Sexual content of the novel

I just re-read the novel, and I forced myself to read every page, rather than breezing through the Jules Segal and Lucy bits. I had not really been aware of the heavy and totally irrelevent and lurid sexual content of the novel.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm not offended by the content, but it just seems so mis-placed in this great novel. Was it just a device to increase sales?

I first read the novel as a 13 year old schoolgirl, and I remember being profoundly shocked by the novel, the first 'adult' book I had read.

How do other women feel about this?

I wish I could answer but I am not a woman.

OK, sorry, how do other people feel about this?

Hey....now I can put in my 2 cents!


I skip over those parts whenever I re-read the book, too. They're totally unnecessary to the storyline, and quite frankly I find them boring as well.

I can only surmise that Puzo included them in the book to give it a better chance of being more commercially successful (many authors of that period included gratuitous sex scenes).

I found them unnecessary but not overly gross. Although I do wonder why Puzo felt he should put it in there. I recently re-read it and it just seems that it was added on latter to make the novel longer. I mena, it's not overly sexual, it's just...medical.

At least not putting it in the movie made it that much better .

Ok I think the sexual content of the book was alright it's not the type of book to get off on if that's what your saying. But to read it at the age of 13 yeah it's gonna be pretty graphic!~

It certainly would.Its bad to the bone.

Mobbing for Money answer this question did you get turned on when you read the sexual content in the novel?

Its funny because I always mention that (Lucy Mancini's issues) to the people I know read the book (apart from my dad). Anyway, I found it a bit disturbing. Its more information than I wanted to know.

[ September 17, 2001: Message edited by: Mal ]

No.Did you?

Your right Mal, but some people don't think so!

Actually it grossed me out.To hear about the surgery and just thinking about the two of them with the problem seemed very disgusting.

In the start of the book there is some sexual content that I don't think a 13 should read. Don't ya agree?

I have NO problems with the sexual contents of the book. It don't bored me, does it turn me on .......... maybe, i can't remember. I've read the novel when i was 17 years old so i guess it turned me on yeah.

Yeah I'm thinking it turn ya on at 17

Mario always said about the Godfather...

"its time to grow up and sell out."

Sex sells, its true. Even on everyday commercials on TV nowadays like hair products, cars etc.

------------------

Those parts of Jules Segal and Lucy Mancini are very irrelevant to the book for me. (Also the Jonny Fontaine bits aswell). But I think there written very well, I used to consider them boring but not anymore, just merely irrelevant. But maybe if they were part of a seperate book it might have worked. Like a spin-off book or something. Silly idea I know, but it could include Fredo aswell all in Las Vegas/Hollywood.

Sure, i'll guess your right Turi, what's the problem.

I've you like it read it, i've you don't like skip it, no problem thus.

Just sharing an idea of mine. No problem with me. Maybe it was another of your translation errors....

Su il vostro, Turi Giuliano

May you will have a translation error on this.

[ September 17, 2001: Message edited by: Don_Michel ]

Okay, settle down now... take it off the board if there's a problem...

JG

I don't understand what you mean Don Michael. You're speaking in another language. I understand English perfectly though. And all I meant is that you have taken my post definately the wrong way about the Lucy Mancini and Dr Jules Segal part. I thought it was a very worthy post. But you seemed to think I didn't like the topic. I don't know where you have got that idea.

[ September 17, 2001: Message edited by: Turi Giuliano ]

[ September 17, 2001: Message edited by: Constanzia ]

I didn't mind the Dr Jules or the Johnny part. I was interested to find out a bit more about Lucy, but maybe not that much, don't get me wrong it wasn't lewd (in my opinion) but I think there was maybe going to be a story line at the end of it or something and Puzo just didn't get round to it or he didn't like what he was wanting, I was expeceting to find her pregnant (probably because I watch the films before I even thought about reading the book.

I was interested in the Johnny part more thought because it put a better emphasis on the relationships and after all he was family.

But back to the original point, the sex which went on throught out the book, didn't really have a point, unless it was just meant to reflect on people and relationships and possible lighten up the novel and take it away from being quite so dark...

Chi sa, potrei straighted-essere merlettato appena circa il sesso?



[ September 17, 2001: Message edited by: Constanzia ]

Ok Turi, no hard feelings from my site, just got a little pissed off about that translation thing, sorry.

By the way, "Su il vostro ", means "up yours".

Thanks Don Michel and Turi for clearing that up. Join me in a drink!

Geez, I could go broke buying Turi drinks

No problem SC, i'm here for fun, not to argu.

By the way my English will become better, hopefully not to much translation errors in the future

Just give it some time, i'll do my best

Who cares about sexual content?

Mothers who think if their children watch a sexual movie or anything like that will become a murderer...or a porn star.

Good point, i'll think that Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell are against either.

