Ask the Dust

Rating:
Summary: THANK YOU MR FANTE
Review: This book is probably the best thing I've read this year, simple and powerful.I would like to propose a worldwide campaign to give Mr Fante the credit he deserves.From now on my name is Arturo Bandini. Thank you Mr Fante

Rating:
Summary: It's the honesty Bukowski wasn't capable of
Review: Fante's best work. It's Bukowski's inspiration. It's what's for dinner

Rating:
Summary: A great book, something everyone should encounter!
Review: This was such a good, honest book, that should be required reading for the entire country. You haven't fully lived life until you have read this book. It is a book that everyone can indentify with on different levels. A must read!

Rating:
Summary: I just don't get it.
Review: I read this book because several people with normally very compatible tastes in books with me recommended it. However, after reading this work, I just don't get the huge depth most other readers seem to find in this work. It just seems to me like another detached non-romantical romance that isn't very masterfully written. While the book is very non-assuming & direct, it lacks the substance its reputation carries. Want to read an "Ask The Dust" that's in your face & is a literary masterpiece, try Frank Norris' novel McTeague. Even though I seem to be the only person I know that doesn't really love this book, I don't think my opinion is off. This book doesn't "do" what it's "supposed" to do to me. The author's references to Aurturo Bandini (sp?) seemed more authentic than the exploits of the people in this novel.

Rating:
Summary: brilliant, passionate, beautiful...what else can i say?
Review: A few years ago, I discovered Fante haphazardly strolling the bookstacks at my college library (ironically very similar to charles). The novel was "dreams from bunker hill." That was his last arturo bandini novel but my first in his journeys...it caused the spark that lit my hunger for his novels. "Ask the Dust" is one of my favorite books EVER. It's honest...written in an unpretentious simplistic manner that comes across with complete sincerity. How someone could describe this as boring is beyond me. For the minute i picked it up, it never left my grasps...i held on to it even after i finished reading the last line...laughing and crying my heart out. A bit dramatic, you say? Well, read this novel and you will understand...and forever become a Fantephile.

Rating:
Summary: A boring novel
Review: Despite being a useful piece of literary jigsaw for those interested in the author Charles Bukowski, this book has very little to reccommend it in its own right. It would seem Bukowski took Fante's idea for writing semi-fiction about his own experiences- circumstances, and added a whole lot of decent observation and humour. It does have a good ending but it comes way to late for me.

Rating:
Summary: AMAZING!
Review: Fante is one of the most underrated authors of the 20th century...this is a great work...Fante's style and word choice is superb...

Rating:
Summary: What would the dust say?
Review: I read this book because I like the tragic qualities of C. Bukowski's books; therefore, I assumed I would enjoy the writer who influenced Bukowski. I found Bandini weak and did not sympathize with him. He was his own worst enemy, and he still found it legitimate to moan and groan over his writing, expenses, and love interests. He senselessly degrades people and is perplexed when they do him wrong. Thumbs down.

Rating:
Summary: Arigatou John Fante
Review: I found Fante in the Bukowski's story. I decided to read in English in spite of my rusty language skills. I read at coffee shop in the morning, at lunch time, in my bed, and sometimes with some bottles of Red. This book is a masterpiece. I sympathized to Arturo, I like the man like him, I can understand him and he could understand me. Someone who likes Bukowski would love this book. John fante seized my heart tightly. I need to buy another book shelter for his books. Thank you for Black Sparrow and Amazon.com. I'll order some more Fante's books. ( after I got paid )

Rating:
Summary: Thank You! Mr. John Fante
Review: I felt as if I had lived a life as read this great work on a bus from Phoenix to L.A.. When I finished the last page I tripped over my own jaw while wiping tears from my eyes. If you have ever loved another and were lost in that love you will find yourself in Arturo Bandini.