The Sicilian

Sometimes referred as the second in a series by Puzo on the Corleone family, this is really more of a side story. The entire story takes place in Sicily. The main story is about a bandit Salvatore Guiliano who attempts to be a 1940's Robin Hood. It is also a history of Italy, Sicily and the Mafia. I always wondered how such an organization ever got started and this book explains in detail how and why. The book details how Italy throughout history was conquered, ill treated and terribly governed by the corrupt. Through reading this book you will easily see how the Mafia got started but also how the Mafia itself grew in power and became another corrupt government, so that the poor peasants of Italy had not one but two masters to answer too. I am glad I read this for the historical aspect alone. As far as entertainment value, it is a little boring for the first four chapters, picks up real well in the middle and then gets monotonous toward the end. The story about the bandit is riveting and a fun listen, but there are several parts of the book dedicated to dry history lessons and politics. This is no where near as entertaining as The Godfather, but I was glad I bought it. The Godfather is a hard value to beat.

I am a Mario Puzo fan and have "read" most of his books, I did not especially like the main narrator. It felt like he drank a pot of coffee and just started reading really fast. The character narrators were great however. I even tried to slow down my ipod, but it got weird.

Tore Guilliano of coarse.

Main narrator reads too fast, too little inflection in his voice.

Yes

Good book overall and what I expected, other narrators have done a much better job at bringing the characters and story alive with Mario Puzo's stories, I would suggest sampling before purchasing.

How about a plot where the peopel featured as heroes, 1 don't get killed. and 2 others in the story have true honor rather than wearing cowardice as a badge of honor, and calling that "honor"!

It depends! His first book in this so-called series, was excellent, and skillfully written. His second book looks like he's gone soft in the head in his old age, or something. It's a piece of crap!

Yes. As the last recording was good, so is this one in performance.

Absolutely not! I wish I'd never even thought about, let alone downloaded this trash! Disgusting! Disgusting! Disgusting!

Yes! If there are anymore crapstorms from this author, I would seriously consider no longer stocking his books.