Balzac and the Mob

[ellen c]

I have been re-reading Old Goriot and noticed something Vautrin said to Rastignac when he was trying to lead him astray -
At this crisis, I am going to make you an offer which no man would refuse" -
sound familiar to anyone?

[manolia]

It reminds me of the famous quote from the Godfather. And..?

[bazarov]

It reminds me of the famous quote from the Godfather. And..?

You're right! It is from The Godfather,and it appears in two occasions.

1. Michael and Kay were talking about how did Vito managed to free Joey Fontaine from those musicians; he took Luca Brasi with him to visit chief of orcestar and made an made him an offer he cannot refuse: either his brain or his signature will appear on contract:(

2.Fredo asked Michael how he thinks to buy casino from Moe Greene because he doesn't want to sell it and Michael answered that he will make him an offer he cannot refuse. Moe Greene got bullet right through his eye glasses :(

[ellen c]

I am now reading A Harlot High and Low and have just got to the part where the Spanish priest turns out to be none other than Vautrin - the arch criminal and master of disguise!
What a writer this man was - and what do you think of his preference for handsome young men who he helps get cosy with rich, aristocratic women- Balzac was a snob and he would have loved to get into those drawing-rooms but he was not rich, noble or pretty enough - so do you think he was looking for someone to do it for him - in fiction anyway?