Ask the Dust by John Fante (L.A. List 1/7)

Like what I do? Feel free to buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/leafbyleaf
Paperback, 192 pages - amzn.to/3CwpH3g
Published 2006 by Ecco (first published 1939)
ISBN: 978-0060822552
Los Angeles Reading List:
kzbin.info/aero/PLECmRx_annwPp85PJTpe3DeLD1I69wVDr
#leafbyleaf #bookreview #johnfante #askthedust #losangeles

[@jameshumphries7272]

Wait Until Spring, Bandini precedes this one. I also have The Brotherhood of the Grape, and almost all of Bukowski's work, all Black Sparrow Press editions. I just love John Fante. Listening to some old Tom Waits compliments his writing for me. Well done as always Chris. Enjoy your trip.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks for the recommendations! This is actually an old video now-I’ve already been on the LA trip. It was incredible. Especially having brunch with Michael Silverblatt and perusing his personal library!

[@TheNegativeOptimist1]

My favourite novel of all time. Funny and tragic in equal measure. Great take and great video. 👍

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! Looking forward to more from Fante.

[@mariabarnes4094]

Congrats on the publication! It's been a few years since I read Ask the Dust. Time to reread it!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy your reread!

[@sventhemoose1218]

I loved the start of the video! Congratulations on the publication!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! I thought that video clip was the perfect mix of random and cheesy.

[@thebigredfish]

One of the few books I've reread and planned to reread again and again. Infectious book. Thanks for the review!!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

🙌🙏

[@chupacabracinema]

Devouring it now. Best novel I’ve read in years.

[@chupacabracinema]

Ask The Dust 💕💖💕

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I need to return to Fante--this was indeed a great novel!

[@harshalbhanarkar]

Thank you for the recommendation and I am definitely reading this book and by the way loved the clip in the beginning 🔥👍

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks! I’m certain you will enjoy it!

[@Misserbi]

I get it -- harm and lies. A harm is unshakable but a lie can be avoided. A lie a person can react to and maybe get upset but direct intended harm is nowhere close to a degree of untruth. Lies point to ego and attitudes but harming another with intent is unacceptable. Not to give a lie a better shake.

[@daytonadane]

I’ve always wanted to read Fante, but just never gotten to him. Your review made me order a copy of Ask the Dusk. Thanks for the inspiration👍

[@LeafbyLeaf]

It's my pleasure! Enjoy Fante!

[@dqan7372]

Congratulations on the KR review. The Carneci book sounds intriguing, but I'll get to Fante first. Saw it when I was looking for something else on my Kindle. Liked the video intro a lot.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy the Fante!

[@quinnskylark]

If you have some extra $$, find "Prologue to Ask the Dust" published by Black Sparrow in 1991. It was supposed to be part of the novel but was excised by an editor. It has much of that Fante magic. Maybe there's a free PDF floating around someplace.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Hey-thanks for the insight!

[@marcelhidalgo1076]

I went to California for the first time too. LA, Cambria, and La Fayette (50 mins outside of SF). I was there in late September.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Awesome! My trip was at the end of August/beginning of September (this video was was recorded before I went). We got around to L.A. and environs, Santa Monica, Palisades, Venice, Long Beach, and Newport Beach.

[@jamessaldariega3011]

thanks for sharing book reviews 💙

[@LeafbyLeaf]

It is truly my pleasure!

[@hunterkillzvs]

Great video as always. Will definitely pick up this book. I have a question not related to the video: what beckett books are those that I see in the background, with his face on in?

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks! That’s the boxed set of Beckett from Grove Atlantic.

[@iamnotjolly5088]

I'm glad it seems you got a lot out of this book! I first read it a few years ago in the midst of college finals week and I'm not sure I got the most out of the reading--I found it somewhat tedious and bland (maybe because I'm from LA?)--but I do agree that the complexity of the two characters' relationship stands out. The scene on the beach is still something I can't get out of my head. You're making me want to dance with the book once more!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Sometimes books hit us at the wrong time. I’ve had this happen plenty. Even books I didn’t care for at all continued to call to me, and when I “danced with them” again, I found it very agreeable. But-then again-sometimes a book just isn’t for us, and that’s perfectly OK. Move on to the next one!

