A very quick read that covers some familiar territory – aspiring writer comes to LA in the thirties only to find heart ache and disappointment. Even though this is familiar territory Fante leads the plot to unpredictable places, never sensationalizing or pulling heart strings. The writing is unadorned and frank.
Bukowski was a huge fan claiming “Fante was my God”, and many people claim his work is misogynistic, but take a read for yourself. This is the first Fante book I have read, many live by Ask the Dust.
But what do you think?