Customer Reviews

United States Authors Series: John Fante (Twayne's United States Authors Series)

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Confronted with Fante long ago as a student, a friendly reference librarian directed me again to the familiar and reliable Twayne series; and in this book I found an analysis which really did explain his novels and stories--especially Ask the Dust--with an accessible and intelligent clarity. Before I knew it, I had a new favorite author in my own personal pantheon. Fante has a underestimated place in California's literary canon--I can't help but think the best word for him is "juicy", as if the culture of early Los Angeles was thrown into a food processor, liquified, and drank straight-up. I owe thanks to Kordich for this knowledge. As a result of those days of happy research, I myself am now a Librarian, and this is a book I heartily recommend to students and researchers looking into underappreciated California novelists.
--Douglas Smith

One of the U.S' truly underrated 20th century authors, John Fante created works of deep philosophical magnitude, often using nothing more than a gimpy typewriter and a six-pack of Schlitz. While 99% of his works continue to be ignored among the canon of the era's L.A. street/film noir/detective novel/depression era novelists, his voice proved to be vigorous and earthy, with dark tannins and orange overtones; perfect for a cold winter's hearth or spontaneous family brawl.

Ms. Kordich (as the kids call her) shines a bright and broad lamp to the breadth of his talents, while giving a round and objective view of just what it was that made Mr. Fante the baddest man in the whole downtown. Her understanding of his work is that which could perhaps only come from someone who knows Los Angeles' seedy underbelly as well as its glitzy sheeny overbelly. She has researched his works well, my friend. You be wise to peruse this tome before delving into this integral author's finer works.