This is the worst book I've ever read. How in the hell this steaming pile ever got by the Puzo family is beyond me. I was going to break it down to reviews of each of the Books within the Novel; however, it's hideousness cuts through each chapter like a ribbon woven into Lucy Mancini's bridesmaid dress.

Where to begin? Here's a shot:

*Fredo's bisexuality is probably the most plausible liberty taken. It is written as a politically incorrect inevitibility to Fredo's Vegas lifestyle of drugs, booze and debauchery. Fredo does suffer the exaggerated pains of his duel lifestyle; however, if you want to watch a depiction of a man suffering alone with the taboo that came with homosexuality in the 1950's, see Dennis Quaid's excellent performance as Frank Whitaker in Far From Heaven

*Nick Geraci is the new character and "foil" to Michael Corleone. He is underdeveloped, shallow and a charactature of a Soprano's capo. His involvement in setting up Fredo's murder is laughably ridiculous. If a capo really had that type of vision, he'd have been a boss by the time of Geraci's attempted murder.

*Michael Corleone is left undeveloped also. Even in the chapter that flashed-back to 1920-1945, nothing was written to define him as the man he became.

*Johnny Fontaine. Enough said

*Sex, sex, sex. It borderlines on literary pornography. Have you ever wondered how many people can have sex in the dog position in a single novel? The answer is too many! The constant, vulgar references to sex took away from the entire storyline.

*This Novel is inconsistant with the Godfather Universe in that it contradicts much of the movies upon which it is admittedly based and ultimately connected. No mention of Frankie 5 Angels, Clemenza's death in a kitchen loaded with his men (thus eliminating the reference to a "hot shot" given him by the Rosatos as Cici suggests to Fredo), Fredo's obsession with a cemetary deal that was never mentioned in the movies; yet, it was supposedly the basis for his murder; Tom Hagan appointed to the US Congress. The inconsistencies go on and on.

In summary, let this one go. Save your money, borrow the book if you MUST read it; but don't say I didn't warn you. Finally, light a candle and whisper a prayer that it will never, ever see the light of day as a movie of anykind. Not even a WE or Lifetime Movie of the week.

F-; two thumbs way down; no stars.

"The Godfather was a man to whom everybody came for help and never were they disappointed. He made no empty promises, nor the craven excuse that his hands were tied by more powerful forces in the world than himself. It was not necessary that he be your friend, it was not even important that you had no means with which to repay him. Only one thing was required. That you, yourself, proclaim your friendship. And then, no matter how poor or powerless the supplicant, the Godfather would take that person's troubles to his heart. He would let nothing stand in the way to a solution of that person's woe. His reward? Friendship, the respectful title 'Don' and sometimes the more affectionate salutation of 'Godfather.' Perhaps, to show respect only, never for profit, some humble gift - a gallon or homemade wine or a basket of fresh baked goods on a holiday. It was understood to proclaim that you were in his debt and that he had the right to call upon you at any time to redeem the debt by some small service." -- Mario Puzo, The Godfather (1969).