Mafia novel by numbers (Omerta - Mario Puzo)

Member Name: alocin

Product:	Omerta - Mario Puzo
Date:	29/04/03 (227 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: OK book, If you like the mafia it's interesting

Disadvantages: Unfinished quality, Some areas skimmed over, Not Puzo's best

Having really enjoyed The Godfather and The Last Don, both by Puzo, when I spotted this in the library I thought that it would be a good read. Alas it is nowhere near the standard of the man who brought the Corleone family to life. Another review mentioned that this was an unfinished manuscript found when Puzo died, if so then someone really mangled it bringing it to publication.

It really is a mafia novel by numbers - in places it seems more like an imitation of Puzo's style by an inferior writer. The characters are typically colourful - the old Don Aprile, the hitmen Sturzo brothers, the nephew Astorre. These were fleshed out well and had depth, but some characters seemed skimmed over - sterotypes from previous books renamed. I can't even remember most of their names, that is how much of an impression they made on me while I was reading this!

One sentence plot - no major spoilers as you guess what is going to happen early on: Old Don is killed, seemingly flaky singing adopted nephew takes over, really he is a throwback Mafia Don, doles out justice to those responsible for adopted father's death, lives happily ever after in Sicily. Along the way there is police corruption, some treachery, bribes and pay-offs, lots of people die with messy descriptions eg. brain matter splatters everywhere.

If you like Puzo's work then this will be a disapointment. If you have a vague interest in the mafia then it should have enough to keep you reading. Having read other Puzo books I just felt that I knew what was coming. It is an OK book, it will keep you occupied for a couple of hours but don't expect it to be up there with the Godfather.

Summary: