Considered one of the most important American writers of his generation, alongside Hemingway, Faulkner, and Steinbeck, John Fante is described by Bukowski as the most “damned” storyteller in America. The John Fante Opera Prima Award, established in 2008 to honor the Italian-American writer by valuing and promoting cultural diversity in all of its manifestations, is primarily directed at young writers on the national scene. Now in its 21st edition, the prize has announced its semifinalists, listed alphabetically: Paola Darò (“La finestra del terzo piano”, Piemme); Lucia Fante (“Il privilegio del disastro”, Affiori/Giulio Perrone Editore); Rosita Manuguerra (“Malanima”, Feltrinelli); Luca Mastrantonio (“Piombo e latte”, Bompiani); Francesco Mazza (“Estinzione”, La Nave di Teseo); Elisa Menon (“Guance bianche e rosse”, Einaudi); Marina Zucchelli (“Latte”, Rizzoli). The decision to award a literary prize to a début work and an emerging author is not arbitrary; rather, it is motivated by Fante’s renowned character, Arturo Bandini, the protagonist of several of his most renowned novels: an aspiring writer of Italian descent who is attempting to establish himself in 1930s Los Angeles. The final round of the competition, as well as the associated awards ceremony, are held each year at the “Il Dio Mio Padre” literary festival in Torricella Peligna, the Abruzzo town from where John Fante’s parents emigrated.
News Source: 9Colonne
