Wait until spring Bandini.
This is the chronologically first book of the Bandini saga, written by John Fante in the 30’s.
It’s a book about a family, an Italian American family living in the snowy Colorado in those recession years. Fresh immigrants in the USA, with kids of all ages, a family with their own identity and heritage but in which each character has its own. The dynamics are harsh, strong and fabulously challenging.
It is the first of the Bandini saga as the adolescent portrayed here, Arturo Bandini, will be the main character of other 3 novels to cover his life. It's a book about values in an almost alien world, it is about struggling to the extreme, it is about preserving yourself while aspiring to the chance the land is said to be able to offer you. It is a book of many things but extremely deeply human. John Fante will bring you inside literally inside the family and its life, you will side and oppose each character, sympathize with their struggle and despite all, you will wish them the best.
This is why you will love this book, it envelops you and won't let you go. John Fante shows he is a master. Unfortunately his books were not well received at the time. The stories he tells may be too alien to too many Americans and too personal to too many immigrants that did not want to be reminded how they or their parents were. He has been rediscovered fortunately.
Take a look and enjoy it
Take a look and enjoy it
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