emily cryptic's Reviews > The Last Don

Like most of the others who have reviewed this book, I thought it was much too long. My favorite review so far was simply "too many chapters." But Puzo's problem in this book extends beyond excessive chapters, or length; it's that he tried to write two different stories in one, with too many characters and too little tension. The story about the Clericuzio family is actually quite interesting and well crafted, but Puzo drags out the set-up for 300 pages, finally puts together some genuine plot movement, then rushes the ending, at just under 500 pages, making both the journey and the payoff frustrating and unsatisfying. I was thrilled to finally be done with the book, but I also put it down yearning for more of the good stuff. Many of the Hollywood characters are so forgettable, I struggled to understand why they were a part of the story at all. Cross, Pippi and The Don are far and away the most compelling element of the story. I would have skipped the first 300 pages of movie industry garbage and gotten right to the heart of the Clericuzio struggles. I loved The Godfather, and I do love Puzo's storytelling--he is a very talented writer. But he needed to pick between indulging in his bitter Hollywood rant, or nailing another intriguing mob thriller.