West of Rome

This is one of the best books I've ever read. So funny and at the same time so sad.

West of Rome is to me, the crowning achievement of Fante's career. The first novella, My Dog Stupid, is the finest exploration of middle age and transition that I have ever had the fortune to course my eyes over. The mixture of unease, revulsion, conflict and love all painted in Fante's unmistakable style creates such longing within the reader that going to the movies for the next year seems an appalling proposition. I recommend this book without hesitation to those who have yet to be exposed to the marvel that is John Fante, and to those who have walked with this writer before. 5 stars.

After reading the classic tale of Arturo Bandini's struggle against the world in "Ask the Dust," I continued to buy Fante novel after Fante novel hoping to find that bellicose charm and straight forward prose that made me laugh out loud. However, 1933 was a Bad Year, Full of Life and Dreams of Bunker Hill did't quite make the cuts. As I read these novels I felt Fante somehow wasn't up to the task of telling the tale all the way through. There wasn't that Bandiniesque immediacy, the unique voice frought with passion and toughness. Well, the first novella in this two novella collection, "My Dog Stupid", has that Ask the Dust magic. Bandini By the Tail. Its Bandini against big dogs, sons in laws, uptight Hollywood lawyers and thankless children. But it isn't without it's heart-warming qualities that shows Fante has mellowed with age like a fine port without losing any of his potency. Always good for a laugh, a smile, a "Hurrah", Fante holds a special place in the American canon. I once said to my wife Graham Greene can write and plot circles around Fante, but if what Emerson said is true that "character is higher than intellect", then no wonder Fante is the guy you want to polish off a bottle with.

Jusr read the first of what I hope to be many Fante books, which was recommended to me by a fellow Bukowski fan. It has been a long time since I laughed out loud reading, and that was a true pleasure. If you like Hem, Bukowski, or any other writer with a gift for a tough, workmanlike line, then Fante is like pudding. The first novella, "My Dog Stupid" introduces the reader to the harrowing family life of an underemployed Hollywood wrtiter in the late 60's--from the slacker son who makes his mother write college essays to the daughter who "runs away" with her surfer boyfriend for a week at a time, returning to pick up wine and fresh towels.This is all viewed from the jaundiced eye of the protaginist, who find himself having to decide between his fantasies of a life in Rome, his newly found stray Akita, and dealing with his harried, embittered wife.Nice stuff.

John Fante was a great writer. I was introduced to his books through Charles Bukowski. I have read most of his available works. West of Rome is a great book. It contains two novellas. The first one My Dog Stupid is a glorious tale. Fante really captures the feeling of Italian Americans in the early part of the 20th Century. Some may not like the ethnicity but to me it lends a heartrending realism to the stories. The reader will probably feel the emotions of the characters as they tackle life problems. (I almost feel like Bill Clinton here: I feel your pain, man) The story revolves around a family with kids finally grown and setting out for life and their parents adapting to the changes. The dog that enters into their life becomes a motif for the changes in their world. It is a beautiful tale. The second story The Orgy is not as good but it is still classic Fante. This is a grossly underrated writer.