Not the John Fante These Children Knew

As the trustees of the John Fante estate, we are deeply troubled by the many misrepresentations in J.R. Moehringer’s article (“Where Father Ends and Son Begins,” The Generations Issue, April 30). Our primary concern pertains to the depiction of our father, John Fante, as a raging alcoholic. He was not an alcoholic, nor was he raging. He did drink on occasion and was somewhat moody at times, but the depiction of him in the article is pure fiction and is simply wrong.

He has an active and flourishing literary career 23 years after his death, and to taint his image erroneously is irresponsible journalism. He was a good man. A great dad. It doesn’t make for a great story, but it’s the truth.

Jim Fante and Victoria Fante Cohen

Via the Internet

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I want to congratulate The Times and Moehringer for the article about me and my father, John Fante.

John Fante, the man, and his writing career have been widely misunderstood. Not now. Moehringer’s thoroughness, good writing and dogged attention to detail have set a high standard in journalism.

Dan Fante

Via the Internet