I have a hot take. I don't think Puzo's version of The Godfather was great, either. Francis Ford Coppola had to clean out about 3/4 of the book in order write a good movie adaptation. I've tried re-reading the Godfather, several times, out of loyalty to the cause. Just to see if I missed something, if for no other reason. And I can't get through a second reading. There are entire chapters about Johnny Fontane and irrelevant showbiz stuff, which to me only reveals Puzo's bitter little hard-on for Sinatra. Francis Coppola and a bevy of brilliant 1970's actors made The Godfather what it is.