The Los Angeles Way

The Road to Los Angeles is part of the Bandini Quartet, which narrates episodes from the story of Arturo Bandini, the author's alter ego. After his father's death, Arturo, at 18, is forced to start working to help support his family. Leading a depressing and routine life, Arturo finds his only "relief" in reading pornographic magazines, an activity censored by his mother and sister, both of whom were raised Christian. This novel introduces Fante's alter ego, Arturo Bandini, who reappears in Wait for Spring, Bandini (1938), Ask the Dust (1939)—both published by José Olympio—and Dreams of Bunker Hill (1982). The 1936 manuscript was discovered among Fante's papers after his death by his widow, Joyce, and can now be included in that short and distinguished list of the most important debut novels by American authors.