West of Rome's two novellas, "My Dog Stupid" and "The Orgy," fulfill the promise of their rousing titles. The latter novella opens with virtuoso description: "His name was Frank Gagliano, and he did not believe in God. He was that most singular and startling craftsman of the building trade-a left-handed bricklayer. Like my father, Frank came from Torcella Peligna, a cliff-hugging town in the Abruzzi. Lean as a spider, he wore a leather cap and puttees the year around, and he was so bowlegged a dog could lope between his knees without touching them."
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About the Author
John Fante began writing in 1929 and published his first short story in 1932. His first novel, Wait Until Spring, Bandini, was published in 1938 and was the first of his Arturo Bandini series of novels, which also include The Road to Los Angeles and Ask the Dust. A prolific screenwriter, he was stricken with diabetes in 1955. Complications from the disease brought about his blindness in 1978 and, within two years, the amputation of both legs. He continued to write by dictation to his wife, Joyce, and published Dreams from Bunker Hill, the final installment of the Arturo Bandini series, in 1982. He died on May 8, 1983, at the age of seventy-four.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Paperback
After reading the classic tale of Arturo Bandini's struggle against the world in "Ask the Dust," I continued to buy Fante novel after Fante novel hoping to find that bellicose charm and straight forward prose that made me laugh out loud. However, 1933 was a Bad Year, Full of Life and Dreams of Bunker Hill did't quite make the cuts. As I read these novels I felt Fante somehow wasn't up to the task of telling the tale all the way through. There wasn't that Bandiniesque immediacy, the unique voice frought with passion and toughness. Well, the first novella in this two novella collection, "My Dog Stupid", has that Ask the Dust magic. Bandini By the Tail. Its Bandini against big dogs, sons in laws, uptight Hollywood lawyers and thankless children. But it isn't without it's heart-warming qualities that shows Fante has mellowed with age like a fine port without losing any of his potency. Always good for a laugh, a smile, a "Hurrah", Fante holds a special place in the American canon. I once said to my wife Graham Greene can write and plot circles around Fante, but if what Emerson said is true that "character is higher than intellect", then no wonder Fante is the guy you want to polish off a bottle with.
Format:Paperback
Jusr read the first of what I hope to be many Fante books, which was recommended to me by a fellow Bukowski fan. It has been a long time since I laughed out loud reading, and that was a true pleasure. If you like Hem, Bukowski, or any other writer with a gift for a tough, workmanlike line, then Fante is like pudding.
The first novella, "My Dog Stupid" introduces the reader to the harrowing family life of an underemployed Hollywood wrtiter in the late 60's--from the slacker son who makes his mother write college essays to the daughter who "runs away" with her surfer boyfriend for a week at a time, returning to pick up wine and fresh towels.
This is all viewed from the jaundiced eye of the protaginist, who find himself having to decide between his fantasies of a life in Rome, his newly found stray Akita, and dealing with his harried, embittered wife.
Nice stuff.
By Roger Roger
Format:Paperback
de här berättelser är ganska roliga men jag recommendera att ni börja med arturo bandinis sagor...sen kommer ni inte läsa 'west of rome' och allt blir finare...vad tycker ni om genomgången? tryck 'yes' om det inte hjälpte och 'no' om det var skit häftigt...
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3.9 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
a really great read
John Fante was a great writer. I was introduced to his books through Charles Bukowski. I have read most of his available works. West of Rome is a great book. Read more
Published on Mar 20 2000 by George Schaefer
4.0 out of 5 stars
interesting
this is an interesting tale- whatever your situation in life is, this book makes you feel better due to all the hardships the charecters go thru-
Published on Jun 27 1999
4.0 out of 5 stars
"mon chien stupide"
"Mon chien stupide" means : my stupid dog, is the french title of this book. I loved this book because you really undersand the core of the story at the last page. Read more
Published on Jan 26 1999
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