Your English is very, very good. It was just a slight interpretation made. Which anyone can make. Its sometimes hard what people mean when you don't have their body language to react to. Thats where these little graemlins help and come in handy.....


I added the on my earlier post just to show a little light hearted humour. Obviously it was interpreted wrong and i;m sorry about that.

We've always been on good terms Don Michel and hopefully always will. So lets go have a beer. Everyone join us....Oh and SC.......


I'm buying

Even the Don can interprate us wrongly

Ok Turi my friend, let's shake hands and Foggedaboutit

Woooo hoooo, Turi's buying!!

I'm thirteen right now.

NO I'M NOT KIDDING.

Godfather rocks!

Well how old are you.

I thought I just told you.

No you didnt.

Oh I thought you said you were kidding.,My apologies.

LOLfather. Ok.

Hmm,................that explanes much


Just kidding

Yeah pretty random, eh?

Wow your only 13!!!!!!

You'll end up being a drunk with mine, Geoff's, Sc's, Sonny's and Joey's drinking habits.

Whoa. You all drink?

Ackfather. Do you all know eachother--and see each other?

Heyyyyy......I resemble *hiccup* thaaaat remark!

We only know each other(not only just the people I mentioned) from being on this board and the old board before this one was established. I think we have fairly good ideas of who we each are and have become like family. The people I mentioned are the ones who are the big drinkers. I mean look at SC now. He's already drunk. (I'm on the way)

I honestly am against censorship, but I think maybe that book is a bit much for a 13 year old to read. I think I'll drop the book on any children I may have in the future around the age of 14 or 15. But who knows...kids grow up quickly these days.

Your a wiseman.You know what your doing in life.

Don't forget Tony sittin over here in the corner guzzling his Bud Light.

Who's Tony?

Tony Soprano.

Aahhhh, its like it all makes sense now. Not just this but life in general.

Oh really? One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest included stuff about whores and sluts.

Nietzsche, Dostoevsky, Sartre, and other Nihilists had stuff about cruel stuff--take Sartre's NO EXIT for example...

I've read them all voluntarily...and I am to reread them all when I'm 15...

I've seen the goriest movies--Starship Troopers, the most violent movies--Platoon, the most profane movies--Scarface, the most sexual movies--American Pie, the movie with most adult situations--Midnight Cowboy, the movie with most nudity--American Beauty.

Anyone wanna challenge that?

Yep,when I was 4 I saw ten porno movies.


[ October 07, 2001: Message edited by: MobbingForMoney ]

You were never 4. You're an embryo...

You crazy guy. Do you sometimes not wash your hands after going to the toilet too because that would be just too mental.

Damn you found out my other planned lie!!!

Man, I haven't even read the Cliffs Notes for these

JG

Well maybe its just me but I didnt think American Beauty really had that much nudity. Definitely not the movie with the "most nudity."

Yeah, me...the wiseguy. My name is Tony.

You think you're better than me?

I also found the Jules-and-Lucy stuff gratuitous and uninteresting. I think Puzo included it because he wanted a way to lead up to describing Lucy's operation. Puzo had a disturbing tendency to belabor erudition he picked up (attest the endless ins and outs of the movie business in "Last Don"). Maybe he read a description of that operation somewhere (or had a wife or girlfriend who had the operation), and felt the need to let all of us know what he knew.
The Lucy/Jules relationship was near-superfluous. On the other hand, it did provide a way to show that the family took care of Lucy even though she was just a goomad. And it gave Michael an opportunity to get off one of his best Don-like lines about loyalty when Jules balks over getting more involved with Michael ("That was a stupid thing to say. You should know that I'd never ask you to do anything you couldn't do. But so what if I did? When you were down, did anyone else lift a finger to help you?", or something like that).

I think Puzo had a big fall out with is wife, right? And she went screaming, AAAH! You just don't understand me or women! And he was tryin to make it up to her! I dunno, it's a very guy thing to do, the way it's written, I think it's and outside joke of some sort or I agree with Constanzia, it was probably written and Puzo didn't like it or his contract for writing the book was running out and he had to leave it, it wasn't the best part of the book.

You're a 13 year old Underboss, holy shit? This whole book, and the drinking theme between Guiliano and SC is innapropriate.

I'm only 16, but that doesn't matter does it? I've seen American Pie, and Scarface, and Goodfellas, and all that too. I'M Writing a GF4 sript, BEAT THAT!

I think the book had a large amount o fsexual content but i think puzo did a good job describing the scenes ie: "Sonny caressed her vulva"

This post was started about 5 months ago, does it matter?

It's a very worthy post what JaneM mentioned I put my own opinion into it and someone misunderstood what I meant which was of no fault to him. We made up and drinking is a good way to make up. Unless you've drank about 50 pints worth in the last 5 days and lived off random burger vans and McDonalds.

Anyway, chill out Ricardo and have a beer with us....

