I was bustin' more than anything, of course. Tho reading a negative review does tend to not show the more positive aspects about something, whether it's a book or a movie. Such details are pretty trivial to the overall story, IMHO. But alas, I should wait until *I* finish it before passing jugement myself. I will see where the "Fredo issue" goes before I dismiss it entirely; I really don't think Winegardner was being irresponsible, I'm sure it could be interesting how it plays out. I simply said "so far, so good"

Hi guys. I agree that reading closely is a good idea.

The Vegas passage we were discussing from Mario Puzo's novel is told from Hagen's point of view and it contains two powerful qualifiers: "perhaps" and "part of the reason."

"Hagen saw that this had taken Michael by surprise. They looked at each other. This was perhaps the real reason the Don was displeased with Freddie. . . " and "That too would be part of the reason for being in his father's bad books."

(Page 392 in my old paperback version.)

This is Hagen's perspective. We never truly find out directly from Vito Corleone why he is displeased with Freddie. Mr. Winegardner, it seems, is working within the wriggle room provided by Mario Puzo.

Certainly this novel won't please everyone--no novel does--but it would be a real shame if superficial reviews like the one in Newsweek turn readers off before they've had a chance to check out the novel and decide for themselves.

Again I havent read the new book, so please ignore my comments :p (please dont) but in the orginal book, and I quote "Freddie was always a pretty tough guy"(97) When? "...And Freddie used to beat the shit out of you[Michael] at least one a week!" (133) Personally, I dont see that happening,ever.In the original book and the movie Fredo has two pretty diffrent descriptions.

How did you get an advance copy?

How did you get an advance copy? [/b][/quote]I know a guy who knows a guy.

I'm jealous

From Barnes and Noble:

The Godfather Returns

SYNOPSIS
THE MISSING YEARS FROM THE GREATEST CRIME SAGA OF ALL TIME

Thirty-five years ago, Mario Puzo’s great American tale, The Godfather, was published, and popular culture was indelibly changed. Now, in The Godfather Returns, acclaimed novelist Mark Winegardner continues the story–the years not covered in Puzo’s bestselling book or in Francis Ford Coppola’s classic films.

It is 1955. Michael Corleone has won a bloody victory in the war among New York’s crime families. Now he wants to consolidate his power, save his marriage, and take his family into legitimate businesses. To do so, he must confront his most dangerous adversary yet, Nick Geraci, a former boxer who worked his way through law school as a Corleone street enforcer, and who is every bit as deadly and cunning as Michael. Their personal cold war will run from 1955 to 1962, exerting immense influence on the lives of America’s most powerful criminals and their loved ones, including

Tom Hagen, the Corleone Family’s lawyer and consigliere, who embarks on a political career in Nevada while trying to protect his brother;

Francesca Corleone, daughter of Michael’s late brother Sonny, who is suddenly learning her family’s true history and faces a difficult choice;

Don Louie Russo, head of the Chicago mob, who plays dumb but has wily ambitions for muscling in on the Corleones’ territory;

Peter Clemenza, the stalwart Corleone underboss, who knows more Family secrets than almost anyone;

Ambassador M. Corbett Shea, a former Prohibition-era bootlegger and business ally of the Corleones’, who wants to get his sonelected to the presidency–and needs some help from his old friends;

Johnny Fontane, the world’s greatest saloon singer, who ascends to new heights as a recording artist, cozying up to Washington’s power elite and maintaining a precarious relationship with notorious underworld figures;

Kay Adams Corleone, who finally discovers the truth about her husband, Michael–and must decide what it means for their marriage and their children and

Fredo Corleone, whose death has never been fully explained until now, and whose betrayal of the Family was part of a larger and more sinister chain of events.

Sweeping from New York and Washington to Las Vegas and Cuba, The Godfather Returns is the spellbinding story of America’s criminal underworld at mid-century and its intersection with the political, legal, and entertainment empires. Mark Winegardner brings an original voice and vision to Mario Puzo’s mythic characters while creating several equally unforgettable characters of his own. The Godfather Returns stands on its own as a triumph–in a tale about what we love, yearn for, and sometimes have reason to fear . . . family.

I personally think your crazy saying that, but whatever,right? I agree with whoever said they were discusted that this "condition" caused his weakness. :rolleyes: It was quite possibly the most unexpected turn, but the most cliqued in this modern day world. But Aside from Freddie, almost all the old characters are highly unlike any characterization that previously existed of them.

BTW- The contact on that site of yours, does it actually allow my to contact Winegardener?