skip the movie (I did) and get into Depression-era L.A. ( )

I didn't think I'd enjoy this but I did. I liked Arturo's interaction with Camilla. Never knew what would happen next with them. ( )

John Fante writes such gorgeous prose that it doesn't really matter what he writes about. In Ask the Dust his writing alternates between first, second, and third person, often with satisfying results. However, Ask the Dust has little to no plot and the main character, Arturo Bandini, is a childish, emotionally infantile young man that none of the other characters like. And the longer you read Ask the Dust, the more you share their dislike. Bandini is such an unsympathetic character that, ultimately, his actions and worldview cast an unfortunate pall over Fante's admirable style. ( )

The writing in this 1930s Los Angeles novel still takes my breath away. It is a dark but beautifully told story of a struggling young writer in downtown's Bunker Hill. Also check out "Full of Life," a biography of Fante by Stephen Cooper.

This is a great one from Fante. I also read Wait Until Spring Bandini. Ask the Dust is a strong tale that many of us can relate to. ( )

http://www.ilpotereelagloria.com/libr... ( )

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fan... ( )

I joined the Fante fan club a little late but I'm planning on reading all his stuff. This is a beautifully written book and the characters are complex, contemptible and all too fallible. ( )

Down and out not quite in Beverly Hills. Better than Bukowski. ( )