JOHN FANTE — WAIT UNTIL SPRING, BANDINI / ASK THE DUST

John Fante Wait Until Spring Bandini Ask the Dust

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Had a little rollercoaster ride with my double-shot of John Fante this spring. Loved Bandini — read like a sadder, more adult version of A Christmas Story… and there’s no reason you would be aware of the importance I give to A Christmas Story as a throbbing heart and crossroads for American storytelling (yes, beyond just cinema), but now that you’re aware, well, it’s high praise. We’re talking about the Great Depression, shaggy dog tales that are funny and a little mean, a real and clear transmission of the good times in the bad. Bukowski loved John Fante and wrote a jacket copy blurb for the edition I bought and read. Satisfied customer. 

Then I read Ask the Dusk and couldn’t stand it. Pouty, juvenile, self-important… I WANNA SPEAK TO THE MANAGER! 

Read May 2022

Benjamin DeVriesjohn fante, ask the dust, wait until spring bandini, currently reading, literature, beat literature, american literature