Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Grew Up… the oldest son of Vito Corleone, a mafia boss. Sonny, as Vito’s heir, is set to inherit his position at the head of the family upon Vito’s passing.
Living… during the height of a war between rival crime families. The Corleone family tries to preserve its honor and prowess, but as numerous problems impede their prominence in the crime world, Sonny is charged with the responsibility of saving his family from extinction. Sonny recruits his younger brother, Michael, a fresh military man who wanted nothing to do with his family’s “business.” If there is anyone who could draw Michael back into the family, it’s Sonny.
Profession… “underboss” of his organized crime family. Sonny is Vito’s most loyal son. There was never any doubt in Sonny’s mind that he would be part of the family business. He never tried to escape it, and for that Vito is eternally grateful.
Interests… protecting the safety of his sister Connie, who has a no-good, abusive husband.
Relationship Status… married to Sandra Corleone. They have children and a happy marriage. Or the appearance of one, at least. In reality Sonny has had a secret child with his mistress.
Challenge… keeping the Corleone crime family afloat. Sonny not only wants to survive, he wants to thrive in the crime world. And he’ll do anything it takes, even coaxing Michael to “blow [someone’s] brains over [his] nice Ivy League suit.”
Personality… short-tempered,tough and brutal, but charismatic. Sonny isn’t afraid to get bloody. He’s the “acting boss” of his family, and there’s a reason for that: Sonny acts. Show him a guy who needs leaning on, and he’ll lean on him. Give him a reason to kill, and he won’t hesitate. Sonny means business.
Get to Know him in...
-
The Godfather chronicles the lives of the fictional Italian-American Corleone crime family in teh 1940's. When organized crime family patriarch, Vito Corleone barely survives an attempt on his life, his youngest son Michael steps in to take care of the would-be killers—launching a campaign of bloody revenge.
-
In the continuing saga of the Corleone crime family, a young Vito Corleone grows up in Sicily and in 1910s New York. In the 1950s, Michael Corleone attempts to expand the family business into Las Vegas, Hollywood and Cuba.
-
In the midst of trying to legitimize his business dealings in 1979 New York and Italy, aging mafia don, Michael Corleone seeks forgiveness for his sins while taking a young protege under his wing.
-
A searing novel of the Mafia underworld, The Godfather introduced readers to the first family of American crime fiction, the Corleones, and the powerful legacy of tradition, blood, and honor that was passed on from father to son. With its themes of the seduction of power, the pitfalls of greed, and family allegiance, it resonated with millions of readers across the world—and became the definitive novel of the virile, violent subculture that remains steeped in intrigue, in controversy, and in our collective consciousness.
