46 pages • 1 hour read
Ask The Dust
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Book Brief
192
Novel • Fiction
Los Angeles, California • 1930s
1939
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Ask the Dust follows aspiring writer Arturo Bandini as he moves to 1930s Los Angeles to launch his career. Struggling with financial difficulties and personal insecurities, Arturo becomes infatuated with waitress Camilla Lopez, leading to a tumultuous, passionate relationship. Over time, Arturo's pursuit of literary success and deeper emotional experiences intersect with themes of love, identity, and personal turmoil. This book includes themes of sexual experience, substance use, and mental health challenges.
Gritty
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
37,007 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Ask The Dust by John Fante is often celebrated for its evocative prose and raw depiction of 1930s Los Angeles. Critics appreciate its intense emotional landscape and authentic voice. However, some feel the protagonist's erratic behavior and occasional misogyny detract from the narrative. Overall, the novel remains a poignant exploration of ambition and identity.
Who Should Read Ask The Dust?
A reader who would enjoy John Fante’s Ask The Dust is likely drawn to gritty, existential tales of struggling writers. Admirers of Charles Bukowski’s Post Office or Jack Kerouac’s On the Road will appreciate its raw, poignant exploration of ambition, love, and disillusionment in 1930s Los Angeles.
37,007 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
192
Novel • Fiction
Los Angeles, California • 1930s
1939
Adult
18+ years
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