John Fante (1909–1983) was the author of many novels, short stories, and screenplays. Born into a poor Italian American family in Colorado, he made his way west to Los Angeles at t...view moreJohn Fante (1909–1983) was the author of many novels, short stories, and screenplays. Born into a poor Italian American family in Colorado, he made his way west to Los Angeles at the start of the Depression. His experiences there would inform his best-known novel Ask the Dust (1939).view less