The Godfather (novel)

The Godfather

First edition cover
Author	Mario Puzo
Cover artist	S. Neil Fujita
Language	English
Series	The Godfather
Genre	Crime novel
Publisher	G. P. Putnam's Sons
Publication date	March 10, 1969
Publication place	United States
Dewey Decimal	813.54
Followed by	The Sicilian

The Godfather is a crime novel by American author Mario Puzo. Originally published on 10 March 1969 by G. P. Putnam's Sons, the novel details the story of a fictional Mafia family in New York City and Long Island, headed by Vito Corleone: the Godfather. The novel covers the years 1945 to 1955 and includes the backstory of Vito Corleone from early childhood to adulthood.

The first in a series of novels, The Godfather is noteworthy for introducing Italian words like consigliere, caporegime, Cosa Nostra, and omertà to an English-speaking audience. It inspired a 1972 film of the same name. Two film sequels, including new contributions by Puzo himself, were made in 1974 and 1990.

Summary

The Corleone family is one of the Five Families of the New York Mafia. After World War II, the families avoid open warfare in favour of mutual cooperation. The peace is broken after Don Vito Corleone is shot by men working for drug kingpin Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo. Two of Corleone's sons, Santino (Sonny) and Michael, take an active role in the family business with the help of consigliere Tom Hagen and the family's two caporegimes, Peter Clemenza and Salvatore Tessio. When Michael murders Sollozzo and his bodyguard, corrupt NYPD Captain Mark McCluskey, the conflict escalates into a full-scale war which results in Sonny's murder. Michael must return from hiding in Sicily to assume control of the family as the new Don. Under his retired father's tutelage, Michael orchestrates a plan to exact revenge, while relocating the Corleone family's power base to Las Vegas in order to further his goal of legitimizing the family and getting them out of organized crime. This encompasses the murder of all of the Corleone family's enemies, including Michael's brother-in-law Carlo Rizzi, who played a part in Sonny's murder. After selling all of the family's remaining businesses in New York, the Corleones permanently move to Las Vegas.

Main characters

The Corleone family patriarch is Vito Corleone (the Don), whose surname represents the Sicilian town of his birth, Corleone. His birth name is Vittorio Andolini, but after immigrating to the United States following the deaths of his parents and brother, he changed it to the name of his home village as one of his few acts of sentimentality. Vito fathered four children: Sonny Corleone, Fredo Corleone, Michael Corleone, and Connie Corleone. He also has an informally adopted Irish son, Tom Hagen, who became the Corleone family's consigliere (counselor). Vito Corleone is also godfather to the famous singer and movie star Johnny Fontane. The godfather referred to in the title is Vito, but the story's main character becomes Michael. The novel's central storyline details Michael's destiny to succeed his father as the head of the family empire, despite his desire to lead an Americanized life with his girlfriend (and eventual wife) Kay Adams.

The Corleone family is a criminal organization with national influence, notably protection, gambling, and union racketeering. Serving as the Don's underboss is his oldest son, Sonny. The operational side of the organization is headed by two caporegimes, Peter Clemenza and Salvatore Tessio. Other significant members of the organization include Connie's abusive husband Carlo Rizzi and enforcers Luca Brasi and Al Neri.

Reception

Mario Puzo in 1972

In The New York Times, Roger Jellinek wrote that the book was "bound to be hugely successful, and not simply because the Mafia is in the news. Mr. Puzo's novel is a voyeur’s dream, a skillful fantasy of violent personal power without consequences. The victims of the Corleone 'family' are hoods, or corrupt cops – nobody you or I would actually want to know. Just business, as Don Vito would say, not personal. You never glimpse regular people in the book, let alone meet them, so there is no opportunity to sympathize with anyone but the old patriarch, as he makes the world safe for his beloved 'family.'" The novel remained on The New York Times Best Seller list for 67 weeks and sold over nine million copies in two years.

