I think this is one of the best books I have ever read in my life. Honestly, It took me a few months to read. It is written with so dense thoughts encompassed in every sentence, that one could not just flip the pages. Every word in this book matters, and every sentence was given a deep thought by the author. Very rich book, as the life itself. I would not even consider this book as a novel, I would rather consider it being a book of life. Gambling world and the world of writers and the moviemakers are twisted in a perfectly tailored life path of the Book’s main hero - Merlyn. I found in this book so many reflections of my own life, and so much wisdom of power games that people play. It is a pleasure (and it requires efforts, too) to read, an absolute standout in literature from other peer writers of Mario Puzo’s time. I was fascinated how intelligent dialogues and life efforts are set up. Descriptions of thoughts of main characters are not excessive and deep enough to understand true emotions, which people feel in various circumstances. A very vivid book, a book of wisdom that encourages readers to live their lives in full. To leave “not only length of the life, but also the width of it”.
Eduard Novoselov