86'd

July 13, 2009
Fante continues to follow in the literary footsteps of his famous father, John Fante (Ask the Dust
), with another bruising autobiographical novel about his alter ego, Bruno Dante. When the publication of his short story collection is delayed indefinitely, Dante reluctantly returns to his previous career of L.A. limo driver. His boss, however, first insists that he sober up. He does, and launches into a downward cycle of recovery and inebriation. During his descent, he meets an obnoxious Hollywood producer interested in an adaptation of one of Dante's stories and an Old Hollywood matriarch who might be the key to his salvation. Fante puts Dante though many harrowing moments—waking from a blackout with a gash in his neck; having a spurned lover superglue his penis to his thigh. Like his late father, Fante views life in unsparing fashion, but he seems a little too enamored of his alter ego's downhill trajectory while offering very little insight into the source of Dante's personal demons. The result is a novel that disappointingly titillates more than it illuminates.

September 1, 2009
This fourth novel in the Dante series follows the life of Bruno Dante (based not so loosely on the author) as he negotiates the urban underworld of contemporary Los Angeles. It opens as publication of Dante's short story collection is postponed indefinitely; he then deservedly loses his telemarketing job. He copes with this string of failures and the relentlessly negative voice in his head by relying on a steady diet of alcohol, Vicodin, Xanax, and painkillers. Dante finally lands a job managing the West Coast branch of a limousine service. His good fortune only unhinges him, however, as his drinking binges get worse and his behavior becomes increasingly erratic. Ultimately, he realizes that he must confront his problems or be "86'd for the last time." VERDICT The son of Beat author John Fante ("Ask the Dust") has also published a short story collection and two books of poetry and is a published playwright. His latest will appeal to fans of his literary mentor, Hubert Selby Jr. It's definitely not for readers uncomfortable with a steady stream of expletives and some explicit sex.Douglas Southard, CRA International, Boston

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2009
Bruno Dantes combustible mix of rage and depression is so constant a companion that he names it Jimmy, and to keep Jimmy quiet, Bruno medicates himself with cheap whiskey, Xanax, Halcion, and Vicodin. His life is in near-perpetual free fall. As 86d begins, Bruno has been fired from his telemarketer job, and the publisher of his first book has decided to delay publication for a year. Facing homelessnessand JimmyBruno returns to the limousine-service business he knows and loathes. Megalomaniacal movie-producer clients, bizarrely bent coworkers, and Brunos medications send him hurtling toward jail, or possibly worse. Told in a free-flowing narrative style that features a number of memorable characters, Fantes novel is dark, bleak, gritty, and inventively vulgar. Its also honest, painful, and occasionally tender. At times, Bruno behaves like a rabid dog, but readers who stick with him may find themselves rootingfor the guy in spite of themselves. Fantewho, like his character, spent time as a telemarketer and a limousine driveris the son of novelist John Fante.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)