Chump Change

by Dan Fante

Book Overview

When he finds out his father is in a coma, aspiring writer and part-time drunk Bruno Dante, fresh from the nuthouse, must head to Los Angeles for a fraught family reunion in Dan Fante's Chump Change. Now back in print to coincide with the publication of his new novel, 86'd, Chump Change follows Bruno through the tension and stress of facing his family--and the inevitable, pain-dulling drinking that lands him naked in a stolen car with an underage...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061779245
• ISBN13: 9780061779244
• Release Date: December 2009
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

More please!

Genius, Dan you write what we think but didn't realise we thought, and do things my own insanity never took me to but could have and it is hysterically funny. I am blown away by the magic, insight, humor and genius writing of Mooch and Chump Change. More more!!

Down and Out in L.A.

It becomes harder and harder to find anything good to read these days, the no b.s. real thing--and in Dan Fante's Chump Change I am happy to say that I have discovered a real winner! The man can write. Once it arrived in the mail from SPD and I started reading there was no way to put it down--always a good sign. Powerful tale that rings true and authentic--I know, because I once lived in that hellhole called L.A. No disrespect meant towards his diceased father, the also fine writer John Fante, but the son is even better. The writing is so strong and hard-hitting that I put it right up there with John O'Brien's Leaving Las Vegas (although story is entirely different ); the all out style and way of telling his story places this author in the same unique league as Pleasant Gehman, Charles Bukowski, Clarence Cooper, Jr., Robert Beck (Iceberg Slim) Celine, Nat West, etc. Can't wait to get my hands on Mooch, his latest. To any other book lovers out there, fans of great fiction, who are like me and gave up on the b.s. that is tv and Hollywood flicks a long time ago, I suggest to look up Small Press Distribution or Last Gasp Press for the hard to find well-written gems--as this is how I discovered Dan Fante's Chump Change. Why should it be so difficult for us to find works of art like this book and others like it when so much tripe is out there and placed on bestseller lists by the major publishing houses? you got me there--because I never believe the bestseller lists and never, ever buy anything that is placed right there on tables in the lobby of the major chain stores--because I know it is pure crap, and because it bothers me to know that the true talents like Mr. Dan Fante and others like him have to "sneak in" the back door of publishing by first being published by the smaller indie houses in order to get any recognition at all. So if you can relate to what I'm saying here ignore the junk the big houses are putting out and go for the real thing like this certified modern classic. We loved Chump Change and wish Mr. Fante all the best in the future. Give us more!

my god, this book is AMAZING!!!!

...this book is just one mans truth; brutal, black horrible, and terrifying truth.amazing story telling,wonderful writing,and absolute passion.i stumbled across this book(ironicly)while searching for a(3rd) replacement copy of his fathers classic novel "ask the dust"(i keep forcing my friends to read it and never get it back...go figure).reading this book made me break out in tears many times, the only book to do that, other than ask the dust. i can't praise this book enough! will he write another? i am no literary type...but i know this is one of the most beautiful books i've ever read!

Dan Fante Tells It Straight

If you've ever been on a booze binge, you'll know that Dan Fante is not kidding. Once you've read this book, you'll be thinking about it for the rest of your life. His father may be the one you know, but if its an open outlook on the nineties your after, look no further.

Buckle up - this is a dark ride

John Fante is one of the greats and it looks like his son inherited some of the magic - but none of the lightness of touch. Dan's got problems, at least, his fictional alter-ego, Bruno Dante, does. But boy, when he irons out the creases, he can certainly write. This is devastating stuff, pretty nasty at times, but he really takes you down there, and his old man's dog too. There is a superb sequence where Bruno begs his boss for one more chance - "I'm a vampire!" he cries. Don't bother reading it if you're on a downward slide. Wait 'til you're up again, then dive in.