- Paperback: 432 pages
- Publisher: Arrow Books Ltd; First Edition edition (3 May 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0099296802
- ISBN-13: 978-0099296805
- Product Dimensions: 17 x 11 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 257,942 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Mario Puzo, author of eight novels, will eternally be known for one book: The Godfather. It's true that this is no mean legacy but it should be remembered that Puzo's output has included some considerable novels, notably The Sicilian and The Last Don. His new book, Omertà is unquestionably the finest of his latter-day work, a sweeping, violent epic with brilliantly precise characterisations.
Omertàis the Sicilian code of silence, the essential element by which the Mafia has maintained its power over the centuries. Puzo is interested in the way in which changing times have forced organised crime to adapt, however painful the process. The code is tested when a mob boss, Don Aprile, is brutally murdered in New York. Both Astorre, Aprile's nephew, and Cilke, the New York FBI chief, launch investigations into the killing. It soon becomes clear to both men that a grim conspiracy has spread its tentacles across rival gangs, corrupt bankers and even the courts. Much blood must be spilled before the killers are found--there are many (on both sides of the law) who will do their best to stop this happening.
Puzo's favourite theme--the interchangeability of big business and organised crime--is handled with his customary panache. However much we may disapprove of the horrifically violent Mafiosi, we remain riveted by their implacable cold-bloodedness. Astorre has all the complexity of Michael Corleone (even if we've been here before) but Cilke is a new departure for the author--a lawman who is quite as powerfully characterised as Puzo's criminal protagonists.
It goes without saying that the grisly set-pieces are handled with the usual élan:
The car sped up and stopped as the Don reached the last step. Stace jumped out of the back seat--in one quick move he rested his gun on the roof. He shot two-handed. He only shot twice. The first bullet hit the Don square in the forehead. The second bullet tore out his throat. His blood spurted all over the sidewalk, showering yellow sunlight with pink drops.--Barry Forshaw --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
A New York mob boss is assassinated but no one will speak to the police. His nephew and the FBI both launch investigations into the murder. However, the world of the Mafia is one without integrity and is riven by greed. At the end of the 20th century the Mafia code of omert [silence] is becoming a relic from a bygone age. Honour may be silent - but money talks.The late Mario 'The Godfather' Puzo's final compelling Mafia novel.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The one thing this novel has going for it is that it is a fairly effortless read likely to keep you turning the pages, though maybe not compulsively. In other words "Omerta" would be undemanding company for a long journey, or perhaps a stay with relatives you don't much like, but otherwise there is little to recommend it.
The basic idea is intriguing enough: the adopted son of a true, old school Sicilian Don (who has retired from crime) is raised secretly in the old Mafia ways so as to be one day capable of defending the family. The twist here is that the Don's three grownup biological kids, although quite capable and successful in their respective chosen careers, are respectable upright citizens almost entirely ignorant of their dad's "business". Could've been a great story, but sadly plot and characters are shallow and unconvincing, and inter-relationships between the main players are especially weakly drawn.
If you're unfamiliar with Puzo's work, I suggest you read "The Godfather" first, perhaps followed by "The Last Don". If you've already read those then ther's no earthly need to bother with "Omerta", it's a disappointing last bow from a great storyteller.
The basic idea is intriguing enough: the adopted son of a true, old school Sicilian Don (who has retired from crime) is raised secretly in the old Mafia ways so as to be one day capable of defending the family. The twist here is that the Don's three grownup biological kids, although quite capable and successful in their respective chosen careers, are respectable upright citizens almost entirely ignorant of their dad's "business". Could've been a great story, but sadly plot and characters are shallow and unconvincing, and inter-relationships between the main players are especially weakly drawn.
If you're unfamiliar with Puzo's work, I suggest you read "The Godfather" first, perhaps followed by "The Last Don". If you've already read those then ther's no earthly need to bother with "Omerta", it's a disappointing last bow from a great storyteller.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
On its own, this book would rate as good enough as far as it goes, but nothing special. It certainly isn't in the same league as The Godfather, but not a lot is.
This is vivid, there's plenty of scheming and killing and there's certainly lots of intrigue going on, but it's nothing special.
This is vivid, there's plenty of scheming and killing and there's certainly lots of intrigue going on, but it's nothing special.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I picked up Omerta while waiting for a delayed flight, not sure what to expect. The back cover is full of praise, but it's for the previous book (!).
This one tells a simple story about a Mafia heir who has been trained to look after the family and assets of a 'Don' after his death. There are interesting, if shallow, characters in abundance and the story is gripping enough to keep reading into the small hours.
The pace is fairly steady and the narrative very linear: you know who the culprits are fairly early on (so that's out of the way) and interest centres on how revenge will be exacted, rather than against whom. If it were a film script it would be described as: "good story but lousy editing". The reason for this is that Mr Puzzo may not have finished the book himself: the copyright is 2000, but he died in 1999.
Overall, this is not a great book. It does not have the epic qualities of the Godfather and certainly does not feel like part of a trilogy. Good for the beach this summer, but that's about it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not that great
This book is certainly not in the same league as The Godfather or The Sicilian (the other two Mario Puzo books I've read). Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr Gordon Davidson
awful
After reading the first six chapters of this book I was convinced it was a spoof of a stereotypical mafia novel. Read more
Published 23 months ago by H. Rogers
Omerta explained!!
I was first introduced to the works of Mario Puzo with his last unfinished piece called the family. I was so taken by the book, that I could not put it down. Read more
Published on 10 Oct 2009 by Matts Cotty
Did not leave a lasting impression
I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book - it was an easy, enjoyable read but being a huge Puzo fan Omerta was no way as great as not only The Godfather but also novel I... Read more
Published on 7 Feb 2006 by George Annessa
Vendetta!
This novel of a current-day criminal family, the Apriles, spans the range between the old Sicilian model and the modern world of big money from high finance. Read more
Published on 12 Sep 2004 by Donald Mitchell
Vendetta!
This novel of a current-day criminal family, the Apriles, spans the range between the old Sicilian model and the modern world of big money from high finance. Read more
Published on 20 May 2004 by Donald Mitchell
Vendetta!
This novel of a current-day criminal family, the Apriles, spans the range between the old Sicilian model and the modern world of big money from high finance. Read more
Published on 20 May 2004 by Donald Mitchell
Fantastic
Mario Puzo is a genius. From the first sentence i found that i couldnt stop reading. I kept turning pages eager to find out what will happen next. Read more
Published on 1 Jan 2004 by "chris_theo"
A class effort that firmly establishes Puzo as the true Don
Upon reading this book i like any other Godfather fan had some severe reservations, how could Puzo even come close to his original masterpiece? Read more
Published on 4 Mar 2002 by pjkimber@yahoo.com
Astonishing
Please forgive me, for I know the company I am in is knowledgeable & refined. But I have not read any other books by Mario Puzo - I only recently saw the Godfather movies on... Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2002
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