I'd agree on the 'Hollywood v. Organized Crime' parallel theory. Some of the most interesting parts of the book depict this beautifully.

After Khartoum is killed, a good chunk is devoted to what's going on in Woltz's mind...what would posess Corleone to do such a thing, what his message was, what would be the result if he continued to refuse to give Fontaine the part in the picture. As the story continues we see MUCH intertwining of the two worlds with regard to the continuing careers/lives of Johnny and others. Even the Lucy/Dr. Jules story which at the surface I could've done without...contains some very intricate background that most definitely intertwines with the Corleone world.

I won't go into detail because VitoIsntDead will probably end up reading the book (without anybody having to give it to him). Suffice to say that Puzo was sharing much more than sordid Hollywood tidbits he learned along the way.

Apple