John Fante Quotes

A collection of quotes by John Fante.

John Fante (1909-1983) was an Italian-American author and screenwriter known for his raw and poignant depictions of working-class life in Los Angeles. He was born on April 8, 1909, in Denver, Colorado, to Italian immigrant parents. Fante grew up in a predominantly Italian neighborhood, which heavily influenced his writing.

Despite facing financial struggles and familial opposition, Fante pursued his passion for writing and attended the University of Colorado. He later moved to California to pursue a career in Hollywood as a screenwriter. Although he achieved some success and worked on several films, his dreams of becoming a renowned screenwriter were never fully realized.

In the 1930s, Fante began focusing on his true love, writing novels and short stories. He gained recognition for his works such as "Ask the Dust" (1939), a semi-autobiographical novel about a struggling writer in Los Angeles, and "Wait Until Spring, Bandini" (1938), which explored themes of family, identity, and the immigrant experience.

Fante's writing style was characterized by his vulnerability, humor, and gritty realism. He often delved into themes of poverty, hopelessness, and the American dream. Despite his talent, Fante's work remained relatively underappreciated during his lifetime.

However, in the 1980s, his work experienced a resurgence of popularity, thanks in large part to Charles Bukowski, who championed Fante as an influential writer. Today, John Fante is regarded as an important figure in American literature, admired for his insightful portrayal of the human condition and his ability to capture the struggles of the working class.