Question for those that read the book

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> It didn't seem likely that he would back stab Vito, although I guess in in the mobster's world anyone can be flipped.

Well, when Luca approached Tattaglia, he made it clear from the start that he would never act against Vito. Something like, "I would never go against the Don. I understand he must put his sons first."

It's also worth mentioning that in real life mobsters do sometimes switch families. Sammy "The Bull" Gravano started off with the Colombo Family but moved to the Gambino Family where he later became John Gotti's right hand man. Funny thing, the reason for Gravano's move was generally similar to the story Luca offered to Tattaglia; because of certain blood relationships with the Colombo Family, Gravano was being blocked from advancement he had earned. And in Gravano's case, the situation was recognized beforehand in the Colombo Family, that he was getting screwed; and so some very high people in the Colombo Family approved Gravano's move in advance.

Now there's no way Puzo could have used Gravano's story as an inspiration for Luca's, because that didn't happen until after The Godfather was published. But still, it makes you wonder how often people do move between Mafia families like that. And it does certainly suggest that Mafia families ultimately don't expect their members' loyalties to be absolute toward a specific family, but perhaps only to La Cosa Nostra as a whole; and it's worth mentioning that in real life, when Family X wants to open the books and promote a guy to "made man" status, they must get the approval of the other Families to do it. So, putting aside the fact that we're talking about Luca Brasi here, in general the story he approached Tattaglia with is not an unreasonable one.

(CONTINUED)

There are two different versions of Luca Brasi in the book. In the early chapters, including the business with Sollozzo and Bruno, he comes off as a dangerous but quite sane man. He lives with some distant relatives, which he likes because it gives him something of a family life. He has a pleasant enough relationship with Bruno. He has buddies he gambles with. He dates girls. Yes, he's exceptionally talented; he can kill without any help. Yes, he has enormous respect for and fear of Vito. But those things are all attributes common to other characters, just taken to a greater degree. Paulie Gatto is quite talented (he's Clemenza's special protege); Luca is more talented. Nazorine loves Vito, and both he and Bonasera fear him; Luca more so. Yes, his physical appearance is intimidating, but the Family certainly has others of whom that could be said.

We do hear two stories about Luca. One is that he was with Vito when he met with Les Halley to force him to release Johnny Fontane from his contract, Luca accompanied him; but it was Vito who held the gun to Halley's head. The other one we hear but don't hear, that there's some story about Luca that's so scary no one ever talks about it ... which on its own could mean almost anything.

Any pathology? Tessio observes that Luca is "very touchy." His love and fear of Vito are beyond what others feel toward him. In a world of violent and dangerous people, he's more so than most. None of that's enough to justify sending him to the therapist's couch. And in Chapter 7, describing Luca's dealings with Bruno and Sollozzo, including his own inner thoughts, he's certainly calm and rational.

Between their learning that Vito was shot, but before they learn Luca is dead, the inner circle's conversations about Luca essentially revolve around these points: (1) When Luca checks in we'll have the upper hand. (2) Why haven't we heard from Luca? (3) If Luca has flipped we're in real trouble.