Here's where I think you're wrong. If the book didn't have The Godfather name attached to it, it would have never made the top 20 on the bestseller list. It would have been released and fallen into obscurity like so many other books have -- and deservedly so. This book is crap. Even if it was a sequel to the Bible, this book is crap. The writing is too confusing and the characters are uninteresting.

And I agree with you about the Godfather. I recently read The Fortunate Pilgrim and the forward gave me the impression that Puzo was hurt that the book wasn't a success. It was straight from the heart, but it registered little return until it was re-released after his mafia tales were successes.

Check out the forward to Pilgrim. It's an interesting read.