Title: Six Graves to Munich
Author: Mario Puzo
First published January 1, 1967
256 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781906694234 (ISBN10: 1906694230)
Rating: 3.63
Overview
From the bestselling author of The Godfather comes a gripping tale of justice and revenge. John Smith was a soldier who fought valiantly in World War II, but when he returns home, he finds that his family has been brutally murdered.
The killers, a group of ruthless gangsters, are still on the loose, and John is determined to make them pay. With nothing left to lose, he sets out on a dangerous mission to track down the men responsible for the death of his loved ones.
Armed with his military training and a thirst for vengeance, John will stop at nothing to ensure that justice is served. For him, there’s only one way to end this – with six graves.
About the Author
Mario Puzo was born into a poor family of Neapolitan immigrants in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. His background heavily influenced many of his books.
After graduating from City College of New York, Puzo joined the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Despite his poor eyesight, he served as a public relations officer stationed in Germany.
In the 1950s and early 1960s, Puzo worked for Martin Goodman’s Magazine Management Company, writing for men’s magazines such as Male, True Action, and Swank. He also wrote World War II adventure stories under the pseudonym Mario Cleri.
Puzo’s most famous work, The Godfather, was published in 1969 after he had heard stories about Mafia organizations during his time in pulp journalism. His primary motivation was to make money and appeal to the masses.
The book became a number one bestseller for months on the New York Times Best Seller List and was later adapted into the film The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Puzo won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the film.
Puzo also worked on other films such as Superman and The Cotton Club. He died of heart failure in 1999 at his home in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York.
Although he never saw the publication of his penultimate book, Omertà, and some criticized it as being written by a hack, the manuscript was finished before his death, as was the manuscript for The Family. Puzo’s family now resides in East Islip, New York.
Editoral Review
Six Graves to Munich by Mario Puzo is a thrilling novel that tells the story of a man named Michael Rogan, a former American intelligence officer who seeks revenge against the Nazis who killed his family during World War II. First published on January 1, 1967, Puzo’s work is a masterpiece of the thriller genre, incorporating elements of suspense, action, and intrigue.
The novel takes place in Germany in the years following the war, and Puzo masterfully captures the mood and atmosphere of the time. Through vivid descriptions of the setting and characters, he creates a world that is both tense and dangerous, as Rogan navigates a world of espionage and political intrigue in his quest for vengeance.
The plot of Six Graves to Munich is engaging and fast-paced, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The main character, Michael Rogan, is a complex and compelling figure, driven by his desire for revenge and haunted by the memories of his past.
Other characters, such as the beautiful and enigmatic Elsa Kraeger and the ruthless Nazi hunter Ernst Hausner, add depth and complexity to the story, creating a rich and fascinating world that readers will be drawn into.
One of the strengths of the novel is Puzo’s writing style, which is both elegant and suspenseful. His prose is beautiful and evocative, drawing readers into the story and immersing them in the world of Six Graves to Munich.
The pacing of the novel is also excellent, with just the right balance of action and exposition to keep readers engaged from start to finish.
The themes of the novel are also timely and relevant, touching on issues of vengeance, justice, and the legacy of war. Puzo explores these themes with sensitivity and nuance, creating a work that is both thought-provoking and entertaining.
Overall, Six Graves to Munich is a masterful work of suspense and intrigue, and a must-read for fans of the thriller genre. While there are some minor flaws in the novel, such as occasional lapses in pacing and character development, these are outweighed by the strengths of the work as a whole.
For those who enjoy fast-paced, action-packed thrillers with a touch of historical and political intrigue, Six Graves to Munich is a must-read. It is a work of great skill and craftsmanship, and a testament to Puzo’s talent as a writer.
For these reasons, we give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
