’’I’m a man of reason.’’
- Don Vito Corleone, otherwise known as The Godfather
I am probably one of the few people who read this book as late as only four years ago (1999). But then, I had seen the movie and was content. I finished reading it once again, only a few days ago and as I put the book down, I realized I had to write a review. After doing both - watching the movie and reading the book, I have come to the conclusion that although the movie was great, reading the book was much better. It manages to get the right equilibrium between a complete artistic nature and a popular (almost savage) form of entertainment.
The book is the story of the most powerful Family (Mafia) in New York and consequently in The US, the Corleone Family, headed by Don Vito Corleone, who struggled his way in life through death, violence, revenge, deceit and treachery to become what he was, The Godfather.
Although it doesn’t start chronologically with the birth and initial struggles and poverty faced by Vito, there is no confusion, not a single doubt as to what happens when, the writing is so clear. The book, essentially, deals with Vito Andolini, a 12 year old Sicilian is forced to flee from Italy and seek refuge in America. In America, changing his name, he realizes that he is more clever than most people and with all his respect for making people see ’’reason’’ and ’’making offers they can’t refuse’’ he succeeds to form a huge Family and a lots of friends - from the poorest/most helpless fellow to the richest/most powerful person. His motto is simple - Help all those who need help and ask him for it and make sure that they return the favour when asked to do so. The book continues to the death of the Don and the subsequent seemingly loss of the Corleone power and prestige to the emergence of his son, Michael Corleone as the new Godfather.
The book has one constant theme ’This world, in which law and order are the keywords, cannot protect you or provide true justice to you, but in the world created by The Godfather, justice and help is given to all those who ask for it in the right manner.’
The Don is shown to be a highly interesting character. On one hand, he’s responsible for numerous deaths but on the other hand he has done a lot for weak, helpless people and even more for those who desire his friendship - ’’I believe in friendship and I like to show my friendship first’’ gives a true reflection to his character. But ’’If you do not wish my friendship, so be it. But then I must tell you that the climate in this city is damp... and you are advised never to visit it’’ gives a more complete view. Also when somebody goes against him he simply says ’’I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse’’ thus proving that he has the ultimate authority in all that concerns him.
Even though, the title is The Godfather, it isn’t by any means related to one character only. It follows many people’s fortunes and lives - The most important and interesting being that of Michael Corleone, The Don’s youngest son, in whom we witness a radical change, from a patriotic war hero, who wishes to lead a peaceful, lawful life completely different from the one he was brought up in, to become a dangerous, clever Don himself. In fact, I would call him The Don of the book, even though he doesn’t have complete powers for a major part.
What leads to this radical change in Michael’s views is a bloody attempted murder by a rival Mafia group on his father. He realizes that his family as well as the Family (you should understand what I mean if you have been reading carefully) are the most important things in a person’s life - ’’Never take sides against the Family.’’ Another reason for this change was his returning to the place from where his father had to flee that made him realize why The Godfather is the way he is. He understands his father’s deeds even if he doesn’t like them. ’’Everyone has one destiny and one destiny only.’’ He realizes that his destiny is to succeed his father after the death of his elder brother Sunny (Santino) and change in character of Fredo, the second child of Vito Corleone.
Another extremely interesting and essential part of the book is that the Godfather never commits a crime. In his opinion liquor, gambling, bribery are all doable crimes which are almost a necessity in the world. However, he has strict views regarding drugs and prohibits his people to deal in drugs. His reasons for doing so are plainly selfish. He realizes that if he begins to do business in drugs then all his political control would weaken. The politicians who don’t mind gambling and other petty stuff would be totally against drugs. And so he refuses. This refusal leads to an attempt on his life and paves the way for a magnificent tale.
The writing style is wonderful, containing a little of something for everyone - romance, action, mystery, suspense, violence. Some of the lines, including those mentioned above must go down as some of the most memorable ones in history of modern fiction. The only reason I didn’t rate it among the Must Read 5 Books review was that nearly everyone else had and I wanted the readers to have more options. However, it deserves a place in every list of good fiction books. At times I found it disappointing that a particular incident or chapter isn’t given in more detail. I wanted to read more about the early days and the rise to power of Vito Corleone. But I guess it would then take away some of the charm of the book. Though times have changed now and will continue to keep on changing, the book will remain one of the most popular ones regardless of what the outside world is like. This would probably go down as one of the best books of the era, if not the best.