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    The Godfather Multivoice Presentation
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    The Godfather Multivoice Presentation
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    The Godfather Multivoice Presentation
    Audiobook14 hours

    The Godfather Multivoice Presentation

    Written by Mario Puzo

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    The Godfather is an extraordinary novel which has become a modern day classic. Puzo pulls us inside the violent society of the Mafia and its gang wars.

    The leader, Vito Corleone, is the Godfather. He is a benevolent despot who stops at nothing to gain and hold power. His command post is a fortress on Long Island from which he presides over a vast underground empire that includes the rackets, gambling, bookmaking, and unions. His influence runs through all levels of American society, from the cop on the beat to the nation's mighty.

    Mario Puzo, a master storyteller, introduces us to unforgettable characters, and the elements of this world explode to life in this violent and impassioned chronicle.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateMay 1, 2017
    ISBN9781597103251
    Unavailable
    The Godfather Multivoice Presentation
    Author

    Mario Puzo

    Mario Puzo was the author of the international bestseller The Godfather and cowrote the screenplays for the Academy Award-winning trio of films based on the book. Puzo's other books include The Last Don and Omerta, both New York Times bestsellers.

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    Reviews for The Godfather Multivoice Presentation

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    • 5/5
      So. Good. Whether you want to approach this piece with a critical eye or as a "fun" beach read, it's worth it, even if it sparks some debate and maybe a little bit of animosity (which I see from these comments about the treatment of women). Still worth it for the sake of experiencing a story from the eyes of another, for dipping your toes in the said "pool" that is not-quite-but-almost-classic literature.So firstly, this book left me with that feeling of, "What now?" You know what I'm talking about. That feeling where even brand new books arriving in the mail don't quite make you as excited as they used to because their content is not comprised of the craziness that is the Cosa Nostra. True story. Also. Upon staying up much too late into the wee hours to simply finish this book (and I'm sure you also know what that's like), my feelings ultimately boiled down to one desire and that being "I want more Puzo."So maybe I looked up all the books he's ever written and threw them on my to-read list afterwards. What of it? Few things in life beat a really good organized crime novel and one which leaves you actually almost wishing to be a part of a big Sicilian mafia family (though, only as a bystander, of course, because we wouldn't want to endorse a life of racketeering or any other such nonsense ...).
    • 5/5
      This is a definite classic and shows the workings of the mafia. I never read the book before but I have seen the movie. Who could forget the dead horse's head in the bed? I enjoyed the book for all the extra information that was not in the movie. I listened to the audio and enjoyed it very much. If you haven't read this book, what are you waiting for?
    • 5/5
      Freaking loved this! I've always loved the movie so I don't know why it took me so long to check out the book! I was super impressed with how closely the movie followed the book as well! I'll definitely be reading the rest of the books in this series. I also had the good fortune of listening to the audiobook version which is narrated by a full cast! Complete with Italian accents! So good, I didn't want to stop listening! This book follows the Corleone family and the lengths they take to stay in power as one of the most powerful mafia families in New York City. It's dirty, compelling, raunchy, deep, twisted, and filled with an entire cast of unforgettable characters. If you loved the movie, you will love the book!!
    • 3/5
      In the forward to the 50th anniversary edition of The Godfather, Mario Puzo's son writes in a forward that prior to writing this book, his father had written three other novels that had all gotten excellent reviews, but hadn't sold many copies. With The Godfather , he was writing strictly for the money. He certainly accomplished his goal. Even 50 years after originally reading this book and seeing the movie that was made from it probably 50 times, this book is a page turner.What it isn't is great literature The novel is littered with deathless prose like: "Her hand closed around an enormous, blood-gorged pole of muscle. It pulsated in her hand like an animal and almost weeping with grateful ecstasy she pointed it into her own wet, turgid flesh. The thrust of its entering, the unbelievable pleasure made her gasp."Nevertheless, this is a classic, probably because much of the dialogue in the movie is lifted directly from the book. It's worth a read if only because this book rebooted the gangster genre and served as it's model for the next half a century.
    • 4/5
