With the novel and first two films being damn near perfect, and Part III being a worthy conclusion, perhaps we've set our sights a little too high. I'm about 200 pages into the book, and while it is tedious at times, and head scratch inducing (ie, confusing), I think the book is going pretty well and has picked up its pace where I currently am.

As for Winegardner, perhaps he wasn't the best choice for the book. But you have to admire his changes or expansion of the GF universe. If he was going to simply recycle the same stuff we've seen before, and add nothing new to the universe, then as an author, it wouldn't even be worth writing. While he still manages to recycle some stuff, I think he does a good job bringing new ideas in.

We're always going to be spoiled by the original book and movies. We're always going to expect anything with the GF name on it to be the next masterpiece. Could the book be better? Sure... but at the same time, we have to remembre that it's entertainment, and we're supposed to have fun with it.

My saying is, anything to get me back into the Godfather state of mind is a good thing.

I could have accepted the weak storyline, if he hadn't made most of the characters doing things 'out of character'. There are too many examples of outrageous behavior from people, that would just never happen in GF I And II.

Exactally. His weak confusing storylines could have possibly been overlooked if he wouldnt have changes the charaters into alien life forms. Not only Freedo, but Mike, Kay, Clemenza and tom, not to mention countless others took on strange and foreign personalities.

Even Kay?
In what way?
Don Sonny, don't be ruthless, post some spoiler!

But then, hasn't the author set his sights too high in thinking he can write a worthy, acceptable and successful expansion on a franchise for which expansion is entirely unnecessary?

But don't the original films get you in a good enough mood anyway? If the book is far from perfect (and indeed even you as a supporter claim it has its faults), then why would it be worth reading? If it is no way near the standard of the first two (or three, even) films or Puzo's original novel, then why read it? To entertain? Well, if you want to be entertained, you need not look any further than the original films themselves.

I guess at the end of the day, it all depends on whether you think an already as-close-to-perfection-as-possible film franchise needs an inferior addition. I for one do NOT.

Mick

DBC - I respect your views, but please do not shed any tears for this guy. The novel and the movie series have become a part of 'Americana' (no offense meant to our non-American board members)and actually belongs to world culture. He knew the risks. It is fair to say that we know the stories better than he and none of us would dare take the liberties that he has taken (i.e., Fredo 'The Fabulous' Corleone - gives a new meaaning to a the phrases 'a made member' and 'underboss' - ).

A task of this kind has a binary outcome - either it will be magnificent or it will fail. Sure, I applaude his courage and the right to share his voice with the world. But bottom line - nobody asked him to change what was already embraced.

If you see venom spewing from our key boards, it is only because we 'love' the Godfather. No one means Winegardner any ill will - we are simply saying that he violated the Hippocratic Oath - Do No Harm.

SPOILER WARNING SPOILER WARNING SPOILER WARNING [After joking between themselves about the woods, things being made of of wood, some shit like that]
" Soon Michael and Kay began making out in the dark[of the movie threater] like kids..."Behold," Kay whispered, grabbing his cock. "Wood.""(51) :rolleyes: