The Godfather Returns

Infobox Book |
name = The Godfather Returns
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption =
author = Mark Winegardner
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series = The Godfather
genre = Crime novel
publisher = Random House
release_date = November 16, 2004
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback) & Audio Book
pages = 448 pp (Hardcover), 538 pp (Paperback)
isbn = ISBN 1-4000-6101-6
preceded_by = The Sicilian
followed_by = The Godfather's Revenge

"The Godfather Returns" is a novel written by author Mark Winegardner, published in 2004. It is the sequel to Mario Puzo's "The Godfather", which was originally published in 1969, and "The Sicilian" (1984). As the original novel covered the years 1945 to 1955, and included significant backstory on Don Vito Corleone's life since childhood, "Returns" covers the years 1955 to 1962, and includes significant backstory on Michael Corleone's life prior to the first novel.

The story picks up immediately after the end of the first novel. The events of the film "The Godfather Part II" take place within the time frame of this novel, but are only mentioned in the background. Many of Puzo's characters are expanded upon, especially Fredo Corleone, Tom Hagen, and Johnny Fontane, and new characters like Nick Geraci and Francesca Corleone are introduced. The other half of the novel goes deeper into Michael's role as Don and his dream of becoming legitimate. The novel expands on Michael's service in World War II as well as his brother Fredo's secret life. The novel shows how Sonny, Fredo and Tom Hagen join the family business, as well as the deaths of Pete Clemenza and Sal Tessio.

"The Godfather Returns" was followed by "The Godfather's Revenge" in 2006, also written by Winegardner.

Film adaptation

Since "The Godfather Part III" was released in 1990, there have been several rumors of a fourth part in the saga. In November 2006 Moviehole.net, citing sources inside Paramount Pictures, claimed that a film adaptation of "The Godfather Returns" and its sequel "The Godfather's Revenge" are silently being developed. [cite web| url=http://www.moviehole.net/news/20061110_paramount_prepping_new_godfath.html| title=Paramount prepping new Godfather?| accessdate=2006-11-10]

Footnotes