Fools Die
by Mario Puzo

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Book Reviews of Fools Die

Book Review: They do.
Summary: 4 Stars

Let's start with the title itself: After a lifetime, Merlyn notes "only fools die." Is that Puzo's point? Jordan, Cully, Osano -- were they just fools? They certainly helped do themselves in. But what of Malomar, Artie and Janelle? They didn't ask for death? Were they fools too? What, then, did Merlyn do differently? "Am I a monster that I should live?" Well, is he?

And what of Gronevelt? Aged, infirm, still pushing buttons in his casino -- both literally and figuratively -- controlling the lives and deaths of others. Is he meant to be God? Are we simply gamblers in some univeral casino, and degenerate ones at that, unavoidably subject to some inviolate "per-centage" beyond anyone's mortal control? Is that Puzo's point? Do we kid ourselves to think otherwise? Is life itself made up of those eternal moments the croupier says "A card for the player"?

There is much in this book to keep you fascinated and turning the pages. It's unfortunate, I think, that this book followed "The Godfather" in Puzo's output. The books are totally different, and those seeking a "Godfather" reprise will be dissappointed. (Similarly, I've always thought that silhouette image on the cover of "Fools Die" was a cheap and unnecessary attempt to evoke a "Godfather" connection -- the book is strong enough and deserves to stand on its own.)

After nearly thirty years, however, the book reveals certain flaws. The coarse language -- particularly on the part of the women -- seems unnecessary and distracting. While I've certainly heard real-live women use the same words, they don't seem to use them in quite the same way Puzo writes. Men and women ascribe different meanings to the same words. I doubt Puzo knew or cared about that. Janelle's language in particular seems forced and rather phony. Today I find her language somewhat embarassing.

Nevertheless, this book has a strange appeal for me and has had since I first read it more than 20 years ago. So many lines from the book have meaning for me and have stayed with me for years: "A terrible longshot, but what's that to a gambler? I still have a stack of black chips and an itch for terror." Hate to admit it, but I sometimes think that sums up my life.

I once read that Puzo himself called "Fools Die" his favorite and best work. I don't disagree.

Summary of Fools Die

Literature & Fiction Books

• Subjects > Literature & Fiction
• Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers > Suspense