      The Godfather is every bit the classic as the movie and one of the few where I like both the book and the film. In my opinion, this is the heart of all Mafia type novels and I think there can be nothing better than this book. The book starts off with an introduction on what kind of a person Don Corleone is. He oozes respect and class. The first few lines you read about him, you know that although he's the type of person you would turn to and someone you can trust, there's another side of him you wouldn't want to see and better off not knowing. Throughout the book you get mini stories in between the actual real plot. You get the inside-out of other characters and their background stories. It does aid the plot in some areas, in others, it's just a way of knowing some extra information - which still makes it a great read. Yes, you do get the classical Mafia wars that's an automatic requirement to make this a "mob novel" but it's done in such a way where it's classy and although it's unfortunate to happen to some characters in the novel, you're left thinking: "Well..you should have known better in the first place". The characters are rich and filled with life throughout the book. I think it's thanks to these "mini stories" you have throughout the novel and it gives the characters more "flesh" so to speak. I like how they're all connected somehow with the Corleone family either through family relations, friendship, or the "favour" being done so the debt is being repaid. There's not too many characters to make it confusing, and there's even a specific part in the book where Puzo takes the time to explain to the reader which Don is which and of which family he is leader of, also he explains the ranks of Mafia as well to help the reader understand. He does a great job with explaining carefully that you're not left lost or wondering who is who. It may feel like there's a lot of characters but there's really just a group of central characters that you have to focus on which makes it less confusing and a much enjoyable read.The plot is very well done. There are certain parts where the plot "takes a break" and it may bother some readers, it didn't bother me I actually enjoyed the mini stories and in some cases it helps you understand how a certain character's relationship with the Don came to be. Things that may bother some readers, some gory details, naturally this is a Mafia book so there will be blood. There are racial slurs and moments of misogyny and sexism. If you can read through that without bothering you, then this book will be a great read. I think it's a classic. The only real beef I have with this particular edition of the book is there are a lot of grammatical and spelling errors. I don't know why there's so many errors but it does get in the way of certain phrases and some spelling errors are so blatantly obvious.Overall a great Mafia read and although it's a whopping 500 plus page book I don't regret it. It's definitely worth the time. I like both the movies and the book and will probably put this book among my favorites.
    • 5/5
      Even if you have seen the movie, read the book! The excitement carries over. The words are rich and lush, yet graphic. Puzo is an excellent writer and paints a very vivid picture of life in the family. While based in reality, this is a work of fiction. However if you know the real and factual story of the mafia you will know who these characters are in real life.
    • 4/5
      Works somewhat better than the movie as it expands more on the characters, especially Don Corleone himself (a story that only got told in the second movie). Some parts of it seem pulpish and unnecessary like the whole story on Ms. Mancini and her *anatomy*.
    • 4/5
      Page turner - pacy, fascinating, perfect beach read
    • 5/5
      Excellent book!!
    • 4/5
      I first read this when it was a new book. The librarian probably should not have recommended it to the schoolgirl I was then, but I quite understand why she did. I had only remembered an incident in the first chapter and the last page or two. It seems to me today that the sex scenes are hardly worth mentioning given the strength of the whole novel, but of course they are more common now in mainline fiction.I'm glad I reread it.
    • 5/5
      Wow. Incredible book. Made the movie even better.
    • 5/5
      Really enjoyed the added depth and appreciate the screenplay adaptation now.
    • 3/5
      Mario Puzo's The Godfather is distinguished for a number of reasons, and not just because it spawned two of the greatest films ever made. It's also distinguished because, in my humble opinion, like Peter Benchley's Jaws, it's on another very short list, that is, books where the movies were better than the book.

      Americans will always have a fascination with the underworld. If I remember right, this book is based loosely on the Bonanno crime family of New York, who were in the news a lot at that time, as one generation of Bonannos gave way to another. I recall either before or after reading this one, I read Gay Talese's Honor Thy Father, a non-fiction look at the Bonanno family, which I thought was far better (written, anyway) than this.

      I think too that like most of us, I should confess I read the book after seeing the movies, so my standalone judgment about the book is no doubt clouded by my appreciation for the films.

      I'll admit as well I read this one a l-o-n-g time ago, but I do remember thinking that it was more Arthur Hailey potboiler than hard-boiled crime fiction. I remember it delving into more mundanity in the lives of the Corleone family than the movies did. And I remember it having a lot more Johnny Fontaine than I thought necessary.

      But, like Jaws, none of that matters, because it was all corrected (with Puzo's help) in the screenplay of the films. In fact, The Godfather Parts I and II are on another (in my humble opinion) very short list, that is, films where the sequel is better than the original.

