***1/2Mario Puzo's "The Fourth K," one of his least commercially successful novels, is a bit of what-if fiction, in this case, What if another Kennedy became President?The book suggests a setting roughly around the time of its writing (early 90's). It incorporates some (fictional) history but doesn't spend a lot of time bringing the reader up to date on its alternate history; we're more or less shoved into the story right away. And it's a grim one involving the assassination of the Pope and the kidnapping of President Xavier Kennedy's daughter, along with a possible nuclear bomb detonation in NY--and are these three things the work of the same terrorists, or different groups?We get to know President Kennedy, his vice president, and staff. We also get some behind the scenes details on a group of old men who own about half the country and get together on weekend retreats to decide what advice to give the President. And we get in the heads of the terrorists to some extent.Some characters seem to be leads but are then dropped from the narrative, appearing later on. The president himself is a strange character, and it's hard to get a handle on him. He never seems particularly sympathetic, and in some ways he acts downright robotic. I wonder if Puzo, who could have easily written the same story without the alternate history angle, chose a Kennedy, albeit a fake one, as his protagonist, in order to give the reader an idea of his likability and acceptability before reading the first page.I wish some characters got some more page time (there's a particularly wonderful chapter midway through the novel, about a young man getting into the movie business, and his infatuation with an upper level producer), but "The Fourth K" is a more than serviceable thriller.
What a mess. Extremely weak writing, a profusion of superfluous ancillary characters, and every plot device ever known to writers of political thrillers thrown in: terrorism both foreign and domestic, hijacking, hostage-taking, murder, the Pope, assassination, presidential impeachment, martial law, retaliatory bombing of an oil-rich Persian gulf nation, a nuclear bomb, a secret cabal of billionaire industrialists.On top of this deranged layer cake are squeezed an aspiring Hollywood screenwriter, a sexually humiliated female movie producer, a president who wants universal healthcare and strong regulation of industry but also work camps for criminals in Alaska, Mormon angel pants. Martial law is declared but then never again mentioned. Puzo writes about impeachment as if by itself it removes a President; it doesn't. Impeachment is done by the House and must be followed by a Senate vote which either convicts or acquits. The Fourth K seems to be written by a computer program randomly auto-generating plotlines, or else someone with a terrible case of ADHD.
What do You think about The Fourth K (2004)?
This book is nowhere near as good as the Godfather, but it is the epitome of Puzo. He may be famous for dealing with Italian Americans/mafia/etc, but those are just familiar back drops for him to use while he writes about power and manipulation. This is the ultimate story of power. You think Michael Corleone knew how to get things done, just wait until the POTUS gets fed up with terrorists (due largely to an accumulation of tragedy in his life) and decides to go all 'murica on everyone's ass.This book is awesome. Casually starts out with the assassination of the Pope and only gets crazier from there. Puzo throws in kidnapping the presidents daughter, hiding an atomic bomb in NYC, destroying middle eastern oil producing cities/countries, and the US teetering on the edge of becoming a dictatorship. The story follows the white house, congress, and a group of the most powerful men in America while they do everything in their power to accomplish what they think is best for the country (LOL, no politician cares about anything other than him/herself).
—Matt
Good story that was exciting, interesting, and believable from start to finish.This book has an unusual way of introducing characters - they would pop up into the story only have an thorough introduction, background, fear etc on preceding pages - kind of helped, it chopped up the story when it happened.The characters were detailed, with quirks and features well described. The political stratagems were subtle, clever and a big part of the book. The power displayed by the oligarch and politicians - especially Christian Kerr, was well developed and displayed. Some of the outcomes were (bombing of Dak) very believable especially post 7/11. Bit surprised the presidents daughter was done over in cold blood - quite horrendous.The ending seemed a cheap and quick way to end the book - Francis's dreams to help the poor were a big part of the book only to have it stolen at the last minute.The Oracle was not that impressive - he was not displayed as he was portrayed.
—Kelv
