"The Road to Los Angeles" by John Fante follows the life of Arturo Gabriel Bandini, a young writer with a narcissistic personality, portrayed as pretentious, lazy, and abrasive. The story delves into Bandini's struggles and failures as he navigates through life with his overactive mind and violent tendencies. The writing style is described as a mix of good and bad, showcasing Fante's potential as a writer but also highlighting the flaws in character development and plot progression.

Characters:

The characters, especially Arturo Bandini, are largely unlikable, with Bandini depicted as narcissistic and mentally unstable.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is descriptively chaotic, reflecting the protagonist's turbulent thoughts. While showing potential, it often feels unpolished.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around Arturo Bandini, a self-absorbed and unlikable young writer. It explores themes of ambition and dissatisfaction without providing redemption, presenting a character who is often abrasive.

Setting:

Set in 1930s Los Angeles, the backdrop highlights the struggles of the Great Depression, contrasting with Bandini's delusions.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick but can feel exhausting due to repetitive themes and the protagonist's one-dimensional nature.

I had a lot of jobs in Los Angeles Harbor because our family was poor and my father was dead. My first job was ditchdigging a short time after I graduated from high school. Every night I couldn’t slee...

Notes:

The Road to Los Angeles was written in 1933 but published posthumously in 1985.

The main character, Arturo Bandini, is described as pretentious, narcissistic, and mentally unstable.

Many readers find Bandini deeply unlikable and abrasive.

The book portrays a dark, gritty version of a young writer's life during the Great Depression.

Fante's style in this novel has been compared to Bukowski's work, indicating his influence on modern writers.

Readers noted that while the book is short, it feels exhausting due to Bandini's one-dimensional character.

The book contains amusing scenes, like a comedic encounter with crabs.

Fante's writing in this book shows his potential, despite the overall negative reception.

Some readers appreciate the novel for its raw exploration of male fantasies and disillusionment.

The character's lack of self-awareness and delusions of grandeur resonate with readers today.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of mental illness, violence, misogyny, and nihilism, which may be disturbing for some readers.

From The Publisher:

I had a lot of jobs in Los Angeles Harbor because our family was poor and my father was dead. My first job was ditchdigging a short time after I graduated from high school. Every night I couldn't sleep from the pain in my back. We were digging an excavation in an empty lot, there wasn't any shade, the sun came straight from a cloudless sky, and I was down in that hole digging with two huskies who dug with a love for it, always laughing and telling jokes, laughing and smoking bitter tobacco.

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The Road to Los Angeles

John Fante

Book 2 in the series:The Saga of Arturo Bandini