Godfather

The Godfather is Mario Puzo's novel about the Mafia in America, in the mid 20th century. It became famous when Ford Coppola made it into a wonderful film which did well in the 1970s. The film covered the life of the Corleone family, from 1945, when the Don's daughter Connie married, and we see the Don in his role as mafia boss, punishing his enemies, and doing favours for his friends. He has 3 sons, Sonny who is hot tempered, Fredo, who is nervous and shy, and not doing well in the family business and Michael, who walked out on his family, when war broke out and chose to join the army. The don had hoped that his youngest son would shake off the stigma of being a mobster and go into some profession or legitimate business, but he did not want Michael risking his life in the war. Michael returns for the wedding with his American girlfriend Kay Adams, from New England. She is very different from the women of the Corleone family who are devoutly Catholic and who lived to keep house and raise children. She is a teacher, and is sleeping with Michael though they are not yet married. He tells her that his family are very different to him. She feels out of place at the wedding, though she isnt fully aware of the criminal nature of the family, but she is impressed when Johnny Fontaine a famous singer and actor, turns up, as he is one of the Don's godsons and has also come to ask a favour of him. Michael tells Kay that he has nothing to do with the family business and that he wants to become a college professor and lead a quiet life. However, things are about to change. Sonny wants his father to go into the drugs business and the Don dislikes the idea and does not want to use his political influence to set the Family up importing cocaine. This leads to tension within the family and disputes with other Italian mafia families, and the Don is shot. This infuriates Michael, in spite of his distancing himself from his father.. He loves him and decides that he must be the one to take revenge.. so he agrees to shoot a mobster and his tame policeman.