John Fante 1 Jan 1939

Ask the Dust

Book written by John Fante

Second book from a series about Arturo Bandini. Bandini is a poor, young writer living in a residential hotel in Los Angeles. While struggling with his catholic past and his profession he falls in love with a waitress, Camilla Lopez.

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Book cover of "Ask the Dust" - Downtown Los Angeles, the neighborhood in which the main character of "Ask the Dust" is renting a hotel room and struggling to become a writer. Book cover of "Ask the Dust" Book cover of "Ask the Dust"

Arturo Bandini is a struggling writer living in a residential hotel in Bunker Hill, a rundown section of Downtown Los Angeles. The checks that his poor parents send him are just enough to pay for oranges. The only short story he wrote that was ever published, "The Little Dog Laughed", does not impress anyone in his boarding house except for one 14-year-old girl. He uses a copy of this story to get the attention of Camilla Lopez, a waitress in the Columbia Buffet for which he initially feels a strong dislike.

After their first meeting Bandini falls in love with Lopez, who is herself in love with co-worker Sam. Sam also wants to make it as a writer and seeks Bandini's help. He despises Camilla and tells Bandini that he shouldn't treat her so well if he wants to win her over. Bandini struggles with poverty, his Catholic guilt, and with his love for a withering Camilla. Bandini takes his distance, working hard on his first novel. When he is almost finished Camilla knocks on his door.