      I'll close on an even more inflammatory note: The Godfather Part III is not as bad as you remember.
    • 5/5
      Having never watched the movie, I was intrigued by this book because Puzo had been mentioned in a book about Nevada authors/books that take place in Nevada. Years after Puzo was planted into my brain as a to-read author, I found a copy of The Godfather and I am so happy that I did.

      I was not expecting much when I started reading, but this book kept me turning pages and hoping for more time in the day to read! I am not particularly into "mobster" or "gangster" movies or books, and so I was totally unprepared to be so quickly and utterly engrossed in this novel. I can only credit this to Puzo's excellent writing--not a new found interested in gangster lore.

      However, I didn't get to hear much about Nevada...so I guess I will have to grab the next book!!
    • 5/5
      Impossible to put down. Puzo is not a great writer by any means - he repeats certain descriptions to the point that you want to scream - but the story is absolutely compelling. I had this book around the house for years, then picked it up in desperation when I needed something to read in the bathroom - and it was pretty much nonstop from there!
    • 5/5
      Fabulous, Outstanding, you really learn 'bout how interesting a criminal personality can be.
    • 4/5
      Unmistakably trashy at times, but irresistible. The plotting, intrigue and characterisation are brilliantly combined as Puzo skilfully weaves various times, places and people together. The romance/airport touches are easily forgiven in light of such an entertainingly told saga.
    • 5/5
      A friend recently loaned me her copy of this book. I've seen the movies, love them all, and, not surprisingly, enjoyed the book. As is often the case, a movie just can't compete with the level of detail and nuance that a full novel can provide. In this case, I couldn't help but connect my memories of the movies with the particulars of the novel. The faces, the accents, the atmosphere. The mythology of "The Godfather", for me, is completely tied to the movie and so my expectations were just a little off-kilter when reading the book. The story, in large part due to its familiarity, reads very quickly. The plot points are thick, though the conclusions rather abrupt - as abrupt as a bullet shot through a revolver. Puzo blends plot conclusions which their preceding detail, in a very stylistic way - Sonny's bullet-ridden body is brought to the funeral before we find out how he was hit during an ambush at a toll booth. The final scenes read very similar to Francis Ford Coppola's signature chop-cut conclusions to his "Godfather" films, and one gets some insight into the vision behind the visuals.This is a terrifically iconic work and I highly recommend the read to any fan of the films. This will only build on the mythology and intensity and depth of the individual characters.
    • 4/5
      I can't believe it took me this long to read this book! I've seen the movie easily dozens of times, but not read this. AND, it was published the year I was born! What was I waiting for?"He claimed that there was no greater natural advantage in life than having an enemy overestimate your faults, unless it was to have a friend underestimate your virtues."Anyway, the genius of the movie is self-evident within these covers! A great deal of the movie is literally plucked from these pages - dialogue too! Book I is awesome, and Book III is the story of Vito Andolini - they storyline in Godfather II with Robert DeNiro as the young Don to be. I really liked the extra information about Genco Abbondando, the weird (my words) appearance of a "Coppola" character in Book I, and the extra background stories of Luca Brasi and Albert Neri. All of the stories about the Corleone family just rocked!That brings me to my negatives. Book II was almost like filler, but for no reason. Johnny Fontane in Hollywood. Big whoop!?! Seriously, skip it and it absolutely won't matter to the Corleone storyline. And the lengthy bits about Lucy and her doctor? Why on earth are they in this book? So we can learn about reconstructive vaginal surgery? Wha, wha, what? Again, none of it mattered AT ALL to the main story! Puzo must have had some kind of page number minimum he felt he must reach, so vaginal surgery it is! Cut out Fontane, Lucy, and the doctor, and this would be one of the best books ever written! I'm super glad I read this, and when I do re read it, I'll skip the parts that I mentioned and it will be epic!
    • 4/5
      Though it took me quite a long time I always wanted to go back to the book and read it. I really enjoyed the character depiction. The character of Don Coreleone was legendary. Overall i'm happy that I could read a great novel. Looking forward to watch the movie.
    • 4/5
      When this book first came out I was working in an insurance office in Boston with a lot of Italian girls from the North End. I remember their almost whispering about this book -- the fear/respect for the Mafia was so ingrained in them. Growing up in the 50s and 60s, much of the time not far from New York, the doings of the Mob were a daily or weekly part of the news. This was the first novel I know of that explored that culture of crime and family. I suppose we have it to blame for TV shows like "Growing Up Gotti," but it's still a great read.
