The Godfather Returns

A Novel

By: Mark Winegardner

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 20 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Thirty-five years ago, Mario Puzo's great American tale, The Godfather, was published, and popular culture was indelibly changed. Now, in The Godfather Returns, acclaimed novelist Mark Winegardner continues the story, the years not covered in Puzo's best-selling book or in Francis Ford Coppola's classic films.

It is 1955. Michael Corleone has won a bloody victory in the war among New York's crime families. Now he wants to consolidate his power, save his marriage, and take his family into legitimate businesses. To do so, he must confront his most dangerous adversary yet, Nick Geraci, a former boxer who worked his way through law school as a Corleone street enforcer, and who is every bit as deadly and cunning as Michael. Their personal cold war will run from 1955 to 1962, exerting immense influence on the lives of America's most powerful criminals and their loved ones.

Sweeping from New York and Washington to Las Vegas and Cuba, The Godfather Returns is the spellbinding story of America's criminal underworld at mid-century and its intersection with the political, legal, and entertainment empires. Mark Winegardner brings an original voice and vision to Mario Puzo's mythic characters while creating several equally unforgettable characters of his own. The Godfather Returns stands on its own as a triumph in a tale about what we love, yearn for, and sometimes have reason to fear...family.

©2004 The Estate of Mario Puzo (P)2004 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The Godfather Returns is not only a real book by a real writer. It's also a real pleasure, a fine swirling epic: bitter, touching, funny, and true." (The New York Times Book Review)
"A phenomenally entertaining, psychologically rich saga that spans the entire Godfather years imagined in novel and film by Mario Puzo....A wholly absorbing novel that's written beautifully, with great skill and passion. Godfather fans will love this tale." (Publishers Weeekly)

Worthy of being in The Godfather Saga

After listening to The Godfather I was reluctant to download the next book when I saw a different author penned it. But I eventually did because I love Scott Brick as a narrator and trust the novels he brings to life are always enjoyable to be carried along with in his narration. Boy am I glad I didn’t. mark’s sequel in the Corleon Saga is amazing. He sticks true to the characters we all grew to know and love in the original and broadness our perspective much more than was done in the Coppola movies. The way Fredo, Michael, and Tom’s characters are explored is magnificent and enjoyable to dive into. Highly recommend this novel.

Great if you want more of the 'Saga Corleone'

Love, betrayl, redemption, all for success....but is it worth it? Get more intimate with the characters you know, and new characters you don't with this masterpiece woven into the world of the Family Corleone.

Great follow up to the godfather

Entertaining story and very well written. Not as good as the original but definitely worth a listen.

Part one of "Fausto's Bargain"....

... Also known as "who the hell is Ace Geraci, why do we care, and what have you done to Puzo's characters?"

The Godfather Returns

struggled through the 1st few chapters but then it was spellbinding and invigorating. loved it

Worth it

If you are a fan, it’s very much worth the listen or read! I have went through both of them many times because the characters are so well written.

Amazing!!

I loved this sequel! the author did a wonderful job picking up where Puzo left off. The Corleone family are vulnerable and powerful, which makes for a very dangerous cocktail.

Winegardner does an exceptional job!

Where does The Godfather Returns rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Although not as good as the original (author even says it was never meant to top it) this book is written amazingly in the same manner as Puzo wrote. Great imagery and vivid writing even during complex parts of the book.

What other book might you compare The Godfather Returns to and why?

The Godfather of course: although this doesn't top the original it isn't far behind.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

The narrator did an exceptional job of playing numerous characters. I liked how he didn't over do the female voices like some do but you could tell when a female was talking. Great job.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No it is a very long audiobook meant to be taken in small bites.

Great expansion of the characters

Would you listen to The Godfather Returns again? Why?

True to the original, this book really expands on the characters you know and love. It introduces some new ones from some intentionally-omitted "extras" in the original. This is a great read.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nick Geraci. Brutal and smart. Like Michael.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

I love's Scott's Performance. Great Italian pronunciation.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes.

Brick salvages a snoozer

A cinematic rehash with little new ground broken. Bricks narration is its only saving grace.