
'Wait Until Spring, Bandini' by John Fante is a coming of age story that follows the struggles of Arturo Bandini, a young Italian-American boy torn between his fiery, rebellious nature and his desire to do the right thing, influenced by his Catholic beliefs. Set in a small Colorado town, the novel delves into the lives of an immigrant family, particularly focusing on the dynamics between the father, Svevo, a struggling bricklayer with vices, and the rest of the family. The story revolves around themes of poverty, family conflict, Catholicism, and the aspirations of young Arturo, who dreams of becoming a baseball player.
Fante's writing style in 'Wait Until Spring, Bandini' is praised for its beautiful prose, evocative descriptions, and brutal honesty. The novel is noted for its ability to candidly portray immigrant life in the early 1930s, exploring themes such as Catholicism, racism, pride, and love through alternating points of view. The narrative is said to be richly detailed, emotionally honest, and offers a glimpse into the struggles and passions of the Bandini family, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The content warnings include poverty, emotional abuse, and themes surrounding familial conflict and Catholic guilt, which may be sensitive to some readers.
Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance, primarily revolving around Arturo's clumsy attempts at pursuing a girl and the father's complex relationship with another woman.
From The Publisher:
He came along, kicking the snow. Here was a disgusted man. His name was Svevo Bandini, and he lived three blocks down that street. He was cold and there were holes in his shoes. That morning he had patched the holes on the inside with pieces of cardboard from a macaroni box. The macaroni in that box was not paid for. He had thought of that as he placed the cardboard inside his shoes.
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