About John Fante's Ask the dust

[Shiva]

Dear forum readers,

I've been encouraged to read the book named in the thread title, which is "Ask the dust" by John Fante. However, I am aware that it's the third and last book of the Bandini saga.

I would like to know if I can read it without having read the previous books or, by the contrary, I should read the full saga in order to be more contextualised and enjoy the book as much as one can.

Thanks! :smile5:

[Eiseabhal]

Are you sure your sequence is correct? Anyway I assume you have read it by now. Did you enjoy it?

[ennison]

I know nothing about Fante except that he was considered wonderful by Bukowski. I don't rate Bukowski but my young fellow thinks he's great. Hmm. I'm a failure in the transmission of culture.

[Shiva]

Hi, thanks both for your answers.

I still haven't read it since I'm not sure about reading the full saga or just this third book. In the meantime I've read On the road, by Jack Kerouac, which turned out to be an overrated book.

I think I'm going to read it anytime soon, but still not sure.

Are you enjoying your reads? :)

[ennison]

Having consulted with my young fellow, he assures me that what you have is the first book, that a "prequel" was published later. Why he knows such strange things I do not understand. Perhaps it's because he is a vegan. Maybe knowing this you will be more inclined to dive in.

[Shiva]

Thanks for your reply once again, ennison.

I wasn't aware about the fact that it was written before its predecessors.

I will definitely give it a try then :P