PXylem

Mario Puzo's book "The Godfather" gives an insight about the world of mafia in America in the early 40's and in the 50's. The book is about a Don and his beliefs, about his struggle to establish his empire despite many obstacles that come in his way.

Don Corleone is a real 'Don' of the mafia whose hands are soaked in blood. But there is another picture of him that makes him the "Godfather" of many lives. Those who were benefited by Don's benevolent work owed their good fortune to him.

What is a mafia? Like any other organ of the society, mafia is also a organ which cements its power by originating a law but this is the law of silence, the omerta.

Who are the mafia men? Mario Puzo's novel "The Godfather" describes:

They were those rarities, men who had refused to accept the rule of organised society, men who refused the dominion of other men. There was no force, no mortal man who could bend them to their will unless they wished it. They were men who guarded their free will with wiles and murder. Their wills could be subverted only by death. Or the utmost reasonableness.

The novel gets its pace and tone right from the opening sentences of the chapter 1 with Amerigo Bonasera sitting in New York Criminal Court Number 3 and waiting for justice filled with vengeance on the men who had so cruelly hurt his daughter, who had tried to dishonour her. But hell break loose when Amerigo Bonasera who all his years in America had trusted in law and order wasn't satisfied with the pronouncement of the order of the judge. And he, like many others who didn't get justice, decides "For justice we must go on our knees to Don Corleone."

Like Amerigo Bonasera, there were people like Johnny Fontane and Nazorine for whom meeting with a man who has the power, the wisdom, came as a necessary. The man is the Godfather. Don Corleone. He who takes others problems as his own.

The next moment the plot of the story goes to Don Corleone's daughter Constanzia Corleone wedding venue in Long Island. There Don meet with Amerigo Bonasera, Johnny Fontane and Nazorine and with a stoke of genius solve their problems.

But something that would interest everybody, and I was not the exception, was to understand Don, his philosophies, his way of thinking from the conversation that took place between him and Amerigo Bonasera.

Reacting on the plea by Amerigo Bonasera to murder the two boys who had disfigured his affectionate daughter, the Don held up his hand in rage and blurt out, "No. Don't speak. You found America a paradise. You had a good trade, you made a good living, you thought the world a harmless place where you could take your pleasures as you willed. You never armed yourself with true friends. After all, the police guarded you, there were courts of law, you and yours could come to no harm. You did not need Don Corleone. Very well. ....I am not that sort of person who thrusts his friendship on those who do not value it - on those who think me of little account. However, Amerigo Bonasera wish was at last granted by the Don.

In the wedding of the Don's daughter, all the important persons of the Don's empire is introduced one after another. In his empire his three sons Sonny Corleone, Frederico Corleone, alias Fred or Fredo and Michael Corleone are also included.

After the wedding, the story goes on along with many characters. Readers come to know about the Don, his life, how his image got transformed into the stature of a kindhearted Godfather who helped many. He is adorned with the characteristic of a statesman, who sees future, who understand the interdependency of national and international politics and its affect on its empire. Owing to his farsightedness and political insightedness, his men and women didn't suffer when in US Great Depression period striked.

The story takes a chilling turn when the Don is shot, got critically injured and was unable to deliver his duties. Following with it, events started unfurling so fast in the mafia world that Michael had to go hiding in Sicily after murdering one corrupt Police Captain and Sollozzo, the man who was behind the attack on Don's life. The Corleone family had to go to war against their rival families.

During the same period Don's first son Sonny Corleone who was very much active in the family business and who had the capability to run the mafia business, is murdered. As time proceeds, the Don gets well and he relinquishes his duties allowing Michael (Don's third son) to takeover.

Well, the transition was not simple. It was interspersed with the law of silence, the omerta of many enemies and of family's member. Michael kills Tessio, the friend and strong confidante of his father and his brother-in-law as they planned treachery against them.

Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather is fantastic, gripping and very much insightful. It has got all the elements that you would love to read again and again. It is not mere a story, it is a story of a time period woven around the mafia.

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Next review: Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee
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