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Fools Die  By  cover art

Fools Die

By: Mario Puzo
Narrated by: Kristoffer Tabori
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Publisher's summary

From the blockbuster author of The Godfather comes this bold international best-seller about the feverish world of a big-time gambler.

Merlyn and his brother, Artie, obey their own code of honor in the ferment of contemporary America, where law and organized crime are one and the same.

Set within America's golden triangle of corruption and excess—New York, Hollywood, Las Vegas—the novel plunges into the glittering and ruthless worlds of gambling, publishing, and the film industry, where greed, lust, and violence hold sway. As high rollers, hustlers, and scheming manipulators use power, sex, and betrayal to win, the strongest survive—but fools die.

©1978 Mario Puzo (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about Fools Die

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

Puzo is a master of the tale and Tabori is the cream voice that transports us.

This tomb is a great proof and repudiation of Puzo as only a mafia writer. He is a writer's writer, a critic's writer, a film maker's writer, a gambler's writer, a lover's gossip and such a truthful liar. Once you get into the thick of this one you're indebted throughout. All the things you're busy with in life will be colored by the magic of this book; by its magician, by the brandishing of Puzo's wry wit and honesty. And Tabori pours it all like such honey into your ears. You're hooked like a fool fish on a buttered line. Everything is felt, because nothing should be missed. We all live as such glorious fools and Fools Die.

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4 people found this helpful

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

some good, some tedious

Parts of this are interesting and move right along, and other parts, particularly the parts where the narrator is perseverating about women, get extremely tedious. The reader is wonderful. The best reader I've ever heard. I actually chose this book partially because he was the reader.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • DS
  • 04-07-21

Wonderful book!

This book takes place in Puzo's imaginary world of New York, Las Vegas and Hollywood, and has some familiar characters from The Last Don. But, this book is a bit different than many Puzo books as the mafia and even Italian culture have been left out except for an occasional mention. The book's protagonist is said to be Puzo, himself. He's an excellent story teller, and the book naturally sucks you into its universe. I definitely recommend this book!

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3 people found this helpful

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

better to be read to

I actually enjoyed the audio performance more than reading the book myself. Very, very well done.

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3 people found this helpful

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

Oscar worthy performance

Tabori narration is as good as or better than any I've heard. And fascinating, multifaceted story. Terrific entertainment.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Full of cringe and disappointment

This book should of been titled:
How to pander to Neo Femanists-- a step-by-step guide to becoming the best cuckold you can be.

or

The true path to female empowerment: how to assimilate the worst aspects of precieved male privilege, and completely rot away your soul and mind and succumb to self dillusion to the point you think you are righteous.

They could use some work. They are a little long.

This is the third book by this writer that has disappointed me. The Godfather was so amazing, that these disappointments hurt worse than they should have.

I will no longer read anything more from Puzo.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Excellent Performance Of A Total Mess Of A Novel

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This book was universally panned when it was published and I can see why. It is a mixed-up mess of abrupt shifts in tone, implausible actions, anti women screed, mach philosophizing and self pity.

Would you recommend Fools Die to your friends? Why or why not?

I cannot recommend the book although individual scenes were very good.

Which scene was your favorite?

The insights into the running of a casino were quite interesting.

Did Fools Die inspire you to do anything?

It convinced me not to buy another Puzo book, although I loved the Godfather.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Great story, lousy audio

This story is really fun. The audio is perhaps the poorest effort from audible.com.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • RZ
  • 04-15-18

Buy this.

Narrator Kristoffer Tabori is a treasure and his talent is especially showcased with this material. Very recommended.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Oh man...save the 19 hours

I love Puzo and books in general but this was just a long winded mess

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1 person found this helpful