inesantunes's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kingxsyed's review against another edition
5.0
What a sweet book. Really feels like the mind of a fourteen year old with his exaggeration and constant mood changes. Really well written and I would argue that it is better than Ask the Dust (although I like the style in that book more). I really like how the perspective slowly switched from Svevo to Arturo to Maria. You feel for them all. I like how the title coincides with the last segment. Really solid start to the series.
migolas's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
guilhermenoronha's review
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jannne's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
veelaughtland's review against another edition
3.0
This was my first John Fante book, and it was an interesting start to his work. I had originally intended to begin with Ask the Dust, which appealed to me in that it follows a misanthropic writer, but after purchasing the Bandini Quartet, I knew I had to start at the beginning and go in chronological order through the character's life.
For those who like plot-heavy books, this is definitely not for you. Not much happens in this book at all. We follow primarily Arturo (Arthur) Bandini, a poor Italian-American boy living with his two younger brothers, mother, and father in a run-down house where they barely have enough money to feed themselves, sometimes not at all (surviving on 'benevolence' and credit). He goes to school, he moons over the love of his life Rosa, and he has a tumultuous relationship with his father who he both admires and hates, and his mother who he loves but believes is weak.
The characters in this book are not likeable, but they feel very real. The writing is simple (much like Bukowski, who was heavily inspired by Fante) and to the point, and can often be repetitive. If you find the first chapter of this book difficult to get into though, please continue, as this is told from the perspective of the father Svevo and is by far the least interesting chapter of the whole book.
I'm interested to see what the next book in Bandini's chronology will be like (having been published posthumously after Fante's death I believe), but I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how Arturo Bandini's character evolves over his lifetime.
For those who like plot-heavy books, this is definitely not for you. Not much happens in this book at all. We follow primarily Arturo (Arthur) Bandini, a poor Italian-American boy living with his two younger brothers, mother, and father in a run-down house where they barely have enough money to feed themselves, sometimes not at all (surviving on 'benevolence' and credit). He goes to school, he moons over the love of his life Rosa, and he has a tumultuous relationship with his father who he both admires and hates, and his mother who he loves but believes is weak.
The characters in this book are not likeable, but they feel very real. The writing is simple (much like Bukowski, who was heavily inspired by Fante) and to the point, and can often be repetitive. If you find the first chapter of this book difficult to get into though, please continue, as this is told from the perspective of the father Svevo and is by far the least interesting chapter of the whole book.
I'm interested to see what the next book in Bandini's chronology will be like (having been published posthumously after Fante's death I believe), but I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how Arturo Bandini's character evolves over his lifetime.
sburtyboi's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0