The Godfather's Revenge

The Godfather's Revenge Review


by Mark Winegardner



Overall 3.25 of 5 view all 4 reviews
 




2008 Writer
williampinn
Roseville, CA
The Godfather's Revenge made me an offer I should have refused.
2 star rating

avid reader
Pros

    Continuing series

Cons
    Sprawling and unfocused

FEB
8
2008

The Godfather's Revenge — 

Dear Mark Winegardner,

When I was at my local grocery store, your new novel "The Godfather's Revenge" caught my eye. I grabbed it from the rack and was immediately hooked by the prologue, so I swiped my ATM card at the counter, and my bank account was debited $9.99 plus tax.

The prologue was brilliantly and artfully written, but the rest of your book sucked a big fat lollypop the size of my cousin Vinny's boil under his armpit--what you offered I could have and should have refused. Your 610 page book could have easily been condensed to around 200 pages. The plot would have moved faster and I would not have taken so many naps between chapters. You see, Mr. Winegardner, it is like this:

When I read a gangster novel, I want lots of action and suspense. I want to read about someone getting hit or rubbed out. I don't want to read about Tom Hayden's wife's art collection. Capiche? If I want to read about art, I'll read the "The Big Book of Art." OK...OK...I'll admit I would just look at the nudie paintings, but you get the point, right?

You included one extremely long, nauseating chapter that provided a detailed description of the sights and sounds of a fictitious World's Fair. Who cares?! You've seen one cotton candy machine-- you've seen them all. Please get a life, Mr. Winegardner. I would rather read about someone making an attempt on Michael Corleone's life at the World's Fair, or something equally exciting.

Hey! I'm dead serious! I am not going to untie you from that chair until you understand!

You also waste precious time and space by giving the reader long-winded character descriptions of minor characters that add little or nothing to the plot.

To put it simply, Mr. Winegardner, your book lacks a hook. For that reason, it deserves the hook. Now, before I cut you loose, I am going to make you an offer you can't refuse:

Before you write another gangster novel, read the "Valachi Papers" for inspiration--or I promise you I will never ever read any more of your "Big Books of Art"!

OK, boys, he's had enough. Cut him loose.

Last edited on Feb 08, 2008



I_thumb_down The Godfather's Revenge is not recommended by williampinn

13
helpful
votes
Did you find this review helpful?
 
 
 




I_comment_shdw24 Comments about williampinn’s Review

 


williampinn wrote on Mar 7, 2008 at 1:29PM

In response to PattyTherre's comment from Mar 2, 2008 at 7:56PM:

Thanks, Patty! Coming from a pro like you, your comment means a lot.

PattyTherre wrote on Mar 2, 2008 at 7:56PM

More! More reviews. This was a good read!

kid-kansas wrote on Feb 22, 2008 at 1:10PM

In response to williampinn's comment from Feb 22, 2008 at 12:41PM:

You're Welcome! Thanks for a very enjoyable review!!

williampinn wrote on Feb 22, 2008 at 12:41PM

In response to kid-kansas's comment from Feb 21, 2008 at 8:06PM:

Thanks for the shoutout, Ron!

kid-kansas wrote on Feb 21, 2008 at 8:06PM

I love the way you write your reviews, it makes you want to read more! Fantastic job!! Ron

williampinn wrote on Feb 21, 2008 at 1:16PM

In response to CrystaBush's comment from Feb 21, 2008 at 12:07AM:

Thanks for reading, Crysta.

CrystaBush wrote on Feb 21, 2008 at 12:07AM

Did you say "Capiche"?

You crack me up! I'm reading this review trying to picture who Mr. Winegardner is and can see him (whoever he is) tied up being "female dog" slapped!
Funny stuff!

williampinn wrote on Feb 15, 2008 at 12:25PM

In response to ChrisJarmick's comment from Feb 15, 2008 at 1:01AM:

Thanks Chris. A comment from a famous author such as yourself means a lot to me. :-)

ChrisJarmick wrote on Feb 15, 2008 at 1:01AM

At least when you suffer through something dreadful if you are a bit creative you can write a very funny bad review about the experience.

Thanks for the laughs.. very well done.... Bravo.

williampinn wrote on Feb 14, 2008 at 2:40AM

In response to LaurieM's comment from Feb 13, 2008 at 12:00PM:

Thank you. I write to impress myself, but it's always nicer when I can reach someone else.

LaurieM wrote on Feb 13, 2008 at 12:00PM

I absolutely LOVED this review. You cracked me up when you said "your book sucked a big fat lollypop the size of my cousin Vinny's boil under his armpit". Hahaha! Now if that doesn't get your point across, I don't know what would!!!

williampinn wrote on Feb 12, 2008 at 2:48PM

Thanks for your comments, folks.

vivasuzi wrote on Feb 9, 2008 at 6:36PM

Great review, thanks for the warning! My dad likes to read all sorts of books and now I know this is not one to buy for him.

mrkstvns wrote on Feb 9, 2008 at 4:35PM

LOL, your title just cracked me up...

BayouBengal wrote on Feb 9, 2008 at 11:21AM

It's good to see you over here! Karen