The Godfather's Revenge
by Mark Winegardner
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Book Summary Information
Author: Mark WinegardnerEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-11-06
ISBN: 0451222539
Number of pages: 624
Publisher: Signet
Book Reviews of The Godfather's Revenge
Book Review: A novel you can't refuse?
Summary: 4 Stars
I know fiction is supposed to be essentially entertaining lies, but perhaps the biggest lie in many novels actually comes on the copyright page. I'm referring to the standard disclaimer that "any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental." Sure, there may legal reasons for such a statement, but it is often a lie, as is demonstrated in Mark Windegardner's The Godfather's Revenge, the sequel to The Godfather Returns, which is itself a follow-up to Mario Puzo's The Godfather.
For those familiar with the Godfather stories (and if you aren't, you should really not be reading this book without reading its predecessors first), this is the saga of the Corleone family, the dominant Mafia family in New York. The original book featured Vito Corleone, the patriarch of the family, but its real protagonist was Michael Corleone, Vito's reluctant heir. By the time of The Godfather Returns, Michael is firmly ensconced in his position, and he is still powerful at the beginning of the next book (which takes place in 1963 and 1964), albeit with some real threats to him and his family.
In particular, there is Nick Geraci, something of a doppelganger for Michael, who barely survived the events of Winegardner's previous book. Now, Nick has come out of hiding and has a plan to dethrone Michael. Meanwhile, New Orleans boss Carlo Tramonti, angered at his temporary deportation by the INS, is out to get the President who he blames for the arrest; he also has it in for Michael, who had backed the election of the current president.
Michael has problems closer to home as well. Tom Hagen, his step-brother and closest adviser, is accused of murder. Michael also has to deal with personal issues: complications from diabetes, an estrangement from his children and his guilt over ordering the killing of his own brother, Fredo.
Among the characters in the book are plenty who are meant to represent real life figures, despite whatever disclaimers are given. President Jimmy Shea and his crusading Attorney General brother Daniel are obviously John Kennedy and his brother Robert. Johnny Fontane bears more than a passing resemblance to Frank Sinatra, and there is even a brief appearance of a Mario Puzo clone called Sergio Lupo.
With his previous book, Gardener was technically proficient, but also overly ambitious; the result was a book that tried to do to much. To a lesser extent, The Godfather's Revenge has the same issues: it dances all over the place, with the lack of a true central character. Michael comes closest, but even he is not in much of the book (though his presence is always felt). Overall, however, Gardener has improved over his previous novel, so if you were satisfied with his earlier effort, you should enjoy this book as well.
Summary of The Godfather's Revenge
The original 1969 bestseller that became a landmark event in American popular culture.An American crime boss pursuing the mantle of legitimacy...A former top man on the run...The ambitious brother of a galvanizing young President...A New Orleans capo out for revenge...An Irish consigliere plunged into mortal peril. Five lives on a collision course with tragedy that will make history and shock the world-an unforgettable capstone to Mario Puzo's great American epic.
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