I remained stunned! It impressed me! Vito Corleone- a man whose father was ruthlessly killed by the Mafia; a man who had to flee his native village- in fact his country- as the Mafia was after his blood; a man who slowly and gradually built his own criminal empire in the United States; a man who lived every moment of his life in an ever hanging danger of death......dies with these words on his lips - Life is so beautiful! It’s incredible!
Introduction
I vaguely remember that Aamir Khan had acted in an action film. If I am not wrong, the film was Aatank hi aatank.
A similar film had hit the theatres with Dharampaaji in the lead. If you go back in time, you will find umpteen Bollywood films that have the same storyline. The first among this chain was Dharmatma. On what was this film based? What was the root channel of the storyline that ruled the Bollywood scenario for more than two decades?
Introducing THE GODFATHER by Mario Puzo.
The Plot
The first thing that strikes you when you start reading this novel is the introduction of Don Corleone.
You read about an injustice done on a poor undertaker, whose lovely daughter lies in the hospital, a victim of brutality by her boyfriend and his friend. What should the poor undertaker do?
For justice we must go on our knees to Don Corleone.
The scenario changes, and we read about the sinking career of film star Johnny Fontane. One role he needs and he will be back in business. But that role is eluding him, thanks to his own behaviour, which has made many enemies for him.
He would go back to the one man with the power, the wisdom, he needed and a love he still trusted. His Godfather Corleone.
Next we meet Nazorine, the baker, whose young daughter is pregnant from his helper Enzo. As Enzo has the good intentions to marry her, it is a must for him to keep Enzo in America and for that, Enzo needs to get the US citizenship. How can he pull this off?
There was only one man who could arrange such an affair. The Godfather. Don Corleone.
Now, after reading the above, don’t you think that the reader is looking forward to know who is this messiah? That’s how you are introduced to the Corleone family.
Don Corleone is the head of the Corleone family. He has three sons - Santino(Sonny), Fredrico(Fredo) and Michael(Mike), and one daughter Connie. The Corleones control the gambling racket of New York. The Don is looked upon by many as a messiah who always helps the people who come to him for justice. His team comprises of his newly appointed consigliori Tom Hagen, his capo régimes, his most trusted Tessio and Clemenza, his key-man Luca Brasi and his eldest son Sonny.
The only person who is not interested in the family business is his youngest son Michael Corleone. Michael has his own little world consisting of his studies and his ladylove Kay.
Everything is running smoothly until a Turk named Sollozzo puts forward a proposal of narcotics to the Corleones. He wants the Don to finance him and protect him from the authorities. All hell breaks loose when the Godfather refuses. The wily Turk attacks Don Corleone.....but unfortunately for him, just manages to shoot him.
The Godfather is injured.....but alive, and that is the bad news for Sollozzo.
What follows is a bloody war waged by Sonny Corleone against Sollozzo, and subsequently, the underworld families supporting him. This is the time when Michael hears the call of blood and rushes to the aid of his family. Michael succeeds in killing the wily Turk, and has to be rushed off to Sicily to avoid the law, as he also kills a police cop who happens to be Sollozzo’s bodyguard.
The guns are drawn.
The stage is set.
The gang war begins.
And all this when Don Corleone is medically inactive.
Many people lose their lives in the violence that follows, including Sonny. That is when the Godfather takes the reins in his hands, and deals with the situation like an experienced craftsman. He brings about peace and manages the return of his son Michael. But is it the same Michael? - No!
The fellow who went to Sicily was Michael indeed.....but the person who returns back is Michael Corleone! It’s not long before the Don retires and lets Michael take over the business. The Don engages himself in his love for plants. And among these friends, the Don suffers a fatal heart attack.....saying those remarkable final words.....Life is so beautiful!
The Don is dead. Now it’s up to Michael to play the game.....
The final game.....which has been designed by the Godfather himself. The master touch.....which has been meticulously planned by the one and only....Godfather!
In Conclusion
Some people seem to be born to do a particular thing. Just ONE great thing! Mario Puzo seems to be such a man. He was born to write one great novel - The Godfather. I did read his other book The Last Don, but in that book he never seemed anywhere near the original classic. It was as if The Godfather was his life mission!
It seems hard to believe that Mario Puzo did not have any connections to the real underworld....the Mafia! Everything he writes seems so real! All the dark secrets of the criminal world, the organized functioning of the Mafia....everything has been very realistically portrayed.
Yes....go buy this bestseller from your nearest bookshop! Flick open the first page....the door to the unique world of the genius Don - The Godfather.