The novel is #53 on the PBS The Great American Read list of "America's 100 most-loved books". In the UK, the novel was #91 on the 2003 BBC The Big Read list of the top 200 novels in the United Kingdom, based on the goal of finding the "Nation's Best-loved Novel".

Film adaptation

Main article: The Godfather

The 1972 film adaptation of the novel was released with Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone and Al Pacino as Michael Corleone, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Mario Puzo assisted with both the writing of the screenplay and other production tasks. The film grossed approximately $269 million worldwide and won various awards, including three Academy Awards, five Golden Globes and one Grammy. The film is considered to be tremendously significant in cinematic history. The sequel, The Godfather Part II won six Oscars, and became the first sequel to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

The film's plot follows the novel except for such details as backstories of some characters that are excluded, although they were filmed. Some of this footage was included in later re-edited versions such as, "The Godfather Saga." The subplot involving Johnny Fontane in Hollywood was not filmed. The most significant deviation of the film from the novel was that the latter had a more positive ending than the film in which Kay Corleone accepts Michael's decision to take over his father's business. The film ends with Kay's realization of Michael's callousness, a theme that would develop in the second and third films, which are largely not based on the original novel. Vito Corleone's backstory appeared in the second film, with his character portrayed by Robert De Niro.

Sequels

In 1984, Puzo's literary sequel to The Godfather was published. Titled The Sicilian, it chronicles the life of "Giuliano" (Salvatore Giuliano) but the Corleone family is featured heavily throughout, Michael Corleone in particular. Chronologically this story sits between Michael's exile to Sicily in 1950 (Book VI) and his return to the United States (Book VII). For copyright reasons, the Corleone family involvement was cut from the Michael Cimino film adaptation, which is not considered part of the Godfather film series.

In 2004, Random House published a sequel to Puzo's The Godfather, The Godfather Returns, by Mark Winegardner. A further sequel by Winegardner, The Godfather's Revenge, was released in 2006. These novels continue the story from Puzo's novel.

The Godfather Returns picks up the story immediately after the end of Puzo's The Godfather. It covers the years 1955 to 1962, as well as providing significant backstory for Michael Corleone's character prior to the events of the first novel. The events of the film The Godfather Part II all take place within the timeframe of this novel, but are only mentioned in the background. The novel contains an appendix that attempts to correlate the events of the novels with the events of the films.

The Godfather's Revenge covers the years 1963 to 1964.

Continuing Puzo's habit, as seen in The Godfather, of featuring characters who are close analogs of real-life events and public figures (as Johnny Fontane is an analog of Frank Sinatra), Winegardner features in his two Godfather novels analogs of Joseph, John F. and Robert F. Kennedy, as well as alleged organized crime figure Carlos Marcello (Carlo Tramonti). In The Godfather Returns, Winegardner also dramatizes the sweep of organized crime arrests that took place in Apalachin, New York, in 1957.

Winegardner uses all of the characters from the Puzo novels and created a few of his own, most notably Nick Geraci, a Corleone soldier who plays a pivotal role in the sequel novels. Winegardner further develops characters from the original novel, such as Fredo Corleone, Tom Hagen, and Johnny Fontane.

In 2012, a prequel based on an unproduced screenplay by Mario Puzo titled The Family Corleone, was written by Ed Falco. It tells the story of how Vito Corleone rises to Don and how Sonny Corleone and Tom Hagen enter the family business.

The Godfather Novel Twin

The Godfather Novel may be the original, but it also comes with one upcoming counterpart. With this new upcoming book, it was only identical in plot with the infamous gang fighting and the counterfeit money-making of the Sicilian Mafia. In this book which sure enough is called The Godfather has many characters, the main character being a man named Cambino Dalchieto a Sicilian-Italian male who has Black tailored pants, and a white button-up shirt tucked in, and black polished snake skin shoes. He has golden and silver jewelry on his index and middle fingers, and he has a silver pure diamond watch.

