There's a thread over on the movie side about what Fredo really thinks about himself, deep inside. I think there are some characters in the book who actually have specific mental conditions:

1) Vito may have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Having his father murdered, and then literally being hunted as a child turned him into a young adult who was wary around everyone, showing little of his ability so as not to attract attention. He only wanted to sail through life in peace.* Don Fanucci's intervention into Vito's safe little world brings back to the surface the emotion of Vito's childhood, so that Fanucci never expects such an extreme reaction.

2) I'm not sure what the clinical term is, but Luca Brasi suffers from exceptionally low self-esteem. He's surprised to be invited to the wedding and it seems that he does not believe himself worthy of fatherhood. It's Vito's insight that Luca is essentially suicidal.

Are there others who fit into specific categories of mental disorders? One who intrigues me is Gino -- does he have a mental illness, alcohol poisoning, or does he have the symptoms of a specific STD (the sort of thing that Puzo would throw in there).

*Note similarities to the William Wallace character in "Braveheart."

I think Luca was a sociopath. He's pretty much described as one in the part of the book where he's waiting to give his gift to the Don.

And anyone who could kill the mother of his child and the baby child has got to be somewhat disturbed.

Are you referring to Nino?
I think he just has depression. I don't think he ever got over not being as talented as Fontane and didn't have anything he cared about as much as Fontane did. The depression led to the over indulgences in food, drink etc as he was trying to find something he cared about.

Whoops, Nino! There goes another brain cell....

So interesting. I like it personally and hope you'll bring us more amazing stuffs.

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