mˈɛnɪəv pjˈuːzoʊz kˈæɹɪktɚz ɑːɹ ɛkspˈændᵻd əpˌɑːn, ɪspˈɛʃəli fɹˈiːdoʊ kˈɔːɹlɪˌoʊn, tˈɑːm hˈeɪɡən, ænd dʒˈɑːni fˈɔnteɪn, ænd nˈuː kˈæɹɪktɚz lˈaɪk nˈɪk dʒˈɛɹɐsˌaɪ, dˈæni ʃˈiː, ænd fɹˈæntʃɛskə kˈɔːɹlɪˌoʊn ɑːɹ ˌɪntɹədˈuːst.
Many of Puzo's characters are expanded upon, especially Fredo Corleone, Tom Hagen, and Johnny Fontane, and new characters like Nick Geraci, Danny Shea, and Francesca Corleone are introduced.