32 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mark Winegardner does it again- A Satisfying "Interquel", November 11, 2006
As a longtime Godfather fan, I looked forward to Mark Winegardner's first sequel novel, "The Godfather Returns", since its announcement in 2002 to its publication in 2004. I read it in one sitting the first day it came out and loved it.
My feeling from news and reviews though, was that the general public and publishing industry viewed it as something of a disappointment (see the majority of its amazon reviews)
I never understood why that was the case. In "Returns", Mr Winegardner had done an excellent job of expanding the story and filling in the missing years of the Corleone Saga, which is exactly what he had been hired to do!
Because of this, I never thought another sequel would be written and was presently surprised when I read of this book's existence on the actual day of its release. (I keep up with upcoming major book publications and I hadn't read ANY articles about this book!)
That being said, "The Godfather's Revenge" is even better than "Returns". What I loved about it was that, like "Returns", it manages to both stay true to the spirit of AND expand upon the original novel, right down to its structure (A series of "books" make up this novel like the first two) Also, like the first two, it tells an expanded back story of one of the main characters (Vito Corleone in the original, Michael Corleone in Returns, Tom Hagen in this one)
This one is also better than the first sequel because its story centers on a really awesome plot point, one that true Godfather fans have always loved to speculate on but the films never addressed. That is - What involvement did the Corleones have in the assasination of JFK? (Here represented by a fictionalized version- "JAMES SHEA") I won't give it away, but students of history will clearly see the historical parallels in this fictionalized story just like in the original Godfather works.
What Mr. Winegardner also does exceptionally well is in expanding the roles of women into the saga, which reflects its now early 1960's setting. Theresa Hagen, Connie Corleone, and a new character introduced in "Returns", Sonny's daughter Francesca, are all integral to the story and are presented as vividly and three dimensionally as the men.
Also, if you read closely you will see that Mr. Winegardner slyly slips some subtle modern parallels into the framework of the novel. In my opinion, some of the descriptions of Michael's arch enemy Nick Geraci are clearly designed to remind the reader of Osama Bin Laden. In fact, one paragraph can even be seen as a stinging commentary on the life, career and presidency of George W Bush!
Overall, a must for Godfather fans. After reading this, I am looking forward to the next sequel, which should cover the end of this novel (1964) to the beginning of Godfather part 3 (1979) I can not wait to see where Mr. Winegardner will take the story next.
My title suggestion for the next sequel?
"THE GODFATHER'S LEGACY".
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ACES READING OF A CONTINUING SAGA, January 3, 2007
Who can forget the Corleone family? Whether first met between the pages of a book, in a darkened movie theater or on a smaller screen in your home, they were unlike any people most of us have known. Mario Puzo had introduced the world to the Mafia. Francis Ford Coppola brought gang members to all too vivid life on screen. For many (myself included) that would be enough.....and then I saw that this audio book was read by Joe Mantegna.
Tony award winner Mantegna, as many know, was the ultimate gangster on screen in "The Godfather: Part III" and "Bugsy." His voice is deep, resonant, and when he issues an order - you better hop to it. He never over-dramatizes, which would be easy to do in this fast-paced tale, but exercises such control that his narration is almost tight, if you will, rendering it compelling to the nth.
Winegardner (author of "The Godfather Returns") now mixes the Corleones with politics - a president and an attorney general (his brother) - think JFK. Michael Corleone has more than he can handle with Nick Geraci, once a devoted follower now a deadly rival, and one of his top men plotting to assassinate the president. There's the tie between the CIA and Mafia killers, and the reappearance of favorite characters - Johnny Fontane, the spineless crooner, and Tom Hagen, the Irish consigliere.
For this listener, one of Winegardner's most intriguing characters is Francesca Corleone Van Arsdale, Sonny's daughter, who is a chip (or chippy, if you will) off the old block.
The Corleone's never fail to amaze and entertain - thanks to a superb narration and an inventive story by Winegardner who writes with the approval of the Puzo estate.
- Gail Cooke
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11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
4 1/2 Stars -- A Very Satisfying Addition To The Godfather Series...If!, December 2, 2006
...you are interested in a well-written page-turner that -- like Winegardner's previous book, The Godfather Returns -- is driven mainly by its excellent character development. If, however, your interest is in a book that is filled with suspense and action, The Godfather's Revenge may not be for you. Winegardner not only strongly succeeds in taking the Corleone Family into the early '60s, he provides a very rich and well-developed characterization of two people that had a strong influence on the Corleone Family and its actions over the years -- Nick Geraci and Tom Hagen. Be aware that the focus of The Godfather's Revenge is on these characters; Michael Corleone, while always a powerful force in this series, is more of a secondary character. Most of the other characters from the past book are back in "Revenge" and Winegardner very effectively expands our understanding of them -- and particularly the female characters. Beyond the book's strength in the above areas, it -- in a somewhat quiet but powerful way -- weaves a fictionalized tale of some of the important historical events occurring in the time period in which this book takes place and of the Mafia's, and the Corleone's, role in influencing them (e.g., the presidential assassination, the Attorney General's (the president's brother's) "war" with the Mafia, the Bay of Pigs incident, etc.). Overall, The Godfather's Revenge is a book I'd highly recommend to those interested in the Godfather series and who enjoyed Winegardner's last book, as well as to anyone interested in a well-written book that succeeds on many levels. Once again, please be aware that The Godfather's Revenge is not the fastest "read" out there, but it is a highly satisfying book. I hope this review is helpful to you in deciding on whether or not to read The Godfather's Revenge.
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