The Wine of Youth: Selected Stories

Crisp. Subversive. Rebellious. Singular in character....There are many terrific stories here. Stories of abuse, childhood revery, the pangs of despised love, an immigrants song, notions of patricide, old Denver, old LA....I enjoyed the youthful attitude Fante gave me of his Catholic schooling. I loved the heart break of 'A Wife for Dino Rossi', 'The Dreamer,' and the final story 'Helen,...' Did I write I liked the heart break? I was moved by it. There are awe-shucks nuns, brutal fathers, multi-cultural football teams, crazy death rites/funerals, in essence a harshness that never seems to disengage it's realtionship with beauty. I look forward to more Fante.

The first story goes slow but as you get used to it, you ask for more. Wonderful name for a wonderful book.

The Bell didn't Jar for Fante. He wrote like a man on fire, a fire of his own creation, a fire that lit up the sky and said 'Here I am! Take me or cover your eyes!' His stories are nearly flawless, all are great, and some are beyond great: they are burned into us and they are art. 'A Wife for Dino Rossi' is Everyman's Long Day's Journey. 'Home Sweet Home' and 'Hail Mary' drive the reader forward like a speeding locomotive - on Fire. Thank you, Black Sparrow Press for allowing us to warm our hearts and our minds. Thank you, Mr. Fante for never cooling; your sparks have lit a thousand flames.

The first time I've ever read Fante. I will be reading all his works from now on. He is reader freindly and makes you feel as if you're standing there with him as he tells his stories. If you're Catholic or been raised in that environment, you will cry laughing at some of his stories in this book. A fantastic writer that deserves more credit.

As one who reads a good deal of working class literature, I come to the work of John Fante with a sigh of relief. His stories are full of essential humanity, the beauty and laughter along with the pain. In his 1930's tales of American youth he finds the wine of the Mass, the fire of desire, and the love of family. Fante writes with passion and clarity. The bottle is full and waiting.-Larry Smith