Cambino's sister who is named Salamessa Dalchieto a particularly beautiful woman who has a light purple, silky, long-skirted dress with black and gold high-heels. She has a very beautiful physique with brunette colored hair, dark brown eyes, symmetrical facial features, medium bust, and a both delicate and voluptuous silhouette.

Although there are other characters like a man named Chabette who is Cambino, and Salamessa's divorced father, and the Boss or The Don of the family who is named Don Ricci. But Cambino and Salamessa are the two Main Characters in the plot, both of them having to deny the growing anticipation and danger that comes with the various families including theirs' and how dangerous the Sicilian Mafia can become under improper eyes.

The text Below is a full rewrite of the first 1-5 chapters of the book. Keep in mind that the book is being advanced and evolved everyday, from changing to the plot, to the creation of the characters, and it could have been changed right then as of late.

====The Godfather==

Chapter 1: Blood and Loyalty Sicily, March 23rd, 1932. The air smelled of sea salt and tobacco, thick with the whispers of men who spoke in low voices over espresso and cigars. The old stone streets of Palermo were wet from last night’s rain, and the alleyways glistened under the morning sun.

Cambino Dalchieto adjusted the collar of his jacket as he walked through the narrow streets, hands tucked into his pockets. His father, Chabette Dalchieto, had sent word—there was business to handle. And in this world, when Chabette called, you didn’t keep him waiting.

He entered the dimly lit café, where the real business of the city was done. The place wasn’t marked by a sign—only those who needed to find it knew where to go. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of strong coffee and the musk of men who had seen too many nights of violence.

Chabette sat in the back, his fingers drumming lazily against the wooden table. He was a man of presence, one who could silence a room with a glance. His salt-and-pepper hair was slicked back, and his mustache curled slightly at the ends. The man sitting beside him was Don Ricci—the head of the family, the one whose amusement Cambino had started to earn.

“Cambino,” Chabette said, motioning for him to sit. “We got something to discuss.”

Don Ricci looked at him with an amused smirk, swirling the last of his espresso. “You ever hear of a man named Vittoro Casitto?”

Cambino nodded. “Yeah. Runs with the Casitto Mafia. Controls a good chunk of the port trade.”

Don Ricci’s smirk widened. “Not for much longer.”

Chabette leaned forward. “You got a job. Vittoro’s been skimming off our imports. The Don wants him gone. Quietly.”

Cambino exhaled. These kinds of jobs weren’t new to him, but they were never easy. He nodded. “Consider it done.”

As the conversation shifted, the door to the café opened. Cambino didn’t need to turn around—he already knew who it was. Salamessa.

She moved like she belonged here, even though she didn’t. Her dark curls bounced with each step, and her dress, though modest, clung in just the right places. But what made her stand out wasn’t her beauty—it was the way she looked at Cambino. A gaze too intense, too unwavering.

She sat beside him, gripping his arm, her voice soft yet firm. “You didn’t come home last night.”

Chabette rolled his eyes. “Salamessa, let the boy breathe.”

She didn’t. Instead, she tightened her hold on Cambino, her fingers possessive. “You could’ve been dead in a ditch, Cambino. You don’t write, you don’t send word. What am I supposed to think?”

Cambino sighed. “I was working.”

Salamessa’s dark eyes searched his, then she huffed. “Fine. But I’m cooking for you tonight. No arguments.”

Don Ricci chuckled. “You got a loyal one, Cambino. That’s rare.”

Cambino forced a smile. “Yeah… real rare.”

He loved his sister, truly. But sometimes, her love was suffocating.

And in this life, suffocation could get a man killed.

Chapter 2: The Weight of a Name

The Sicilian sun had barely set when Cambino found himself outside a warehouse near the docks. The air carried the sharp scent of salt and damp wood, the waves lapping against the shore in the distance. He adjusted the cuffs of his jacket, the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders.

