[quote=Danito]
I don't think Barzini was being portrayed as "just another ordinary guest." In fact, I think FFC went out of his way to show us that Barzini was a bigtime Mafia guy and potential rival. Barzini was the only guest, other than Johnny Fontane, that Vito was shown greeting personally. His title, "Don Barzini," tells us loud and clear that he's a fellow Mafia Don.
I never ever knew what a "don" was until I read the novel, when it first came out, and had to ask an Italian friend of mine.
