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Liked It “His writing style is one that lends itself to actually being there with him. I love how he describes places all over Los Angeles - places I have been driven by or know the area.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“His writing style is one that lends itself to actually being there with him. I love how he describes places all over Los Angeles - places I have been driven by or know the area.”
IamRosebud wrote this review 23 hours ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“How I got through a bachelor's program in English and a graduate program in American Lit without touching John Fante is beyond me (especially considering I did my graduate work in Los Angeles!). Ask the Dust was humurously honest in its portrayal of L.A. life and lifestyle - particularly in regards to class and race relations (everybody in the story wants to be just "American" but each character can't help but exagerate the ethnic heritage of the others). The prose is a beautiful precursor to Salinger and Kerouac; the plot and disillusionment anticipates Nathanael West's Day of the Locust, though, for Fante, writing is still the unthreatened art-form. The unrequited love-triangle between Arturo, Camilla, and Sam was tragic, absurd, and entirely believable. I also enjoyed the subtle, particular detail paid to the seamless yet distinguishable "burroughs" of Los Angeles, including Long Beach, Bunker Hill, and Santa Monica - this honesty to detail was also present as the characters traveled north to Bakersfield and south to Laguna Beach. I will admit that Bandini was a bit of a loose canon - not much explanation for the wild tangents he would run off on, or the angry, almost violent tendencies toward women, and the narration would run equally wild at certain points (as with the description of the earthquake) but the cynicsm and sarcasm are clear, truthful indicators of the period. I think The New York Times had it right when they said: "Either the work of John Fante is unknown to you or it is unforgettable. He was not the kind of writer to leave room in between." Fante had been unknown to me, until he was mentioned in passing by another grad student, in context to a discussion; however, now that I've taken the chance and read my first Fante novel, I am sure it will not be forgotten - and will be succeeded by future experiences with this gritty, poetic American nobody.”
Adam B wrote this review Friday, September 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A pre-Beats classic; a pre-Bukowski classic. Vintage skid row L.A....”
Anthony V wrote this review Friday, September 11 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Overrated. This book was good, but two of my friends claimed it was a masterpiece. Maybe I just loathed the protagonist, Arturo Bandini, so much that it colored my opinion of the novel... My friend Jon, claims it's because he's too much like me. Whatever. Good book with some major flaws.”
Dan G wrote this review Thursday, July 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“One of my all-time favorite books. Fante's dreams, his exuberance, his family baggage, his love of life and language--I connected with this book on so many levels so many years ago. Still do, in that little corner of my own Arturo Bandini heart of hearts. The man could write.”
Peggy H wrote this review Thursday, July 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I don`t know why this book doesn`t get four stars, when I think about it it`s a really, really good book. ”
Stein M wrote this review Thursday, May 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“if you liked bukowski, you will love fante”
teknolovesong wrote this review Wednesday, April 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Like most readers I read this book because Bukowski recommended it in, I think, *Women."
moik wrote this review Saturday, November 22 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I was delighted by this affecting, simple, short book, and subsequently went on to read most of the other available works by Fante. This one is my favorite. It is a portrait of the education of an insecure artist as a young man - struggling in most respects and ultimately becoming a published author. This book is simply beautiful.
This book clearly affected Bukowski and helped him find *his* own style.
A side note - I have selected books randomly from library shelves and read them and have myself found two amazing books (in a sea of uninteresting junk) that I would have otherwise never encountered. I guess that in the era of Amazon.com, where you can read all about the book (from professional reviews to amateur ravings to Amazon.com's AI recommending books based on your browsing patterns), before even seeing the book - the serendipitous approach is less common.
Try this novel and also *Wait Until Spring, Bandini,* and *Road to Los Angeles.* Enchanting books.”
“Heartbreaking...very heartbreaking. I am somewhat mad at myself because I did not know this book belonged to a series of books based on his character Arturo Bandini. Very well written and insightful. A little slow in spots, but worth a read.”
Tanya wrote this review Wednesday, May 7 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is without reservation in my mind the story of every writer boiled down into one person, and for my money the best book about writing ever.
Scott N wrote this review Friday, March 21 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
How's that for hyperbole? But why apologize: Fante doesn't, nor does Bandini, his alter-ego, the only person in modern literature I would consider a swashbuckler. Is that even a real word anymore?
Bandini in L.A., him roaming the streets of downtown Los Angeles, seeing a pretty girl and wondering if it's going to happen with her? and then it doesn't, and Fante's words about a young man's dumb luck are often brash. Often man-first. Whatever. Check the jacket: the book was first published in 1939.
When I came to L.A. the first time, when I wanted to do nothing but write, Bukowski was my idol. But Fante was Bukowski's god. Is that good enough? I bummed around downtown looking for the Columbia Buffet. Did I find it? No, but I knew what John Fante found.
What's the book about? Ask the dust.
The long, lyrical section starting in the middle of Chapter Ten, thru to the end of Chapter twelve, starting with the ladies at the dancehalls and the crooked mouth, to his broken heart, to the woman with the wounds, to the earthquake and the death of his Los Angeles- I have no words to describe. That section is the heart of the book. Read it yourself.
This book is the voice over my shoulder at night when the words won't come out the right way. ”
