First edition fine

37-4

844067550X

Mario Puzo's 1996 novel connects the world of the American mafia on the east coast to the gambling and movie world of the west coast. The eponymous last Don, Don Domenico Clericuzio, is the last remaining head of a big mafia family in America and wants his children to live a life free from illegal action. He sets his sons up with legal businesses and careers, but the hunger for power and the willingness to commit a crime cannot completely be subdued in the family. Don Domenico's grandson Dante also causes a lot of trouble as he enjoys killing. In Las Vegas we meet Pippi De Lena and his children Claudia and Cross. Pippi De Lena is Don Domenico's cousin and the family 'hammer', that is the hitman for the family. The Don has installed him as his Bruglione in the west who is in control of a Las Vegas casino that makes a fortune for both the Clericuzio family and De Lena. When his son Cross takes over, he only takes over the casino and refuses to kill someone for the mafia family. The Don's grandson Dante eventually kills Pippi De Lena because he wants to be the family 'hammer', which makes Cross plot revenge. Also involved in all this is the Los Angeles movie business where Claudia, Pippi De Lena's daughter, tries to make a living for herself as a writer. As you can see, there is a lot happening in The Last Don, but the different plot lines are deeply interwoven and constantly converge.

The Last Don is an entertaining read, but I found the number of characters a bit confusing at the beginning as it was hard to keep track who is who and what motives the different characters seem to have. However, once I got into the novel a bit further it was easy to follow and I enjoyed reading it. 3.5 stars for a good read. ( )

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