Inside, Vittoro Casitto oversaw the movement of goods—fine liquor, imported silks, and rare jewelry, all part of the trade that had made his family powerful. Lately, though, the Casitto name had been whispered too often in places it shouldn’t.

Cambino moved through the narrow alleyway beside the building, listening carefully to the muffled voices inside.

“…The Dalchietos are pushing in too close,” one man muttered.

Vittoro’s voice followed, dismissive but edged with irritation. “Chabette Dalchieto? He’s been in this game for years. I’m not worried.”

Cambino smirked to himself. Maybe Vittoro should have been.

He stepped through a side entrance, unnoticed at first. The dim glow of lanterns cast long shadows across the wooden crates. Vittoro stood in the center, engaged in conversation with two associates.

Cambino cleared his throat. “Evening, Vittoro.”

The room fell silent. Vittoro turned, his brows furrowing. “Dalchieto?”

“I hear you’ve been making new friends,” Cambino said casually, stepping closer. “The kind that don’t mix well with ours.”

Vittoro studied him, his expression tense. “We’re all just businessmen, Cambino. No need to make things personal.”

Cambino tilted his head. “That so?”

Vittoro hesitated, but before he could speak again, Cambino reached into his coat and pulled out a folded note. “A message from Don Ricci.”

Vittoro took the paper, unfolding it with careful fingers. His eyes skimmed the words, and his jaw tightened. “So that’s how it is.”

“Afraid so.”

For a long moment, Vittoro held his gaze. Then, with a sigh, he folded the note and placed it on the crate beside him. “I always knew this day might come.”

Cambino gave a small nod. “Then you understand.”

Vittoro exhaled, then extended his hand. Cambino shook it, a silent understanding passing between them. With that, he turned and left, the sounds of the port fading behind him.

---

When Cambino returned home, the scent of garlic and simmering tomatoes filled the air. Salamessa stood at the stove, humming softly as she stirred a pot. She looked up the moment he stepped inside, her expression shifting from contentment to relief.

“There you are.” She wiped her hands on a cloth and approached him, her gaze scanning his face. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine,” Cambino assured her, hanging up his coat.

She reached out, brushing the sleeve of his shirt with her fingertips. “You should be careful.”

Cambino smirked. “And you should use less garlic.”

Salamessa huffed but didn’t argue. Instead, she took his hand and guided him to the table. “Sit. You need to eat.”

He obeyed, mostly because he knew there was no point in fighting her on it. She filled his plate generously, sitting across from him, watching his every move like a hawk.

“You worry too much,” Cambino said between bites.

She crossed her arms. “And you don’t worry enough.”

He chuckled. “That’s what Papa says.”

Salamessa’s eyes darkened slightly. “Maybe he’s right.”

Cambino sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Listen, Salamessa. I can handle myself. You don’t have to—”

“I do have to.” She cut him off, her voice quieter now. “If I don’t, who will?”

He didn’t have an answer for that.

Outside, the streets of Palermo buzzed with life—laughter, distant music, the calls of merchants closing shop for the night. But inside, it was just the two of them—Cambino and Salamessa, bound by blood and something even deeper.

And as much as Cambino wanted to brush it off, he couldn’t ignore the weight of her love.

A love that was unwavering, for better or worse.

Chapter 3: A Favor for the Don

The following morning, Cambino found himself outside Don Ricci’s villa, a grand estate perched on the hillside overlooking Palermo. The sea stretched far beyond, its blue waves glistening under the early sun. Birds chirped in the cypress trees that lined the stone pathways, but the air carried a stillness—a weight that came with being summoned by the Don.

A man didn’t ignore such calls.

Inside, the villa was cool and shaded, the thick walls keeping out the Sicilian heat. Cambino was escorted to the study, where Don Ricci sat behind a mahogany desk, smoking a cigar. Chabette stood nearby, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

“Cambino,” Ricci greeted, exhaling a slow curl of smoke. “You handled that situation with Vittoro well. No unnecessary noise, no trouble for us.”

