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Wait Until Spring, Bandini

Book 1 in the series:The Saga of Arturo Bandini

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'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.

Characters:

Characters are reflective of immigrant stereotypes yet display relatable struggles and growth, particularly young Arturo navigating adolescence.

Writing/Prose:

The writing has a lyrical quality with a blend of simplicity and depth, providing emotional honesty while revealing character complexities.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative centers on the struggles of the Bandini family, particularly through the lens of young Arturo, amid themes of poverty and personal desires.

Setting:

The setting is a small Colorado town, illustrating the challenges faced by an immigrant family in a tough economic period.

Pacing:

The pacing offers a mix of reflective and engaging moments, providing insight into character experiences and growth.
He came along, kicking the deep 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 h...

Notes:

The novel is set in a fictional Colorado town called Rocklin.
It tells the story of a poor Italian immigrant family, the Bandinis, living in the early 1930s.
The father, Svevo, is an immigrant and bricklayer struggling to support his family while dealing with gambling and alcohol.
Maria, Svevo's wife, is deeply Catholic and faces tension with her mother-in-law.
The Bandini family includes three boys: Arturo, August, and Federico, who often fight and compete with each other.
Arturo, the eldest, dreams of being a baseball player and has a crush on a girl named Rosa.
The book explores themes like Catholicism, poverty, racism, sexuality, and family dynamics.
John Fante's writing style is described as lyrical yet brutally honest and often includes humor.
The novel is considered a coming-of-age story for Arturo, navigating his desires and Catholic upbringing.
Charles Bukowski, a fellow writer, admired Fante and recommended him as an influential author.
The book received mixed reviews, with some praising its emotional depth while others criticized its lack of plot.
Fante's character Arturo Bandini appears in several of his works, notably in 'Ask the Dust'.
Readers often draw parallels between Fante's works and those of authors like Henry James.

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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