The Godfather, by Mario Puzo

Courtesy of Google

This is not a book for children.  Depending on the person, it might not even be a teenager’s cup of tea.  Having finished it a few weeks ago, I honestly do not know if I would have appreciated it as a teenager the way I do now.  As time has passed, I hesitate before I assign age ranges to books I read.  There are obviously books that should not be given to young people to read, and this is one of them.  But I would say an emotionally mature 15-year old could read and enjoy The Godfather. 

This story is not just about the Mafia as an organization, but about the men who are part of it.  The main characters are very complex, and the reader can see how they tread the line between what we believe to be good and evil.  On the one hand, we have these men who simply want to get by on life on their own terms: they’re quite entrepreneurial.  They also strongly value family and family life; their wives and children live comfortably and well.  On the other hand, their business practices are brutal and cold-blooded.  They do negotiate and to an extent are even reasonable, but fear is a weapon they wield with great skill and authority.   They have incredible power and connections: their footholds in various circles, whether they’re political, professional, or the general public, put an interesting spin on the importance of what we call “networking” today. 

It’s a fast-paced read that will keep a curious reader engaged from the start.  It’s a thriller, a romance, and a drama, and thought-provoking in every way.  It’s about human beings, their imperfections, and their triumphs.  If you’re in the mood to read about the mob, I recommend this one.