Cambino nodded. “I did as you asked.”

The Don smiled faintly, tapping his cigar against an ashtray. “That’s what I like about you. You don’t ask questions—you just get things done. And because of that, I’ve got another job for you.”

Cambino remained silent, waiting.

Don Ricci leaned forward. “There’s a man—Emilio Tobente. He runs part of the Sicilian exports business, but lately, he’s been cozying up to the Sichilito family. They want a bigger cut of our trade routes. I need you to… remind him where his loyalties should lie.”

Cambino tilted his head slightly. “How direct should this reminder be?”

Ricci smirked. “That depends on how cooperative he is.”

Chabette finally spoke. “The Tobentes aren’t stupid, but they’re ambitious. If Emilio sees an opportunity, he might take it. Don’t give him that chance.”

Cambino nodded once. “Understood.”

The Don took another puff of his cigar. “One more thing—take Benedetto with you. He’ll be useful.”

Benedetto. A good man, reliable. But unlike Cambino, he had a temper that sometimes got in the way of business.

Still, orders were orders.

---

That evening, Cambino and Benedetto rode through the countryside, heading toward Emilio Tobente’s estate. The ride was quiet, the scent of citrus and dry earth filling the air. Benedetto whistled softly, adjusting his hat.

“So, what do you think?” Benedetto asked. “You think Tobente will play nice?”

Cambino kept his eyes on the road. “Does it matter?”

Benedetto chuckled. “Guess not.”

By the time they reached the estate, the sky had turned a dusky orange. Tobente’s villa was smaller than Ricci’s but still impressive—white stone walls, a courtyard lined with olive trees, and a fountain in the center.

A guard met them at the entrance. “State your business.”

Cambino stepped forward. “We have a message for Emilio.”

The guard hesitated before nodding. “Wait here.”

Minutes later, they were led inside to a study where Emilio Tobente sat at a polished desk, sipping wine. He was a man in his forties, well-dressed, his hair slicked back with oil. He looked up with a polite smile.

“Ah, the Dalchieto boy,” he greeted. “I was wondering when I’d be seeing you.”

Cambino pulled out a chair and sat across from him. Benedetto remained standing by the door.

“I hear you’ve been speaking with the Sichilitos,” Cambino said casually.

Emilio swirled his wine, smirking. “I speak with a lot of people.”

Cambino leaned back. “Then you won’t mind telling me what those conversations were about.”

Emilio chuckled. “Come now, Cambino. We’re all businessmen here. You know how it is—people make offers, we listen.”

Benedetto cracked his knuckles. “Maybe you’ve been listening too much.”

Emilio’s smile didn’t waver, but there was a flicker of something behind his eyes. “Is this a warning?”

Cambino studied him. “Think of it as an opportunity. The Don values loyalty. Show him yours, and there won’t be any problems.”

Emilio set his glass down. “And if I don’t?”

Benedetto stepped forward, placing a hand on Emilio’s desk. “Then it won’t be us knocking on your door next time.”

A heavy silence settled over the room.

Finally, Emilio sighed and spread his hands. “Fine. I see your point. Tell Don Ricci he has nothing to worry about from me.”

Cambino gave a slow nod, standing. “Good. I’ll let him know.”

They left without another word, the message delivered.

As they rode back toward Palermo, Benedetto let out a low whistle. “You think he’ll keep his word?”

Cambino exhaled. “Does it matter?”

Benedetto laughed. “Guess not.”

Chapter 4: A Seat at the Table

The air in Don Ricci’s villa was thick with the scent of cigars and aged whiskey. The evening sun cast golden light through the high windows, reflecting off the polished mahogany table where the Don and his closest men sat. Cambino stood at the head of the room, his hands resting at his sides, his expression calm.

Chabette stood to Ricci’s right, watching his son with an unreadable gaze. Benedetto leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, smirking like he already knew what was coming.

