The only thing that fully prepares us for the climax of The Godfather’s Revenge is the title. I hope that isn’t a spoiler for you because I’m trying to write this without giving away the entire store anymore than Mark Winegardner did in the title itself. Indeed, one can sum up this novel (definitely a prequel to Godfather III) by saying that “These aren’t the Corleones you are looking for.” Tom Hagen plays a meaty role and Michael’s right-hand capo, Al Neri, serves as a key element in the plot. As for Michael, his diabetes is more involved in the story than Michael personally. There is none of the planning and detail for which we admire “Mikey” from his first appearance in the initial novel.Considering the initial novel, it is fair to note that Winegardner attempts to obscure some of the original assumptions as he weaves just enough reality into the fiction to obscure the familiar. For example, the epilogue tells us that the memoirs of one of the major characters have been novelized by one Sergio Lupo, author of two failed efforts entitled An Immigrant’s Tale and Trimalchio Rex respectively. If the author sounds vaguely familiar, it’s likely that the fictional novel, Fausto’s Bargain, represents an early version of The Godfather since Trimalchio Rex could easily be a cipher for the Romanesque protagonist of The Dark Arena and An Immigrant’s Tale is a pretty good description of The Fortunate Pilgrim. Since Frank Sinatra was angry at Puzo for drafting Johnny Fontane using composite elements of his life (ie. the actual threat to Dorsey with regard to brains or signature on the contract to release him), Winegardner lists Sinatra as a competitor to Fontane. Right! And how disguised are the Ivy League Irish brothers (sons of a patriarch who trafficked with the mafia) who become President of the U.S. and Attorney General of the U.S. with the help of Corleone and the Commission in stealing ballots in Illinois (I’m sure the Chicago River has eaten away at that 1960 ballot box by now.)? And could Carlo Tramonti be anything like Santos Trafficante, Jr. and Carlo Marcello (both allegedly involved in the attempted assassination of Fidel Castro in cooperation with the CIA)? Former caporegime Nick Geraci is back “from the dead” and provides a clear threat to both Michael Corleone’s existence and position as head of the family (and allegedly chief among equals in “this thing of ours”). There are elements of mystery (fairly thin, though) with regard to his ability to evade Michael’s manhunt and with regard to just who his allies really are. Without giving too much away, you can expect double-crosses on multiple sides of this story. Several characters may think that they are keeping their friends close and their enemies closer, but some discover that they may have confused the two. Of course, that’s to be expected in a good mafia story—trust and betrayal is the name of the game, just like Diplomacy.But just because I can’t write about this novel without talking about trust and betrayal, doesn’t mean that it isn’t full of standard fare like bloody hits and torturous interrogations. In fact, you may be surprised at the familiar figure who sleeps with the alligators instead of the “fishes” in this story. In addition, you may be surprised at those who are spared the worst part of a mob interrogation. It is a far cry from the “turkey doctors” to be seen in Don Pendleton’s Mack Bolan stories.The truth is that I liked this novel better than The Godfather Returns by the same author. The Godfather’s Revenge has a lot of the right elements that I would expect in such a novel. Yet, without those familiar dialogues where Michael and, first his father and later, Tom Hagen discuss threats and options, the pace seemed extremely slow at times. I’m glad I read this novel because I have always been fascinated by the characters, but it isn’t the briskly-paced escape reading I would have preferred.
I wasn't a big fan of the the Godfather's Return for several reasons but with this book I decided to give it a chance. While I still wasn't keen on the "new" characters, I did like that several of the original characters had once again returned.This book was more short and to the point as opposed to the Godfather Returns. Basically, the story was more closely related to real events as the original Godfather novel was so I liked that part quite a bit.Also I could tell at the end, there was a set up for another novel but that doesn't seem to be the case as this book (and its predecessor) were published 6 to 8 years ago. On top of that, a new book is coming out in May 2012 which has been written by a different author covering a different time in the Corleone story.Either way, I give this book a good rating because it did keep me interested in reading it from cover to cover as I was very interested to see how the story turned out. Besides with several of the original characters having returned, I could picture all of those characters (based on the Godfather movies) continuing on in their usual fashion.Even the death of Tom Hagen was a good part of the story because it keeps the story true to its roots the just because you are in the family doesn't mean you won't meet a bad end. I personally never saw the Corleone family as a bunch of indestructive characters but rather flawed characters who each in their own way would eventually become a victim of themselves and their decisions.
Do You like book The Godfather's Revenge (2006)?
This one was very similar to the "first" one in this series, The Godfather Returns. See my review on that one. I like that it continues the story and I have gotten pretty attached to a couple of the characters but overall, its pretty hard to follow. There are about a billion different story lines, usually more than one for each character, and they all have similar sounding nicknames. Its hard to keep eveyone straight and attached to all of the correct scandals and schemes (of which there are many) some continuing from the first book. That's not to say I wouldn't read another sequel if he wrote one, but I wouldn't say its my favorite book.
—Jenn
.Michael does everything to remain in control of his traditional business, but he's having trouble focusing in reality because his dead brother Fredo keeps reappearing in his mind. While Michael keeps having dreams about Fredo he also has to deal with the local and international issues. Also Nick Geraci, an old nemesis of Michael comes out of hiding while a fellow don is kidnapped by the government agents. Then the attorney-general Mr. Shea and his brother are trying to get rid of the Italians independence by showing America that they are the Mafia and they are dangerous to have them here.The Godfather series has always been a favorite in my family. If you want to learn more of the Corleone family I Suggest you read the series by Mario Puzo.
—Enisajusufi
Long detailed narratives, periodically punctuated by fast paced action. The long boring conversations inevitably contained some key detail.. The erratic pace frustrated. The plot is set in 1963 to 1964 between the 2nd and 3rd movie and gets tangled up with in the plan to assassinate Jimmy Shea, the President of the USA - Really! The tone is more like "Goodfellas" as is the "mobster-talk". The Godfather Timeline:1. The Godfather (film 1972) Summer 1945 to 19552. The Sicilian (novel 1984)3. The Godfather Returns (book 2004) is set between 1955 and 1962...mostly in Los Vegas and starts where Mario Puzo left off. His estate apparently chose Mark Winegardner to continue Puzo's legacy. 4. The Godfather II (film 1974) Parallel stories: Story I - 1958 to 1959 Story II - 1901, 1917, 1921, 1925, 1941.5. The Godfather's Revenge (novel 2006)6. The Godfather III (film 1990) 1959, then flashes forward to 1979, with references to real-life events, the death of the Pope, John Paul I, and the Vatican financial scandal in 1982. Mary Corleone is murdered in 1980.. and Michael Corleone dies in Corleone, Sicily in 1997.
—Suzlizjohnson
