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John Fante

Ask The Dust

John FanteFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1939

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Book Brief

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John Fante

Ask The Dust

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1939
Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Los Angeles, California • 1930s

Publication Year

1939

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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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

4.1

37,007 ratings

77%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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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 this

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.

4.1

37,007 ratings

77%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Los Angeles, California • 1930s

Publication Year

1939

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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