from the excellent movies are here. Be prepared to walk away with a better understanding of many the characters ... some helpful, but most disturbing and not one character redeemable.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Tawdry and Uneven

this book begins with a forward from Francis Ford Coppola expressing his initial distaste for the style and content of this novel. he said it was like Harold Robbins. I think that does it too great a service, but it's not far wrong. repetitive, overly descriptive, and abounding with cliches and unnecessary storylines, this bestseller is pure trash. if you were thinking this would enhance the experience of the great film, you are sadly mistaken. save yourself the time and skip it. it's garbage.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Classic story is timeless

Great narrator and a timeless story make this an easy listen. My third or fourth Puzo book and an epic tale. I haven't seen any of the movies (other than cultural reference clips) so I wasn't too distracted by comparisons. It would've been interesting to see what Puzo would have made of life in 2019, both in Europe and here in the US.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Cultural touchstone

I had never read the book nor seen the movie and I felt like I was missing a cultural touchstone. Did I love it? Not really. But it wasn't terrible. It managed to hold my interest even though I really didn't understand Michael as a character. His rejection of and then full embrace of his father's lifestyle didn't ring true, nor did his love at first sight romance in Sicily. The subplot around Lucy Mancini is actually kind of offensive. As long as the focus is on the male characters, Joe Mantegna's narration is pretty good but he lost me on a lot of the women characters who seemed kind of simpering.

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