Don Ricci set down his glass and gestured for Cambino to step closer.

“You’ve proven yourself time and time again,” the Don said, his voice smooth but firm. “You don’t hesitate, you don’t ask unnecessary questions. And most importantly, you get results.”

Cambino remained silent, waiting.

The Don glanced around the room. “Loyal men are hard to come by. Smart men—capable men—even harder. But Cambino here? He’s both.”

Murmurs of agreement filled the room.

“That’s why, from this day forward,” Ricci continued, locking eyes with Cambino, “you’ll no longer just be a soldier. You’re a lieutenant now. You’ll answer directly to me, and you’ll have men under you. With that comes power, responsibility, and trust.”

A small wave of pride rippled through Cambino’s chest, but he kept his expression controlled. He nodded. “I won’t disappoint you, Don Ricci.”

The Don smiled. “I know you won’t.”

Glasses clinked as the men toasted to Cambino’s promotion. Chabette gave him a firm nod, a rare sign of approval. Benedetto clapped him on the back with a chuckle. “Well, look at you—moving up in the world.”

Cambino smirked. “Somebody’s got to.”

The evening carried on with drinks, conversation, and plans for the future. But Cambino knew where he truly wanted to be.

Home.

---

When Cambino stepped through the front door of the Dalchieto home, he was met with the warm glow of candlelight. The house was quiet, save for the faint sound of a record player humming a soft tune from the sitting room.

Salamessa was there, standing by the window, her back turned as she gazed outside. She wore a simple dress, her dark hair cascading down her back. At the sound of his footsteps, she turned, her eyes instantly lighting up.

“Cambino.”

There was something in the way she said his name—soft, relieved, as if she had been waiting all night just to see him.

He smirked. “Expecting someone else?”

She huffed, crossing the room in quick steps, and before he could say another word, she wrapped her arms around him. He hesitated for a moment before returning the embrace, resting his chin lightly on the top of her head.

“You’re late,” she murmured.

“I had business.”

She pulled back just enough to look up at him. “Good news or bad?”

Cambino brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Good. Ricci made me a lieutenant.”

Her eyes widened. “Truly?”

He nodded.

A bright smile broke across her face, and without warning, she threw her arms around his neck again. “I knew it! I knew you were meant for more than just following orders.”

He chuckled. “You sound more excited than I am.”

“Of course I am,” she insisted, pulling back just enough to cup his face in her hands. “You deserve this, Cambino. You deserve everything.”

For a moment, there was only silence between them. A comfortable, lingering silence, filled with unspoken emotions. Salamessa’s thumb brushed lightly over his cheek before she stepped back.

“I made dinner,” she said softly. “Sit with me?”

Cambino nodded. “Yeah.”

As they sat together, the world outside felt distant. The dangers, the responsibilities, the expectations—all of it could wait. For tonight, it was just the two of them, the flickering candlelight, and the quiet hum of an old record playing in the background.

And that was enough.

The sun had fully set by the time they reached the city, the lamps casting long shadows across the streets. Another job done, another night in Palermo.

But Cambino knew this was just the beginning.

Loyalty was fragile. And in Sicily, trust could shift as quickly as the tide.

Chapter 5: A Day of Rest

The morning air carried the scent of fresh bread and citrus, drifting in through the open windows of the Dalchieto home. The streets of Palermo murmured with life—vendors setting up shop, children laughing as they ran through the alleyways—but inside, it was peaceful.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Cambino had no obligations, no orders to follow, no messages to deliver.

A gift from Don Ricci.

“Enjoy the day, Cambino,” the Don had said the night before. “You’ve earned it.”

And so, for once, he allowed himself to rest.

---

Cambino stretched lazily in his chair, sipping a cup of strong espresso at the dining table. He had barely taken his second sip before he felt the familiar presence of Salamessa behind him.

“Still tired?” she murmured.

He smirked. “Not really.”

