Mario Puzo

The Godfather follows the powerful Corleone family, one of the most influential Mafia families in America. At the center is Don Vito Corleone, a respected and feared mafia boss who rules through loyalty, power, and strict codes of honor. When he is attacked in an assassination attempt, his son Michael Corleone—initially distant from the family business—is pulled into the violent world of organized crime. As Michael takes control, he becomes more ruthless and strategic, transforming the family’s power and legacy. The novel explores themes of power, loyalty, family, corruption, and the moral cost of ambition.