Customer Reviews

Fools Die

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Puzo shows the same temptations(lust,seduction,money,power,etc.) work outside his mafia novels.

From beginning to end this MARIO PUZO epic is true to his usual captivating stlye, and then some...It seems clear that Puzo has put a lot of himself in this novel, mixing his own personal experiences with a riveting tale of love, sex, war, revenge and the vast complexities of human interrelationships. Indeed, this is a novel about war between men and women, war in business, war with oneself. The exploratory self-aware nature of the main character Merlyn is not just interestingly developed and continuously evolving, but IS pure realism where only a book can be. Some say this book should be made into a film, but, and no doubt this review will lose some readers here, if Hollywood make a ham out of it as they did with the only oh-so 'The Godfather', then it is best left in the literary medium. Mario Puzo himself had no small axe to grind when referring to what Gil Scott-Heron called 'Hollyweird', and that relation is again explored in 'Fools Die' to a degree.
In reality, this book confronts issues about the society and beliefs within 1950's America, friendships and revenge, power and wealth and most predominantly: self-preservation.
The style does not fluctuate readily, allowing for a smooth read, but the prose swings from first-person (including amazingly insightful feminist point of views) to third; coping with themes and continuity extremely well. This book is not War & Peace, and it is not meant to be. It CAN serve as a eye-opening life-changer or simply be a damn good read! Underlying the plot, there always seems to be a dark undercurrent of sorts, and indeed death is no passing acquaintance (as Puzo readers will attest to) - but the key to this great novel is the underlying subtext (and here we can see the real underbelly of modern America culture) - no, not the mob you may be surprised to see, but inherant corruption within the very belief systems of the characters involved. Buy it, read it and read it again.

"Fools Die" is one of the most well written books that I have ever read. The words fit together to create an amazing story. This books proves that Mario Puzo does not need to write a story about the mafia to remain America's favorite storyteller.
"Fools Die" is set in Las Vegas. It deals with four friends who all meet in Las Vegas. Jordan traveled to Las Vegas to escape his homelife where his wife was leaving him. Merlyn "The Magician" went to Las Vegas to take a break and relax. Cully worked for the casino and overlooked the casino floor. Diane was a hooker for the casino. The book starts with one night, Jordan starts a lucky streak. By the end of the night, he obtained over $400,000. While his three other friends made arrangements for Jordan to leave the city, Jordan pulled out a gun that he had brought, and killed himself.
The book continues with telling stories about Cully and Merlyn. It shows their struggles, and how they start to recieve power. Cully becomes the casino manager's right hand man, but eventually decieves him to gain more power. Merlyn gets a job enlisting people into the six-month army reserve program. He becomes a crook by accepting bribes for people who are low on the list and do not want to become drafted into the army. By taking the bribes, Merlyn moves the people up on the list. Eventually, the FBI catches onto the scheme, and investigates. Merlyn, now a very wealthy man, quits his job.
Many other great characters are met during the book, especially the world famous author Osano, whom Merlyn starts to work for.
This book works on many levels. It is romance, thriller, crime, and dark comedy all rolled into one great book. Mario Puzo's genious work should be read by every person, because it will appeal to all. I hope you all read this book.
To read more books by Mario Puzo, read "The Godfather", and "The Last Don". Both books are excellent, just as good as "Fools Die".

This is one of a handful of books I re-read from time to time, mostly because I get something different out of it each time. I suppose I'm still trying to figure this one out.

Let's start with the title itself: After a lifetime, Merlyn notes "only fools die." Is that Puzo's point? Jordan, Cully, Osano -- were they just fools? They certainly helped do themselves in. But what of Malomar, Artie and Janelle? They didn't ask for death? Were they fools too? What, then, did Merlyn do differently? "Am I a monster that I should live?" Well, is he?

And what of Gronevelt? Aged, infirm, still pushing buttons in his casino -- both literally and figuratively -- controlling the lives and deaths of others. Is he meant to be God? Are we simply gamblers in some univeral casino, and degenerate ones at that, unavoidably subject to some inviolate "per-centage" beyond anyone's mortal control? Is that Puzo's point? Do we kid ourselves to think otherwise? Is life itself made up of those eternal moments the croupier says "A card for the player"?

There is much in this book to keep you fascinated and turning the pages. It's unfortunate, I think, that this book followed "The Godfather" in Puzo's output. The books are totally different, and those seeking a "Godfather" reprise will be dissappointed. (Similarly, I've always thought that silhouette image on the cover of "Fools Die" was a cheap and unnecessary attempt to evoke a "Godfather" connection -- the book is strong enough and deserves to stand on its own.)

After nearly thirty years, however, the book reveals certain flaws. The coarse language -- particularly on the part of the women -- seems unnecessary and distracting. While I've certainly heard real-live women use the same words, they don't seem to use them in quite the same way Puzo writes. Men and women ascribe different meanings to the same words. I doubt Puzo knew or cared about that. Janelle's language in particular seems forced and rather phony. Today I find her language somewhat embarassing.