[@timkjazz]

Great choice to see today, my 36th birthday, read him when I was 15 when I read Charles Bukowski was a huge fan of his.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Happy birthday! I turned 37 this past August. I need to revisit The Buk soon. All my best to you!

[@timkjazz]

@@LeafbyLeaf Belated Happy Birthday to you, and thanks!

[@AndalusianIrish]

Congratulations mate!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks!

[@TheChannelofaDisappointedMan]

Ask the Dust is like an L.A. version of Knut Hamsun's Hunger. Equally as good is Wait Until Spring, Bandini.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Hunger--now there's one I need to revisit. I recall reading that in a single sitting in the deep of the night, in thrall. The pride and desperation created a tension that was so moving and resonant. As for Fante, I'll definitely be reading more of his work.

[@marinellamaccagni6951]

Ask the dust is amazing! I've the same book's edition as yours.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Yay! Finally a book you already own! 😁

[@ashulman2008]

Just got back from first trip to la. Griffith observatory and iliad bookstore were highlights

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Nice! The video was created before we went, but the trip is over a month behind us now. Griffith Observatory was awesome! I got to Book Monster in Santa Monica and Skylights Books in downtown L.A. The highlight, of course, was my unexpected brunch with Michael Silverblatt, then a perusal of his personal library. Really amazing place!

[@BooksYouHaventRead]

Seconding the Iliad bookshop. That place is dope

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I hate I missed that one and The Last Bookstore :-( But I am certain there will be a next time!

[@danielkalamaras7252]

I just red this book after bukowski's women book.What a nice read!I love the immediacy on this book! Any similar recommendations please?

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I have only really read Bukowski's poetry, but, from what I know of his prose I'd suggest Henry Miller.

[@danielkalamaras7252]

@@LeafbyLeaf Thank you! Any suggestion for a start book by him?

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I’d start with his most popular Tropic of Cancer.

[@kieselguhrkid3940]

When will you do Gravity's Rainbow and other stuff?

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I am targeting Gravity's Rainbow for my last video of the year (which is FAST approaching). :)

[@trappintrev9711]

excellent review! are all your reviewed LA books on a playlist?

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I am launching them one at a time, and this is the first one. But I will go ahead a create a playlist. Great idea!

[@trappintrev9711]

@@LeafbyLeaf perfect! I'll keep and eye out. thanks for the kind reply and for your excellent reviews!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

My review of West’s “LA book” will be up next week.

[@trappintrev9711]

@@LeafbyLeaf How cool! Thanks so much! I read Miss Lonelyhearts, based on your recommendation and it did not disappoint. It was a beautiful reading experience!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

That’s one of my favorites! Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

[@DocSportello1970]

Does this mean Raymond Chandler's "The Big Sleep" is next? Or Charles Bukowski's "Post Office" and James Cain's "Mildred Pierce"?

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Alas, alas, alas--one has to be unfortunately selective when doing "list" series. These luminaries are sorely missing, but no less worthy.

[@BooksYouHaventRead]

What all is on the full, Chris-curated LA reading list?

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I don’t have the personality to say: “wait and see.” :-) - Fante - West - Ellroy - Babitz - Pynchon - Easton Ellis - Vanessa Place

[@darrelsvids158]

Great channel. But do you have any literary recommendations for people my age group? (I'm 16).

[@LeafbyLeaf]

First of all, be so thankful for being 16! Next, what are your tastes? What are you into? What do you want to learn about the world? I’ll try to make some recommendations.

[@darrelsvids158]

@@LeafbyLeaf I have 9 interests which help me in what I like and what school likes; history, literature, music, art, creative literature, historical literature, fantasy, economics, botany, and that's about it. Recommend me something, please...

