I've got to say your polite posts have been quite refreshing and you entitled to your own opinion. Thats perfectly cool with me. Heres mine.

The Godfather novel at the time it was written was one of the fastest selling books ever and a huge hit, a best seller even before the film was even thought of. Now on, (I think it was written maybe '64 or '66) over 30 years on it is still being read and enjoyed by people all over the world. I think it is safe to say it's a classic.

I love the book. To me I prefer most books to films anyway and this is a classic. The book without the film stands tall. But when there together they both add to each other's interest.