Before he could react, Salamessa draped her arms over his shoulders from behind, resting her chin lightly on his head. “Good,” she said softly. “Because I want to spend the whole day with you.”

He chuckled. “You always do.”

“And now I don’t have to fight anyone for your time,” she teased.

She moved around to his side, taking his hand in hers and gently tugging. “Come on. You’re not spending your free day drinking coffee at the table.”

Cambino sighed but allowed himself to be led. “What do you have in mind?”

Salamessa didn’t answer, simply guiding him toward the sitting room. The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the couch where she pulled him down beside her.

The moment he sat, she curled up against him, resting her head on his chest. “Just this,” she murmured.

Cambino exhaled through his nose, amused. “You don’t waste time, do you?”

“Never.”

She nestled closer, one arm draped across his stomach, her fingers lightly tracing circles over the fabric of his shirt. Her warmth pressed against him, her breathing soft and steady. It was rare—this kind of quiet, uninterrupted peace.

“Do you know how much I worry about you?” Salamessa whispered after a moment.

Cambino sighed, resting a hand lightly on her back. “You don’t have to.”

“I do,” she insisted, tightening her grip around him. “Every time you leave, I don’t know if you’ll come back.”

He hesitated before replying. “I always come back.”

Salamessa didn’t seem convinced. She shifted, pressing herself even closer against him, as if she could keep him there by sheer force of will.

“You should get more days off,” she murmured. “Maybe then I wouldn’t have to spend so much time missing you.”

Cambino smirked, running a hand lightly through her hair. “That’s not how this life works, tesoro.”

She huffed. “Then maybe you should work less.”

He chuckled but didn’t argue. Instead, he allowed the moment to stretch, his fingers absentmindedly stroking her hair, her warmth pressing against his side.

For the first time in a long while, there was no tension in his shoulders, no weight on his mind. Just the quiet rhythm of their breathing, the faint sounds of the city outside, and Salamessa’s arms wrapped securely around him.

“Stay like this a little longer,” she whispered.

He closed his eyes. “Yeah.”

Just a little longer.

Chapter 6: Unwavering Devotion The golden afternoon sunlight filtered through the lace curtains, casting soft patterns across the wooden floor of the Dalchieto home. The warmth of the day had settled in, creating an atmosphere of comfort and stillness. Cambino remained on the couch, his arms still loosely around Salamessa as she rested against him.

But something had changed.

Her embrace, once simply affectionate, had become something else—something deeper. The way her fingers idly traced over his chest, the way she pressed just a little closer, as if to melt into him. She wasn’t simply holding onto him anymore—she was savoring him.

“Are you comfortable?” she asked softly, her voice lilting, almost teasing.

Cambino smirked. “I was, until you started moving around so much.”

Salamessa lifted her head just enough to look at him, her dark eyes gleaming with something playful. “Maybe I just want to make sure you don’t forget how much I adore you.”

He raised an eyebrow, amused. “Tesoro, you remind me every day.”

“Not enough.”

Her fingers trailed lightly up his arm, barely touching, as if testing how much of his attention she could steal. When she reached his shoulder, she gave it a slow squeeze, her thumb brushing in small circles over the fabric of his shirt.

Cambino exhaled, shaking his head. “You’re being dramatic.”

Salamessa hummed, tilting her head as she leaned in just slightly. “Am I?”

Her voice was softer now, lower, dripping with something almost… possessive.

Real-life influences

Large parts of the novel are based upon reality, notably the history of the "Five Families", the Mafia organization in New York and the surrounding area. The novel also includes many allusions to real-life mobsters and their associates. For example, Johnny Fontane is based on Frank Sinatra, and Moe Greene on Bugsy Siegel. In addition, the character of Vito Corleone was a composite of real-life organized crime bosses Frank Costello and Carlo Gambino.

External links

• The Official Mario Puzo's Library entry for The Godfather
• 20th-Century American Bestsellers's Entry for The Godfather