I'm a HS ENglish teacher in TX and have a student that wrote a "creative" supposedly original story using nine different Mario Puzo books as his sources. Unfortunately, I haven't read any of them, but I sincerely suspect that this student is plagiarizing from Mr. Puzo. His story involves a "hit" of a Governor and it takes place during a party at the Governor's home - can anyone direct me to the particular book that this scene might come from? I know this isn't your typical post, but I need help desperately!.

Amazing!!
Well, theres the obvious link to Godfather part 2, there is the attempted assasination of Don Corleone (a high-power figure) in his own home, after his son's confirmation party.
Do you suspect that this kid is stealing his storyline or the direct dialouge he's using?

I suspect that he's stolen the storyline, if not Puzo's exact words. Basically, the story opens with an overview of a fancy party, for intance (these are the student's words) "The mansion was not unlike a tropical palace, with palm trees adorning the walkways...the fortress was like an island, a joyous swirl.." and continues as the hitman "Angelo" stalks a Governor McFarlane (who supposedly has massive mafia debt)to his third story office. Before Angelo hits the governor, he has to knock off the governor's protection, a "waiter" - does any of this sound familiar to anyone? Again, my thanks!

Doesn't seem familliar, though i've only read two Puzo books (The Last Don and The Godfather)
My suggestion would be post this topic in either 'General Discussion' (which is the most popular section of this site), or 'Other puzo books'. Or maybe type a paragraph of the kids story into a search engine and see if it comes up with any relevant results.
Sorry i couldn't help!!
Don Luciano

Thanks for the suggestion - I posted it under General Discussion as well - I've tried typing various suspect lines into Alta Vista to no avail - he could've changed just slight words and it wouldn't match - so that's why I'm trying to find a match on the storyline/situation. I appreciate your concern and help!

txengteacher, I once wrote a Halloween poem in the fourth grade that was absolutely my OWN. Didn't steal it from anybody (at least not consciously).

I was accused of plagarizing it. I was nine effing years old. Didn't even know what that MEANT. But I knew it wasn't a compliment.

Maybe your student made a sincere effort to be creative, within the context of his sources. At least CONSIDER that possibility, would you?

Ladies and gents: Don't get me wrong - if this student actually wrote this paper, he's the next Mario Puzo I guarantee you - he won't have to pass go (college), he can go straight to the bank; it's just that he's not shown that kind of promise thus far...who knows, maybe he just hadn't found his niche yet - Too, without being familiar with Puzo as most of you are, I am faced with an ENORMOUS Spring Break reading project! Personally, I'd rather sun...

try Dog Pile Type in some of the words and see if it comes back.

I don't recognize any of the names or the words written out of a Mario Puzo book. I wonder and you have a right to be suspicious of the student, as it's very good.

What an amazing thread!
Post the whole piece up, I wanna read it!

Sounds like Woltz's house in GF coupled with the (attempted) hit on Roth in GFII. The "waiter" could be Roth's "Sicilian messenger boy" Johnny Ola. The party = New Year's Eve party in Havana, 3rd storey office = Hospital. However in your student's defence GFII is not a Mario Puzo novel, he just co-wrote the screenplay.