The
Godfather This remarkable and trendsetting novel by Mario Puzo, which subsequently got itself made into a film of classical
excellence, is symptomatic of the times. The society is running after money and values are dying down. Strangely and ironically, the branded anti-socials are the ones with distinct values including family values! Ultimately, even a crime thriller becomes a success when it depicts some values. The boy from Sicily has come to America in search of a livelihood. But it is a merciless society which pushes him into the world of crime. In the process he
emerges as the
godfather of the clan from Sicily, the protector and dispenser of nemesis to wrongdoers. Now his family is renowned in the clan and the youngest one is the one not yet introduced into the world of crime as he is in the university! The boy, Michael, comes on a vacation, saves his father from the gang of criminals-police nexus while the godfather was struggling for life in the hospital and ultimately he emerges as the godfather. A known story but an unknown dimension will always remain. The film might have overshadowed the book, which is a rare phenomenon because of the great actors involved (Marlon Brando and Al Pacino). But the book, after all is the source. You can definitely enjoy the book more than the film. SATHYA