Nevertheless, this book has a strange appeal for me and has had since I first read it more than 20 years ago. So many lines from the book have meaning for me and have stayed with me for years: "A terrible longshot, but what's that to a gambler? I still have a stack of black chips and an itch for terror." Hate to admit it, but I sometimes think that sums up my life.

I once read that Puzo himself called "Fools Die" his favorite and best work. I don't disagree.

I currently finished reading Puzo's critically acclaimed book "Fools Die". Let me tell this to you straight. The first Puzo books that I read were "The Godfather" and "The Sicilian". I did not particularly care for this third book. The book is all about casino gambling and Hollywood. About 1/3 of the characters are interesting but the rest leave something to be desired. The book really hits rock bottom as soon as the main character hits Hollywood. Somehow I still felt obligated to read this novel and spend many late nights reading past the halfway point of the book just because Puzo's name is on the cover in big black letters. I'm sure you know what I am talking about. Overall the book is written somewhat poorly and I'm sure if you read it you will know why Puzo is known for "The Godfather" and "The Sicilian" and not this novel. Like I said, it's a rough read but impossible to put down just because Puzo has his name on it. Im still debating whether I am even going to put it on my bookshelf. I think the closet floor might be a more attractive spot.

And I mean the early Harold Robbins, where the stories didn't get submerged in grossout imagery and demeaning sex. I'm talking about the Harold Robbins of "The Adventurers", "Never Love a Stranger" and "A Stone For Danny Fisher". Only this one comes across a bit like "The Dream Merchants" with one of its twin settings in Hollywood, fused with the Vegas scenes that "The Godfather" only briefly touched on as a place for Fredo to spend his summer vacation. The main character is good-guy minor author Merlyn as a customer in a Vegas casino, with Cully playing second banana as a casino employee on the rise. Merlyn's role model is the more established but crude writer Osano (I didn't catch a first name), who insults women and proteges like Merlyn with equal abandon to cover for the fact that his fame masks his declining talent. The story begins with a mutual friend of the pair breaking the bank at the Xanadu, only to take the elevator up to his hotel room and blow his own brains out. From there it switches back and forth between third-person narrative about Cully and first-person diary-style of Merlyn. We watch while Merlyn struggles with the battle beween creativity and the interference by cast and directors that a screenwriter must endure. Meanwhile back in Vegas, Cully moves through jobs as a dealer, a pit boss and the eyes and ears of owner Gronevelt on his way to the top of the Xanadu heap. Puzo established a name for himself as a writer of Mob stories on the strength of "The Godfather", but in truth this man also scripted the first two "Superman" features. As such, it shouldn't come as any surprise that he was also able to handle the character-driven sweeping bio style that made Robbins famous.

The book starts off with a bang - a distillation so to speak of the work of character in the book.

You can read the first few pages on Amazon. I did and it inspired me to go to the local bookstore and buy the paperback. Well, after the short and introspective "book 1," the scenes shifts to an introduction to the initial characters and the setting is the Xanadu in Las Vegas.

Many cool intricacies of the casino and its management are extra added info as the flow of character development builds nicely.

Of particular interest though throughout is the relationships between men and women. The thinking and vocal great author Osano, he of seven wives, gives some very interesting thoughts concerning this subject!

Gronevelt is brilliant. The tough casino operator who lives and dies by "the percentage." Countdown Cully is memorable, so slick and sharp. Jordan figures heavily in the beginning. Merlyn is mostly the narrator throughout and most things are seen through his eyes and written by his pen. Merlyn himself - a study in contrasts and surprises.

Bisexual Janelle, who loves Merlyn more than any other man is comprehensively explored. Merlyn loves her deeply.

But he also loves his wife who makes him happy. She though, in contrast with other characters, is hardly developed at all.

The hollywood crowd is vistited upon also. Not very nice people those folks, one would think after reading Fools Die!

All in all, this book has plenty of merit even in addition to the fact that it was fun to read.

THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ. MANY SAY IT IS ABOUT IMMORALITY AND GREED, I DISAGREE. IT'S A BOOK ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MEN AND MEN, WOMEN AND WOMEN AND MEN AND WOMEN. A REALISTIC VIEW OF HOW MEN REALLY FEEL ABOUT OTHER MEN AND WOMEN.

Not up to Mario Puzo standards, the story does not develop as quickly as other novels, a good story but constantly wondering when we will get into the "meat" of the novel.

Its almost long time I read Fools die but my memory shoots back to the thrill and excitement while I read this book of Mario Puzo, the very name that remained alive on back of my mind! It portrays a sinful side of an exceptional good person. Its all about the flawed choices of life - How people become consumed to lust, power and violence in a city like Las Vegas, New York and Holly wood. Its a page turner as you read through the pages with the main character John Merlyn and the scenes behind the publishing house and movie production in the mid of the book. Osano, Artie and Janelle indulge in a bad game of lust n kill n hook to series of scenes thru the story with the sex scenes more pitchy to read tilting away from the grip to read. Overall, its a great book which I possess and Mario Puzo 'The Godfather' is another one but this one is killing in the time when you really want to read and explore...