60 pages • 2 hours read
Mario PuzoThe Godfather
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1968A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Godfather, a novel by Mario Puzo, follows the Corleone crime family in New York City from 1945 to 1955, centering on the patriarch Don Vito Corleone; as he refuses to join a narcotics operation, an ensuing conflict leads to his son Michael's transformation from an outsider to the family's new head, navigating power struggles and betrayal to reinforce the family's dominance. The novel features depictions of murder, physical assault, sexual violence, and infanticide, and includes racist language and stereotypes.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Godfather by Mario Puzo has been praised for its compelling narrative and richly developed characters, immersing readers in the intricate world of the Mafia. Many appreciate its vivid storytelling and complex moral dilemmas. However, some criticize it for occasional melodrama and stereotypical portrayals. Overall, it's a gripping, influential crime novel.
Who Should Read The Godfather?
The ideal reader for Mario Puzo’s The Godfather enjoys intricate crime sagas, moral complexities, and deep family dynamics. Fans of complex narratives like those found in Mario Puzo's The Godfather would likely be enthralled by the world-building and character development in similar crime classics such as F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series.