The Family Corleone

By: Ed Falco

Narrated by: Bobby Cannavale

Length: 14 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York, 1933: The city and the nation are in the depths of the Great Depression. The crime families of New York have prospered in this time, but with the coming end of Prohibition, a battle is looming that will determine which organizations will rise and which will face a violent end.

For Vito Corleone, nothing is more important than his family's future. While his youngest children, Michael, Fredo, and Connie, are in school, unaware of their father's true occupation, and his adopted son Tom Hagen is a college student, he worries most about Sonny, his eldest child. Vito pushes Sonny to be a businessman, but Sonny - 17 years old, impatient, and reckless - wants something else: To follow in his father's footsteps and become a part of the real family business.

An exhilarating and profound novel of tradition and violence, of loyalty and betrayal, The Family Corleone will appeal to the legions of fans who can never get enough of The Godfather, as well as introduce it to a whole new generation.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2012 Ed Falco (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

"Channels the original so well that readers will be vividly reminded of Puzo's strengths...His moments of blam-blam-blam are ace. Best of all, he supplies a grand set-piece finale--a parade--that will have readers dreaming of just one more movie." ( Booklist)

"What works well is Falco's depiction of Vito Corleone, which captures both the cool reserve of young Vito and the insight he demonstrates as Don....A worthy addition to the lurid world of the Five Families." ( Kirkus)

Outstanding: An Instant Classic!

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

This could possibly be the best book I've ever listened to. The writing is excellent, the narrator is amazing and the story is one of the best ever told and is just as good as the other books that were written as part of the Godfather saga.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot is superb. Such an interesting take. Doing a prequel for the Godfather was in ingenius idea. The whole time you are just wondering what will happen next and whether or not it will tie into one of the Godfather movies that have already been published. I can't wait for the movie to come out for this version!

Which scene was your favorite?

There isn't one particular scene that is my favorite but I loved learning about Luca Brasi and the smart man he was prior to evolving into the not so smart monster that he was in the original Godfather movie. I also loved learning about how Michael, Fredo and Sonnie were as kids growing up in the Corleone family.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Becoming the Godfather

Any additional comments?

The narrator truly is one of the best narrators I've heard. Every character he does sounds exactly like the characters sounded in the movies. This is must listen for anyone who likes the Godfather.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Bobby Cannavale, perfect voice for a mob book.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Family Corleone to be better than the print version?

I read a copy of the book along with the audiobook so i think for The Family Corleone Bobby Cannavale voice is just as good as the print. The way he can switch between voices is great and makes the whole experience that much greater. The thing i like most about the audiobook was that it did not skip any part of the book it was read word for word unlike some audiobooks i have tried in the passed.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

A lot, I think Ed Falco's depiction of the how the Corleone family was like before Michael's journey and the way he switches as one characters plot is about to thicken you jump right into to another character story line. He describers how Luca Brasi's life was like before he met Vito and how he can't die.

Which scene was your favorite?

Spoilers!! My favorite scene from the book was when the Corleone family was at a parade and Cork tries to warn Sonny about the Irish going to attack and a intense gun battle brakes out and Cork tries to save Vito and accidentally shoots him but saves Vito because he shot him.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not one thing wrong with Bobby Cannavale performance.

Any additional comments?

This book is very well done. Ed Falco's take on a book that was written 44 year prior is impeccable. Very well done. Bobby Cannavalle voive is spot on.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

the family corleone is good

If you could sum up The Family Corleone in three words, what would they be?

drama thrilling and shocking

What did you like best about this story?

i love how the characters seem like their older counterparts.

What about Bobby Cannavale’s performance did you like?

i think his impression of the don was dead-on.

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

yes

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Good Read on the Early history of Sonny Corleone

What made the experience of listening to The Family Corleone the most enjoyable?

Being somewhat familiar with the Godfather series this story gets to the early times for Sonny Corleone and his family..

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, not a problem wanting to know what came next in the life of Corleone family.

What does Bobby Cannavale bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Liked his tone and correct Italian pronouncment of the words. Wish there was more Italian words added in the story, that seems to bring you in the book even more.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Luca and his girlfriend his storyline in particular moved me.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Loved it!

Loved it!
Narrator was a pleasure to listen to, brilliant with the voice changes of characters.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

very faithful to The Godfather drama.<br />excellent

story move very fluently and it was exciting characters were great awesome story to read

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great voice acting, great story.

He really sounds like many of the main characters, painting a scene as you listen. The performance was fantastic!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The story of Sonny joining the family business

I enjoyed this book and i liked the narration, even with slight timeline issues like Tom Hagen being 18, as he was a year older than Sonny at 17, in 1933, when in the Godfather novel, Tom was 35 in 1945. The math doesn't add up, lol, but it was a good ride imo

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Perfect Prequel to The Godfather

I really enjoyed listening to the narrator and his impressions of all the characters from the movie. The story is perfect in every way and has the feeling that you are immersed in the world of The Godfather. I recommend this to any fans of the movies and The Godfather novel.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

If you love the godfather

You will love this prequel that gives the backstory to many things mentioned in Mario's book. Very enjoyable listen as Bobby C does a great job. Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful