Zasa - I'm only 1/4 of the way thru it due to current work constraints, but so far I can only answer one of those questions for sure: Yes, Johnny Fontane has a storyline in the book.
I studied Italian for 2 semesters. Not once was a "C" pronounced as a "G", and never was a trailing "I" ignored! And I'm from Jersey! lol
Whaddaya want me to do? Whack a guy? Off a guy? Whack off a guy?--Peter Griffin