    • 3/5
      Even though The Godfather isn't my usual type of reading, I couldn't avoid this cult-classic any longer. It is one of the books that I hear the most cultural references to (though these could be instead ascribed to the movies). I haven't seen the theatrical blockbusters, as I always try to read the books first.The story opens in 1946, just after World War II, in New York City. Don Vito Corleone is holding a wedding for his daughter, and the guest list and interactions of various characters allows us the first glimpse into the powerful world of the mafia. After the Don is shot by the minions of a rival family, the Corleone family's world is thrown out of balance amidst betrayals, assassinations, and shifts in power, as well as the beginning of a war between the five New York mafia families.For the first quarter of this book, I was really enjoying the story. It was, as I had expected, action packed, but I was also fascinated by the details of the Corleone's life: the positions that someone may hold and the various paths to promotion, the Don's accumulation of favors that he distributes in case the need may one day arise to collect on them, and the vocabulary of the story, "button man" for a sort of esteemed personal bodyguard, "going to the mattresses," and most importantly, omerta, the almost sacred Sicilian code of silence.After the conclusion of Part One, I gradually lost interest in the story. Michael's exile in Sicily had removed the story from the delicately violent world of the mafia, but replaced it with little but casual strolls through town and a silly fixation he develops with a female character who is described in terms closer to a deer than a human. The book seemed to wander about, in need of plot fillers until the final plan for the end (which I had seen coming as soon as Michael was first introduced). A portion of the story goes back in time and chronicles the story of Vito Corleone before he was a powerful mafia Don, which seemed forced and drawn out.Another few chapters are devoted to a very minor character with no real connection to the plot. The distinguishing aspect of her characterization is the fact that she has an abnormally large vagina. There is nothing else to her except for this - nothing. We spend chapter upon chapter first listening to her tell us all about how she misses her ex (or rather, misses being in bed with him), due to his freakishly enormous member. Yeah, really. We then get to hear about how she has found another boyfriend that she really likes (and wants to sleep with), but she won't have sex with him due to her secret "problem," causing him to believe that she isn't serious about him. Later, they do have sex, and he suggests and plans, without asking her, for her to have reconstructive surgery on her vagina. Well, the man must at least be related to the mafia, in order to tie this outlandish plot detour back into the story, right? Maybe one of the Don's three sons, or a close confidante? No. He's just a random guy. I kept waiting for something relevant to involve this vagina-story with the rest of the book, but nothing appeared.Feminists may want to steer clear of this book or go in prepared to overlook pretty much every female character. The mafia live in a world controlled and dominated by men, and none of the women are treated very well by Puzo. Even the stronger women of the story, such as Kay, come off as abrasively helpless. The Don's wife, whom I kept thinking probably had a story to tell, has resigned herself to simply praying for her husband, as she knows that she cannot influence or change her family's life. And, of course, there are plenty of objectified women whose relations with the male characters are purely sexual.When the three Corleone sons are introduced, the fact that Sonny is gloriously well endowed takes up far more space than all the other characterizing facts put together. The second son's way with the ladies seems to be all that is of note about him, and Puzo makes sure to tell us about Michael's sensual good looks and sexual prowess.I severely disliked the character of Johnny, a movie-star and former singer who appears to be inspired by Frank Sinatra. He is absolutely pathetic, and I especially disliked all of the descriptions of his sexual appetites, which seemed to be for young, virginal starlets. In one wild scene at the Academy Awards, all of the guests clamor for a live "coupling" between the male "Best Actor" and the female "Best Actress," which is actually about to take place on stage until the drunk best man is carried out by a friend. Really? This seems believable?I was disappointed to enjoy this book less and less as it went, as I did find the first part thrillingly fun. Perhaps the movies will be an improvement.
    • 5/5
      Mario Puzo brings to life the 1940s (and earlier) eras of the Mafia in full force. This book, as well as the trilogy of movies that came from it, shows the inner politics of the Mafia. It also shows how human, loving, and caring the characters are, which makes it difficult to support OR damn the characters. Truly a classic that should be read by anyone who enjoys fiction and drama.
    • 5/5
