Fools Die (Signet) [Paperback]

Mario Puzo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1979 | Series: Signet

Played out in the worlds of gambling, publishing and the film industry, Merlyn and his brother Artie obey their own code of honour in the ferment of contemporary America, where law and organized crime are one and the same. Follow the action from New York to Las Vegas.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Fools Die is my personal favorite. I thought I tried some new things in fiction, and I was very happy when it was a success. --Mario Puzo --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

About the Author

Mario Puzo was born in New York. He is the author of the bestselling novel The Godfather and many other acclaimed novels. Puzo also wrote many screenplays, including those for the three Godfather movies, for which he won two academy awards. He died at his home in Long Island, New York, at the age of seventy-eight. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 1 pages
• Publisher: Signet (October 1, 1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451141458
• ISBN-13: 978-0451141453
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,504,642 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than Godfather, November 20, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Fools Die (Mass Market Paperback)

Godfather is a shallow action thriller compared to Fool's Die. Don't be fooled by the superficially simple title, this tale of a mans life is a modern David Copperfield. At times I consider Fool's Die my favorite book of all time. This seems to be Puzos sleeper novel, I can't believe there are no other reviews for it. The most enjoyable aspect is the main character's realistically flawed choices in life, a man at once both honorable and improvident. This book is required reading to all intelligent men, especially aspiring writers(the main character is a writer), who should relate to the main character's dilemmas and trials.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpice From A Brilliant Storyteller!!!, May 27, 2005

By 

John Baranyai "Book Nerd And Ex High School G... - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fools Die (Mass Market Paperback)

I first read this book when it was released back in 1979 ( Ah, My Sweet Lost Youth!!!)and I was so impressed by it that I wanted to write a letter to the author teling him how much I enjoyed it. This book has it all. Lust, greed, treachery, deception, sex and violence all the way from the High Roller Gambling Rooms of Las Vegas to the Shores Of Japan. The main character is a guy named Merlyn who somehow believes that he is a type of magician who can control his destiny.Another character worth mentioning is the writer Osano who desperately seeeks refuge from his loneliness in a heady mixture of drugs, casual sex and booze. All of this is deftly handled by Mr. Puzo and the reader is in for one heck of a roller coaster ride!!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating Developed Characters, November 7, 2002

By 

thomas w. rasch - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fools Die (Mass Market Paperback)

The book starts off with a bang - a distillation so to speak of the work of character in the book.

You can read the first few pages on Amazon. I did and it inspired me to go to the local bookstore and buy the paperback. Well, after the short and introspective "book 1," the scenes shifts to an introduction to the initial characters and the setting is the Xanadu in Las Vegas.

Many cool intricacies of the casino and its management are extra added info as the flow of character development builds nicely.

Of particular interest though throughout is the relationships between men and women. The thinking and vocal great author Osano, he of seven wives, gives some very interesting thoughts concerning this subject!

Gronevelt is brilliant. The tough casino operator who lives and dies by "the percentage." Countdown Cully is memorable, so slick and sharp. Jordan figures heavily in the beginning. Merlyn is mostly the narrator throughout and most things are seen through his eyes and written by his pen. Merlyn himself - a study in contrasts and surprises.

Bisexual Janelle, who loves Merlyn more than any other man is comprehensively explored. Merlyn loves her deeply.

But he also loves his wife who makes him happy. She though, in contrast with other characters, is hardly developed at all.

The hollywood crowd is vistited upon also. Not very nice people those folks, one would think after reading Fools Die!

All in all, this book has plenty of merit even in addition to the fact that it was fun to read.