The Godfather Returns

A Novel

By: Mark Winegardner

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 20 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Thirty-five years ago, Mario Puzo's great American tale, The Godfather, was published, and popular culture was indelibly changed. Now, in The Godfather Returns, acclaimed novelist Mark Winegardner continues the story, the years not covered in Puzo's best-selling book or in Francis Ford Coppola's classic films.

It is 1955. Michael Corleone has won a bloody victory in the war among New York's crime families. Now he wants to consolidate his power, save his marriage, and take his family into legitimate businesses. To do so, he must confront his most dangerous adversary yet, Nick Geraci, a former boxer who worked his way through law school as a Corleone street enforcer, and who is every bit as deadly and cunning as Michael. Their personal cold war will run from 1955 to 1962, exerting immense influence on the lives of America's most powerful criminals and their loved ones.

Sweeping from New York and Washington to Las Vegas and Cuba, The Godfather Returns is the spellbinding story of America's criminal underworld at mid-century and its intersection with the political, legal, and entertainment empires. Mark Winegardner brings an original voice and vision to Mario Puzo's mythic characters while creating several equally unforgettable characters of his own. The Godfather Returns stands on its own as a triumph in a tale about what we love, yearn for, and sometimes have reason to fear...family.

©2004 The Estate of Mario Puzo (P)2004 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The Godfather Returns is not only a real book by a real writer. It's also a real pleasure, a fine swirling epic: bitter, touching, funny, and true." (The New York Times Book Review)
"A phenomenally entertaining, psychologically rich saga that spans the entire Godfather years imagined in novel and film by Mario Puzo....A wholly absorbing novel that's written beautifully, with great skill and passion. Godfather fans will love this tale." (Publishers Weeekly)

Fantastic entertainment

Narrator Sott Brick did a brilliant job and the book itself is as good or better than the original. Wonderful detail in many interesting areas. One of my favorite audibles yet.

Still a Classic....

The Godfather Returns isn't quite as good as the original, but this is still a classic nevertheless. A must-read and a must listen. Winegardener does a great job in continuing where the first Godfather book left off and this version does certainly explains some of the details that the movie does not go into. In fact, if they wanted they could probably come up with another movie with all of the plot lines that the movies left out. The narration is superb and in general, I would certainly recommend this book for anyone, who enjoys any of the material pertaining to the Godafather Saga!!! My only complaint... I wish the music from the movies' soundtrack with present somewhere on the audio file.

Very Good

What did you love best about The Godfather Returns?

I loved reading about characters that were just minor people in the original series.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes by doing great tie ins to the original story.

Any additional comments?

Great add on to the original story

Great all the way through

This truly a great strory that delvs into the lives of the Corleone family. Winegarden did a tremendous job with the storylines. A must read/listen for any fan of The Godfather.

Satisfying

I finally have closure! Winegardner did a great job finishing what Puzo started. He expanded the stories in a gratifying way.

The Godfather Returns

I can honestly say that I never thought that it was not Puzo writing, the book was seamless in its follow through and carried out to a satisfactory ending, although I wish it was still continnuing. Winegardners writing leaves one with the feeling that the characters were alive and real.

In Good Hands

Puzo can rest easily, the Godfather Saga is now in the very capable hands of Mark Winegardner. He did a brilliant job fleshing out our favorite characters from Puzoland. An extremely satisfying read, I was sorry when it was over. Kudos to Scott Brick for another masterful narration.

slow start , great book

starts off a little slow and at first I had a hard time adjusting to the subtle differences period but once you do this it really is a great book and lives up to the legend

Puzo lives

What a blast from the past, and literally too! Winegardner takes us back through bits of the lives of our favourite Mafia clan, and even though it is 30 years or so since I read the original it was just like reliving it again (or maybe one of the movies). Altogether an enjoyable day or two spent reading "whatever became of...?"

Like the Original

It may not be Puzo, but the rhythm and style of the storytelling sure is similar. The plot has all the depth of the original 'Godfather' and covers all the events that the first books stayed away from.