John Fante

Yep...I've read just about all of them. I've also read Dan Fante's first two novels. John's books are all very similar in style and content for that matter, roughly autobiographical. Same thing for Dan's novels. And Bukowski for that matter. Bukowski liked Fante because he wrote what some call 'working class fiction.' I would say there's alot of that kind of thing around nowadays, but certainly when Fante was writing, and when the Buk found him, it was uncommon.

Thanks Justyn, yes it's very similar territory. I thought Fante's style seemed gentler than Bukowski's but have only read the one book, so a bit early to judge. "Working class fiction" is deceptively easy, and I think some have missed the point. There's more to it than simply knocking off a diary-style account of your misadventures. It takes imagination, self-knowledge and humour to rise above the dross.

Yes, agree with that. Anyone read Patrick MacGill? (Children of the Dead End, etc?)

Actually, what I meant was that Fante's books are all similar to each other, not that they are so similar to Bukowski's, though there is a kind of connection. Fante is definitely gentler than the Buk, but then again, most writers are. I didn't like John Fante's novels all that much. They were ok, but for me nothing special. Dan Fante's novels are much rougher, more like long drunk-a-logs than anything else. Still, you're right that it's not easy to write this autobiographical stuff and make it interesting.

There's a great interview with Dan Fante on www.3ammagazine.com right now I'd also say - just because somebody has to - if you liked 1933 . . . you should rush out - right now!! - and pick up the Canongate reissue of Ask the Dust cos it features Bukowski's short essay on John Fante and - it's a nice piece - more restrained and - more empathetic - than normal . . .

There's another one called something like Springtime for Bandini. They're all very similar. The 'Dust' book has been available for several years. Thanks for the Dan Fante link.

The Bandini books - I've only read Springtime and Dust but there are 4 of them, I think - there is the road to hollywood and dreams from bunker hill - which he wrote when he was blind and legless (Fante had his legs amputated there at the end): part of me is mad keen to read the last Bandini book and part of me thinks it would be deeply depressing. Anybody read the road to hollywood and bunker hill?

I've read one of them, don't know which though. It was probably the hollywood book because it mostly revolved around this guy in a short-term hotel in LA trying to find work. One of those books derived from a lengthy correspondence between Fante and HL Menken, at Menken's suggestion. Just read the interview from the link above. Not bad.

I didn't like the Dan Fante interview. I like his books tho. and his father John's. Ask the Dust is the best one.