Mario Puzo's "The Godfather"

and i've finished it in less than a week with exams in between. it's a difficult book to put down, admittedly because it's action-packed and i couldn't help but be curious as to all the hype this book received back in the day.

i could say i was satisfied at Mario Puzo's storytelling but the book whetted my appetite for books and i'm left wanting for more. erm, which couldn't and shouldn't be since i've promised myself, no more than pages of leisure reading everyday since we still have two more exams to go (wohoo!!).

one of the lines in the book struck me as amusing because of its accuracy (and it has something to do with the legal profession) - "A lawyer with his briefcase can steal more than a hundred men with guns." knowing the context in which this line was said (i.e., the Godfather speaking as a mafioso), i don't take offense. after all, the Godfather in the book gained his infamy through ruling the underworld by fronting it with legitimate business (olive oil importation) which he did with the assistance of lawyers.

the book presented the notion that "reason" is the best tool in dealing with the enemy, but it is not pure reason per se. it must be coupled with enough subtleties as would make an enemy willingly walk into the trap. but when reason doesn't work, there are other ways - such as executions so as to purge the ties of bad blood. it makes one shudder in awe on the hand and in terror on the other.

all told, i was immensely entertained :) until the next leisure reading time.