Fante
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Review
"[Fante] is frank and funny. Dan does not lionize or demonize his father, nor does he indulge in the self pitying or self gratifying aspects of memoir. Its an achievement in tone and delightful to read."--Carolyn Kellogg, Los Angeles Times
Product Description
As father and son, John and Dan Fante's relationship was characterized by competition, resentment, rages, and extended periods of silence. As men, both were driven to succeed but damaged by often uncontrolled drinking. As writers, both were gifted with unstoppable passion. In "Fante", Dan Fante traces his family's history from the hillsides of Italy to the immigrant neighborhoods of Colorado to Los Angeles. There, John Fante struggled to gain the literary recognition he so badly craved, and after the publication of his best known work, "Ask the Dust" (which was quickly consigned to literary oblivion), he turned to the steady paycheck of screenwriting, working to support his family and enjoy the good life of a well-paid Hollywood writer. We follow Dan through a troubled childhood to his discovery of words and life's vices, through work as a carnival barker and later as he hitchhikes to New York City, where he drives a taxi for seven years. Over time the elder Fante's rages over his perceived failure as a writer and his struggle with debilitating diabetes make him more and more miserable, until, late in life, he rekindles his true voice as a novelist. Meanwhile, Dan battles alcoholic blackouts, repeated suicide attempts and what he considers an unrelenting and murderous mind. John was a writer whose literary contributions were not recognized until the end of his life. Dan was an alcoholic saved by writing, who at the age of 45 picked up his father's old typewriter in order to ease his madness. "Fante" is the story of the evolution of a relationship between father and son who eventually found their way back to loving each other. In straightforward, unapologetic prose, Dan Fante lays bare his family's story from his point of view, with the rage and passion of a true writer, which he feels was his true inheritance and his father's greatest gift.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An extremely well written and thought provoking memoir. If you have an interest in the Fante family and the literary careers of John and Dan Fante, this is a must. Not only does it paint a vivid and honest picture of both talented yet haunted men, but it also provides an insight into an America of damned and dark delights.
If you are intereseted in what it means to be a writer, to fight to write and make it work atop the page and into print, the sacrifices and misplaced sanity and hate and drunken hope, the will and determination and loss of both and self belief and worth, the ups and downs and merry go rounds filled with vomit, the words and wars and love that keeps it somehow beating and repeating, if you want to see something humane and honest and real, read this book.
Learn from the Fante's. Read their work and share it. A genuine classic!
If you are intereseted in what it means to be a writer, to fight to write and make it work atop the page and into print, the sacrifices and misplaced sanity and hate and drunken hope, the will and determination and loss of both and self belief and worth, the ups and downs and merry go rounds filled with vomit, the words and wars and love that keeps it somehow beating and repeating, if you want to see something humane and honest and real, read this book.
Learn from the Fante's. Read their work and share it. A genuine classic!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
8 reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
50's not too late to start writing -- or just keep reading Dan Fante
12 Nov 2011
Format:Paperback
I was already a follower of Mr. Fante's earlier, shorter works, poems, and stories.
Now, arrives this big, powerful, moving book.
It explains so much to me about how this writer and man conquered the oppression of the legacy of a family's success, followed by a chaser of neglect, a double-espresso of anxiety, and a drinking binge...Then, in the dark of morning, lacking sleep, to swallow breakfast, the dry toast of despair.
The re-imagining of one's capabilities, separate from what we are told as children, is exemplified by this inspired and inspiring memoir. The author has reclaimed his own identity, and declared it his own.
In this memoir, a son in the shadows of fate, addiction, despair, becomes a child-man for a very long time. How many of us without famous parents have lived this way? In fear. In sentiment. Taking risks becomes unbearable. To meet defeat one more time, seemingly fatal.
How inspired I am (as one who at mid-life is beginning to write her remembrances) to find a book that brightens my own dusky path. Though great effort, in this case, writing -- writing no matter what -- writing whether or not one's writing is a public "success -- Mr. Fante is at last a man of his own making, standing in sunlight.
If you feel you could never write such a luminous, large story, look back at the baby steps taken by Mr. Fante in his earlier work -- of which I was a follower after being given a book of his poems by a fellow unknown writer (who still writes). Chump Change: A Novel (P.S.)[[ASIN:B004IK9FSQ 86'd: A Novel (P.S.)]
Now, arrives this big, powerful, moving book.
It explains so much to me about how this writer and man conquered the oppression of the legacy of a family's success, followed by a chaser of neglect, a double-espresso of anxiety, and a drinking binge...Then, in the dark of morning, lacking sleep, to swallow breakfast, the dry toast of despair.
The re-imagining of one's capabilities, separate from what we are told as children, is exemplified by this inspired and inspiring memoir. The author has reclaimed his own identity, and declared it his own.
In this memoir, a son in the shadows of fate, addiction, despair, becomes a child-man for a very long time. How many of us without famous parents have lived this way? In fear. In sentiment. Taking risks becomes unbearable. To meet defeat one more time, seemingly fatal.
How inspired I am (as one who at mid-life is beginning to write her remembrances) to find a book that brightens my own dusky path. Though great effort, in this case, writing -- writing no matter what -- writing whether or not one's writing is a public "success -- Mr. Fante is at last a man of his own making, standing in sunlight.
If you feel you could never write such a luminous, large story, look back at the baby steps taken by Mr. Fante in his earlier work -- of which I was a follower after being given a book of his poems by a fellow unknown writer (who still writes). Chump Change: A Novel (P.S.)[[ASIN:B004IK9FSQ 86'd: A Novel (P.S.)]
FANTE
24 Jan 2012
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Again DAN FANTE writes a winner! This time about his family. Many interesting stories than revolve around his relationship with different members of his family. This book is a must for readers who enjoy Dan Fante's ability to paint a picture with his words. For any person who has not read any of Dan's work...you have certainly missed an opportunity for a chance to be entertained! Buy one or more of his books. CHUMP CHANGE, MOOCH, SPITTING OFF TALL BUILDINGS, SHORT DOG and several other books and plays. FANTE is a book that that is a must read! As you can tell, I am a big fan of Dan Fante's work. I know that you will be a big fan too when you read any of his books! Great work Dan! I will look forward to your next book and the book after that!
Survival of inner turmoil
11 Jan 2012
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I could not put this book down once I started, even though I got tired of the sordid life in New York, violent men, thieves,and hustlers. It is an amazing honest and raw story of survival.
I was inspired.
Dan Fante has survived, with his passion for literature and writing, with a deep love for his father, and with his faith in a sober life. I am reading his poetry again....powerful and unique.
I was inspired.
Dan Fante has survived, with his passion for literature and writing, with a deep love for his father, and with his faith in a sober life. I am reading his poetry again....powerful and unique.
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