The Godfather Returns

A Novel

De: Mark Winegardner

Narrado por: Scott Brick

THE MISSING YEARS FROM THE GREATEST CRIME SAGA OF ALL TIME

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 bestselling 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, including

Tom Hagen, the Corleone Family’s lawyer and consigliere, who embarks on a political career in Nevada while trying to protect his brother;

Francesca Corleone, daughter of Michael’s late brother Sonny, who is suddenly learning her family’s true history and faces a difficult choice;

Don Louie Russo, head of the Chicago mob, who plays dumb but has wily ambitions for muscling in on the Corleones’ territory;

Peter Clemenza, the stalwart Corleone underboss, who knows more Family secrets than almost anyone;

Ambassador M. Corbett Shea, a former Prohibition-era bootlegger and business ally of the Corleones’, who wants to get his son elected to the presidency–and needs some help from his old friends;

Johnny Fontane, the world’s greatest saloon singer, who ascends to new heights as a recording artist, cozying up to Washington’s power elite and maintaining a precarious relationship with notorious underworld figures;

Kay Adams Corleone, who finally discovers the truth about her husband, Michael–and must decide what it means for their marriage and their children and

Fredo Corleone, whose death has never been fully explained until now, and whose betrayal of the Family was part of a larger and more sinister chain of events.

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.

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.

Don't mess with the Don!!!

Michael is all grown up and running the family!!! Michael is trying to go legit but he finds out that is easier said than done!! Freddy is still a mess up and the book really goes into his life, much more than the movie!! Half brother Tom runs for congress and wins but in the end he is always by The Don's side!!! Also cousin Johnny is still singing and slaying the girls!!! Sonny's kids are all grown up and the twin girls have a great roll in the book!! If you liked the first book and the movies you need to grab this book!!!! You won't be disappointed!!!! And if you don't Michael will give you an offer you can't refuse!!! Lol