"The Godfather" by Mario Puzo is innapropriate??

i wouldnt say its innapropriate at all, mario puzo just including the sex scenes so he can gain some more buys

If the movie was CUT to be rated R, what would the book be rated, PG-13, i don't think so. Sorry for bringing up an old topic, but for ME it's new, i came here fist time during Christmas!

I can't have beer, i'll But thanks for the offer

I just realized AFTER pasting that this was a cheerleader with pom poms, and not amexican smiley with a Sombrero and sparklers, I'm Spanish.

im not even gunna lie...i got a boner reading the sonny/lucy stuff and showed it to all my friends....but hey im only 15 i guess im just a immature kid

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by DoN KraYziE:
<strong>im not even gunna lie...i got a boner reading the sonny/lucy stuff and showed it to all my friends....but hey im only 15

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ricardo:
[QB]If the movie was CUT to be rated R, what would the book be rated, PG-13, i don't think so. Sorry for bringing up an old topic, but for ME it's new, i came here fist time during Christmas!

No need to be sorry for bringing up an old topic. It's good to see that happening. But the drinking thing was ages ago and i'd hope it wouldn't bother anyone.

As for drinking anyway. Thats totally your choice i'd never pressure anyone to drink.

funny, i read the book at 12 and it was also my first "adult" book. the stuff between sonny and lucy (page 28 in my book) was certainly an eye-opener and unfortunately since my parents weren't telling me anything i thought that was the way it always went!

the stuff between Jules and Lucy didn't shock me even then, just bored me.

my parents didn't know i read it then.

I'm 16, that's what i don't drink (b) Was Puzo racist? In the ealry gf2 script, there's much more references to the N word. Pentangelli, Roth, Clemenza, and others.

unfortunately that was the language of the times.

Ok, at least they cut out most of them by the final drafts. Why only black peopleas nurses, even in Godfather 3 there should been Blacks somewhere. Maybe ablack lawyer or a black cop, anything, they lived in New York in the 70's!

Age has nothing to do with drinking. Russian kids have been known to drink vodka regularly from the age of 11. But again i'm not pressuring you. Don't give into peer pressure kid.

Puzo isn't racist. Saladbar is right about the langauge of the times. I think he wanted to show his characters being slightly racist. It's quite known the Italians and coloureds weren't the best of freinds during those days.

Ok, thanks, Turi how did you feel about Turi Giuliano in The Sicilian movie? I knew there was hatred between colored and italains, there always has been. I just read in the book, about how Neri caved the pimp's skull in, powerful writing by Puzo!

The movie is crap (The Sicilian). I mean Lambert didn't do a bad job but the whole script was terrible. John Turrturo played a very good Pisciotta though. I think i've said all this in the "Other Puzo books" board.

Ok, why isn't Michael Corleone in the movie?

What do I really feel? Well, being fourteen gives me a half-child half-adult perception in both the novel and the movie. Actually, I've seen the whole trilogy about two to three times, for my cousin has the DVD's. Actually, the reason why I even bothered to watch the movie is that because of the Rugrats In Paris movie by the Rugrats!!! The movie(The Rugrats) started out great and I thought that it would be interesting if I watched the movie (The Godfather). I did, and I felt that I just had to start from the beginning after I watched it because of the emotions and the passion developing in our watcher's minds.
Well, to tell you the truth, it was overwhelming when I read the novel because Mario Puzo clearly had that same passion that Francis Ford Coppola felt when he directed the movie. Did you also know that Francis Ford Coppola tore ou each page of the novel, pasted it in a "border-wrap" fashion, and took notes before he started directing the movie. He knew where the scenes had to stop and start, and that's why the movie was so different from the novel. It was viewed by two different people with the same ideas, and the movie is comprised because of these people who really wanted to express the feelings and the theme of the book, with the reality that binds around it.

Best Movie Ever-

Welcome, BestMovieEver! Jeez, quite a lot of insight for a fourteen year-old! It sure shames this 40 year-old college grad!
Anyways, back to the sex thing: I s'pose writers feel sex should be a part of their novels for a variety of reaons: (1) Let's face it, sex SELLS; (2) it's a part of most normal people's lives; and (3) it can sometimes alter the outcome of relationships developed in the book. But I'm really glad FFC left it out of the movies (except, of course, for Appollonia's nipple-less scene!). The movie was classier and better without it. The book? I don't think it really added to nor took from the guts of the novel. But whad do I know?

I'll take good sex over almost anything else!

Hmm, you got the idea to watch Godfather from the movie Rugrats in Paris? EXPLAIN please! That's the most amazing thig i've ever heard. i never heard that Coppola stroy, sounds about right tho. the first two movies there opinions blended together great. But its evident in the GF3 that they were conflicting each other's ideas alot. Not enough attention was for detail. Nameles Dons killed, well if they;re nameless they'e obviously NOT important!

I loved the sexual parts, they turned me on, a lot, and Im only 11