Review: The Godfather (Mario Puzo)

It is a little known fact about me that I’ve never watched more than the first twenty minutes of the film The Godfather.

I can physically hear film addicts scream at me through the screen as I type this.

Please don’t get me wrong, I really want to and I’ve bought the trilogy to motivate me; it just hasn’t happened yet. Another (irrelevant) fact about me is that I have never got a question about The Godfather or the soundtrack wrong in any pub quiz in my life, don’t ask me how. I am pleased to say that I have now corrected this by reading the novel; which as a reader is the way I prefer to do things anyway.

I will admit that this genre isn’t something I would normally choose to read if I was given the option, however I decided to delve into Mario Puzo’s novel as it’s so well established as a classic. As a commuter I have plenty of time to read, something I am definitely grateful for as it means I have the chance to vanish into another world for two lots of twenty minutes every day. What I wasn’t grateful for is the utter obsession with the Mafia that this book then gave me. I spent my lunch periods for over a week researching the origins and history of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra and their journey to New York to become the infamous ‘Five Families’, what their involvement was with infamous members of American historical figures such as Al Capone and which branches were still active and where.

My conclusion after reading The Godfather is that it’s a truly unique experience. From my research into the subject, I understand that its 1969 publication was the first introduction of Italian criminal vocabulary into a wider English-speaking audience. The back story to the plot is absolutely fascinating; the idea of Johnny Fontane being based around Frank Sinatra and the Don, Vito Corleone, being centred around the real-life actions of bosses Frank Costello and Carlo Gambino of the Luciano and Gambino families, adds an air of historicity to the novel which makes you question how much of it could have actually happened in 1940’s and 50’s New York. The book itself is so well written that it feels like every time there’s a ‘hit’ on a character, you’re standing bang centre in the middle of the crime scene waiting for the police to arrive and arrest you. The Corleone family all have such different personalities that I am glad that Puzo included their inner conflicts within the text, as well as providing them with situations where they must work together and result in a strong and reckon-able force against the other Families. A particularly warming moment for me was the demonstration of love and worry shown by Santino (‘Sonny’) for his sister Connie.

Out of all of the books I have read since I started this blog, I can confidently say that this one has stood out the most and for all of the best reasons. The story is captivating, the characters are complex and as the plot is rumoured to be based around real events, it comes as no surprise how lifelike and interesting the narrative is. If you are going to read any book that I’ve reviewed then please make it this one. I really can’t wait to carry on with the rest of the series.

 

 

Review: Woman of the Dead (Bernhard Aichner)

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Woman of the Dead; a translation of the best selling novel by Bernhard Aichner. The novel has been released today following its wave of success in Austria. It has already been listed as one of The Telegraph’s “Best Crime Fiction Books of 2015” creating a strong air of expectation surrounding the translation.

From the opening we are greeted with our protagonist Blum, an undertaker working in her family’s business. Not content with her (frankly abusive) father, she takes the lives of her parents into her own hands and they suffer an ‘accident’ out at sea. This strong opening chapter already highlights why Aichner is poised to be a new star in crime fiction. The death of her parents serves as an introduction for Mark; a police officer on leave who happens to stumble across the crime scene. The book then skips ahead several years and focuses on the marriage of Mark and Blum, their two children and their seemingly normal life. The quick death of Mark in a motorbike accident leaves Blum stunned and unable to continue with daily life, but is all as it seems?

The layout of the narrative is personally not for me. While the plot is dark and exciting, the dialogue between the characters occasionally feels slightly clunky. There are large sections of pure conversation; a writing technique I am not particularly fond of but that is just personal preference. The plot itself is captivating and thoroughly explored throughout with you constantly wondering if and when Blums actions will be discovered. The revelation that Aichner spent six months working as an undertaker comes as no surprise, the detailing around her line of work is exceptionally precise and contributes to the dark undertones of the novel.

Overall Aichner has written a truly captivating book. This thriller has a fantastic storyline, unique to anything else I have ever read. Despite her murderous tendencies; arguably forced upon her by the situations she finds herself in, Blum is a relatable character that while you desperately want her to find the answers she seeks, will scare you slightly with what she is capable of. This is the darkest book I have read in quite a while, and has made me eager to exploring the genre.

As the opening book of a trilogy I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a thriller (although be warned; this is particularly dark!). There is a rumoured movie adaptation and his next novel House of the Dead will continue the series.

The book is available today (9th April 2015) and can be purchased in all the normal sources.

(Image property of Amazon UK)

Review: The Defence – Pre-release Chapters (Steve Cavanagh)

The Defence is the first novel by crime writer Steve Cavanagh, an author named as a ‘Rising Star of 2015’ by Amazon. With a background in Law, Cavanagh seems perfectly poised to pen a successful legal thriller. Publishers Orion Crime released a teaser three chapters of this upcoming novel twenty four hours ago and without knowing what to expect, I dived in.

It’s very rare to find a book that has you hooked from the first sentence, but with one like “Do exactly as I tell you or I’ll put a bullet in your spine”, how can you resist? Now, I am relatively new to the genre of criminal fiction, but I know this will be something special.

Chapter One brings us the necessary details about our protagonist Eddie Flynn, an ex-con artist turned successful lawyer turned alcoholic (an interesting insight from someone involved in the law themselves!). There are several subtle references to a break from law centered around a past case defending stockbroker Ted Berkley, something I assume will be expanded on as the story continues. The first chapter is gripping right from the opening sentence, the plot goes from strength to strength and as little as three pages in you are shocked at the developments.

Through the next two chapters we gain more information of our villain, Olek Volcheck, head of the Russian mob and all round scary man. The dialogue between the characters is very well written and I love the writing technique of a constant inner monologue from Eddie, creating a suspense as we wait to see what he has decided to do next.

Overall, the pre-release of the chapters has worked, I am definitely sold. The book is released tomorrow (12th of March 2015) and I will definitely be heading to my local bookshop and making my purchase.

(Image property of Amazon UK)