The Godfather

About “The Godfather”

The Godfather is a crime novel written by American author Mario Puzo and published in 1969 by G. P. Putnam's Sons. The story follows a fictional Mafia family based in New York City and Long Beach, New York, led by Vito Corleone. The novel spans from 1945 to 1955 and includes Vito's early life and rise to power. Puzo dedicated the book to Anthony Cleri. The novel's epigraph comes from French author Honoré de Balzac, who wrote, "Behind every great fortune there is a crime." The book is available in collections such as The Godfather / The Fortunate Pilgrim and The Godfather / The Last Don.