      A classic saga of the Corleone family, one of the organized crime families in New York, led by Vito Corleone of Sicily, later by his youngest son, Michael Corleone when the Don lost much of his vitality and power after an attack by another crime figure. The novel is a masterpiece of lust for power, influence, respect and wealth, counterbalanced by the oft-conflicting bonds of family and loyalty. As fine as the first two "Godfather movies were, they pale next to the impact of this book, the final paragraph of which illuminates with crystalline clarity the opposing forces that roil within the family of the Godfather.
    • 5/5
      Top 5 books of all time; makes you love and hate people at the same time; gives you characters that just can't be real then you see them lose it all; makes you feel all the sadness; heartache; triumphs and celebrations of life while seeing the ugliness of man and how low he will go to get what he wants
    • 4/5
      The Godfather (part 1) is the best movie ever made without nudity in it, and that is a proven fact which nobody can argue with. I know you've all seen it, so I'm not even going to get into plot or characters here. Instead, I'm going to be bold and unconventional, and subject you to a reverie of my personal past instead (so y'all better vote for this review, bitches!)(WAVY SCREEN EFFECTS ACCOMPANIED BY THE SOUND OF SOMEBODY RUNNING THEIR FINGERS OVER HARP STRINGS) An older cousin of mine, whom I looked up to in that embarrassing way early-adolescents do, was a huge fan of the film. This being the early 1980's, and my family having neither cable television nor a VCR player, the book was really my only access to the story. Honestly, I wanted to be as excited about The Godfather as my cousin -thinking our mutual enthusiasm would be a point of bonding between us (but in reality, it probably wouldn't have been, just because of our respective ages and personalities). To my disappointment, the book didn't blow me away like I was hoping. ...Don't get me wrong; the gangsters and violence and the secret underworld of the mafia were all very interesting... but nothing to get obsessed about, the way, for example, I had been with Star Wars (the second best movie ever made without nudity). For a long time, I opined that I had gone into the story with overhyped expectations that no book could reasonably live up to. Now I'm not so sure. My wife and I lived in Sicily for two years*, where the Godfather still lives large in the popular culture. Souvenier stands there sell caseloads of the DVD, but rarely did we see the book offered. On viewing the movie again about a year ago, I could still see how well done it is. I think this is one of those rare cases where the film is better than the book. Maybe Francis Ford Coppola is a more skilled director than Puzo is a writer... it's hard to make comparisons like that. What I really think is that the story just lends itself better to visual media than the written word. In the movie, there's that famous montage where the Corleone family is attending a child's baptism, while their agents are slaughtering various enemies around the city. It's a powerful visual juxtaposition condensed to about a minute of screentime. Visually, that imagry was very cohesive, but reading the same thing would be very disjointed and much more drawn out. The only part where I remember liking the book better than the film is where Puzo explains how Don Corleone ensures the hitman's (sorry, I don't recall his name here) loyalty, because although said hitman is not afraid of death, he is terrified that his death would be at the hands of the Don. Now that I've just told you that part, you can rent the movie and forget about the book, secure that you've chosen the superior way of experiencing this tale. * Meredith, this review is exactly like that time I used to live in Sicily.
    • 3/5
      This is a case where the movie was better than the novel. The writing is very nice, but it goes on forever on tangents and skirts the most thrilling and/or violent scenes. In the end, it reads more like an essay about the mafia, or a political figure than a novel. There are still great parts and Don Corleone is much more magnificent than his counterpart in the movie, but it still fell flat for me.
    • 5/5
      Very good book this. I havent seen the films yet I have heard they are really worth watching. Well I can confirm this book didnt disappoint. Very good story loads of characters but not confusing at all. Its really 2 stories the first of Don Corleone the Boss and then later the story of his son Michael who takes over the family business. Best book I have read for a while.
    • 3/5
      This book was pretty amazing. As a die-hard lover of the movie, I just had to read the book - even though reading the book after watching the movie always ruins the latter. And I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. The book was definitely better, naturally, but the movie keeps closely to it.My favorite part of this book, honestly, was the characters and story lines the movie passes over. The film obviously had a time constraint that the book did not, and wow does it make a difference. I loved the addition of the family's business out in Vegas; it offered a darkly glitzy element to the crime and murder aspect. It also went into far greater detail about the Five Family's histories with each other - some very interesting pieces the film (inexplicably) failed to mention.A definite must-read.
    • 5/5
      Awesome read!