Ask The Dust

Ask the Dust is a semi-autobiographical novel by John Fante, published in 1939. It follows Arturo Bandini, a young Italian-American aspiring writer struggling to survive in Depression-era Los Angeles. The novel explores his passionate, tumultuous relationship with Camilla Lopez, a Mexican waitress, as they navigate ambition, identity, love, and loneliness. Through vivid, poetic descriptions of Los Angeles—its dusty streets, seedy hotels, and gritty atmosphere—Fante captures the desperation and hope of the immigrant experience. The novel has become a classic in American literature, particularly influential in the genre of urban realism, and is celebrated for its raw portrayal of artistic struggle and cultural alienation.