Kevin's Watch

Just got this book for my birthday. In truth, I didn't even know there was a book. Has anyone read it? It's a part of some classic series, so I guess some deem it a classic. My dad thought it was as good as the movie, which I also have not seen. I know, and I live in NJ.

The Godfather is a great book. Lot of stuff in the book that wasn't in the movie from what I recall. If you like it, I'd recommend reading Puzo's other books like The Sicilian (the followup book to the Godfather) and The Last Don (another Mafia saga but with a different family).

I've read it, but I still prefer the movie.

I think the books were much better, but then, I usually do. I have a strange bias against movies made from books.

I especially like the way that they describe the young Vito Corleone's "establishment" as a man who could get things done for you, etc.

Also recommend The Fourth K by him. Good books.

--Avatar

Avatar wrote:I think the books were much better, but then, I usually do. I have a strange bias against movies made from books.

Heh...I totally understand that. Movies made from books have almost always had a sad tradition of being terrible, IMHO. There have been a few notable exceptions, though.

Very few.

I'm so bad, that if I've read the book that a movie was based on, friends and family tend to refuse to watch it with me. Spend the whole movie muttering "That didn't happen..." or "They left out..."

--Avatar

A really bad translation was God and Generals. Man, boring movie, and pretty different from a great book (great if you like military history anyway).

I read the novel just last month. The first two movies are two of my favorite movies of all time.
There is a lot of hidden references in the movies to parts in the book.

If you're a fan of the movies, the book is a must-read in my opinion.
It's written in that 'omni-present' point-of-view narrative; which is not as popular anymore.
The novel also goes on on great tangents with minor charactors; giving you half of their life stories in just a few pages.

Great read. I was disappointed when I was done that I couldn't keep reading!

drew wrote:...The novel also goes on on great tangents with minor charactors; giving you half of their life stories in just a few pages.

Great read. I was disappointed when I was done that I couldn't keep reading!

These parts of the description sound like much fun...

One or two scenes from the movie(s?) were much-referenced around my house, growing up!
(pretty sure anyone who's seen it can guess what one of those is!)

Also, good to see you drew!

Good to be seen =)

Which parts were you talking about though..?

One involved a horse's head!
That's the one I was talking about.

I don't remember other specific quotes right now...
There was a certain tone of voice and demeanor that went with the quotes, though. (so you knew they were probably from "The Godfather," even without having seen it!)

Great to see you on here again, drew! I'm a big fan of your Let's Pretend We're In The Close thread in In Pursuit Of Mallory! Thanks for all your contributions, but especially for that thread!

Hmmm, I think I should read this again. Actually, I don't own a copy...should look for one.

Also, nice to see you around Drew. 'Bout time.

--A

Cord Hurn wrote:Great to see you on here again, drew! I'm a big fan of your Let's Pretend We're In The Close thread in In Pursuit Of Mallory! Thanks for all your contributions, but especially for that thread!

Well; I'll be honest and say that I did not remember that one until I followed your link. It was pretty entertaining.

But thread drift-thread drift! We gotta get back to Mario Puzzo's masterpiece here!

Fans of the movies; who haven't read the book might be entertained to read the history of Vito Corleone coming to America is actually in the novel; though it didn't get filmed until the second movie

Yeah, I really enjoyed those parts of the novel.

--A

I've seen the film and having read John Dickie's book Cosa Nostra on tho origins of the Mafia would be interested to read GF's take on the Sicilian part of the story. Alas my library don't see fit to hold a copy so looks like I'll have to spring for one on eBay which to a tight-fisted Cornish man like me, makes me ( ).

Can't your library order it from another or something?

--A

They probably could Av, but they don't like being interupted in the midst of their animated discussions about their private lives and being made to actually do some work, so it's easier not to bother.

Uh, while I sympathise with the "easier not to bother" point of view, that's not how it works. In fact, you're just encouraging them...

--A

You convinced me. Next Saturday I'm going to go down there and.....and...... I know not what, but be sure it will be cataclysmic in it's effect!