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I would say Douglas Hofstadter’s Le ton beau de Marot: In Praise of the Music of Language may be just the feast for a polymath such as yourself!

[@jackseney7906]

Fante's son was an L.A. writer as well wasn't he? And in the same vein at that. I believe I just saw a new re-release of his on the library shelves

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Oh--I didn't realize that!

[@jackseney7906]

Yes indeed Dan Fante, 1944-2015, considered a significant underground writer, author of books with titles like "Mooch" 😄😸

[@jackseney7906]

John's wife Joyce was a writer and editor as well, it ran in the family! Congratulations on your own publication will you be posting a link? 👍

[@lionelbelanger6242]

Travel low while you have tour health. I lived in Europe for 9 years and saw most countries. I visited Morocco, Algiers and Kenya. I have been in all South and Central Americas. I regret not visiting the orient.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thankfully, I have been working for an international company since I was 18. I’ve managed to get to most of Europe and Scandinavia. If all goes well, I will be going to Russia and Australia next year! I, too, hope to get to the orient.

[@marcelhidalgo1076]

Is that intro on Olympic Blvd?

[@LeafbyLeaf]

It’s a little misleading. That is 32nd street on Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach. I only used that footage because it had the fight feel of random and cheesy.

[@marcelhidalgo1076]

@@LeafbyLeaf I like it. Keep using it if you want

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks! It’s on all my LA videos. I’m working on another intro for my 2022 videos.

[@jamesgwarrior1981]

Gonna watch the Collin Farrel movie now? Fante was one of Bukowskis heroes so read a substantial amount of Fante.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I didn’t know about the movie!

[@jamesgwarrior1981]

@@LeafbyLeaf it’s definitely not without its charm and quality. I watch any and all movies with the great works of literature. Really really digging “Dune” right now and “Big Sur” I thought was tremendous. Way better than “On the Road” sadly.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

My last amazing film adaptation experience was with Satantango. But this week I read and then watched Valerie and Her Week of Wondera. Zama will be my next book-film combo.

[@eastcolonycollective]

Thanks for this! I am doing a chapter-chapter reading of the book if anyone is interested

[@LeafbyLeaf]

My pleasure! Happy reading!

[@painbow6528]

Ask The Dusk was enjoyable but it's lightweight compared to 'Hunger' by Hamsun, the book (and writer) that inspired Fante in the first place. Indeed, the title 'Ask The Dusk' is a direct quote from Hamsun. Hunger is about a writer trying to get published whilst trying to pay the rent and find food. It's a far more accomplished piece.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I read Hunger a decade or so ago on a plane to Sweden. What a book indeed! Too bad it wasn’t set in L.A.-then it would’ve made this list. Have you read Growth of the Soil?

[@painbow6528]

@@LeafbyLeaf Not yet. But it's on the shelf. I just finished The Man Without Qualities. That's what brought your channel to my attention.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Let me take this time to apologize for this distracting music in those videos.

[@fakenamerealchungus9851]

When I worked in a Waterstones bookshop in the UK, a sage older man recommended me Hunger in a really unforgettable way. He spoke with urgency, as if I was lucky to hear what he didn't have the time or patience to tell other lost souls, but softly as well. Honestly it wasn't really what he said about the book - which wasn't much - but how he said it that made me excitedly order it in for myself. And then I read it and thought it was fine. Almost completely forgettable, really, if it wasn't for its reputation. My mate, a year or two later, bought me Ask the Dust for my birthday - it was one of her favourite books. I've always admired her taste in music and art, this was one of our first overlaps in literature. It felt like a better version of Hunger, but like the exact same story all over again. What also connects the two in my mind is that Camus' The Outsider feels incredibly similar - I at least got some metaphoric power out of that, even though I wasn't enthusiastic about that book either. I'm extremely tired of the trope set by Hunger already.