Everyone has a good idea who Mario Puzo is. Mention The Godfather trilogy and you know him. He was a prolific author of the mafioso way of life, codes of Omerta, murder, betrayal, and loyalty. It wasn't until he wrote the original Godfather novel that he became a household name. But before that, he actually had written three other novels.
The first two, The Dark Arena and The Fortunate Pilgrim were considered classics by critics but didn't sell well. Then in 1967 writing under the name Mario Cleri, Puzo wrote Six Graves to Munich, a Post WWII revenge novel. It was lost for several years, until a Polish publishing company recovered it and reprinted it.
Now, this book is far from Godfather, or even The Family, which I actually think was his best novel. It is the realm of a John Grisham novel; a quick breeze read, straight to the point. Yet, many of Puzo's traits are there. The introspective third person perspective of wronged American Michael Rogan. The underlying mob culture he has infiltrate in order to kill one of his targets. The little details that Puzo loves to sprinkle through his works; like the bit about how a small village imports prostitutes for its festivals to take the virginity of the local young boys so they will not go after the village girls. All of this is trademark of the legend that is Mario Puzo.
Like I said it is clear this book is a beginner novel, just as Puzo was coming into his craft. But there is no denying the underlying workmanship that goes into this writing, as any of his books. The fact the book was released at all, is a welcome surprise. It is an equivalent of a old pal coming over to share one more story.
Until next time, fly high and fly well.
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