Strolling in search of his roots

A 50-year-old man discovers his roots. Yesterday morning Dan Fante toured Torricella Peligna, accompanied by mayor Davide Piccoli and the Fanteria (an association of his father John's enthusiastic fans).

Every house, every stone was a discovery. The house of the famous Torricellans, the house of his grandfather Nick - or better the house that is supposed to be Nick Fante's, since he left the in the early 20th century - and the churches. Dan said hello to everybody he met in the streets, he embraced everyone who approached him.

A journey through his history, the joy of visiting the places described by his father John from indirect recollections (actually his grandfather's memories, since John never saw Torricella). A peal of laughter when he was shown the statue of San Rocco with dog. His father's dog, a bull-terrier mentioned by John in a number of tales (and with a prominent role also in Dan's own "Angeli a pezzi"), was really named Rocco, and now Dan realized the origin of the name.

"Angeli a pezzi" (212 pages, published by Marcos y Marcos) tells of John Fante's last days and the son's journey to get out of alcoholism. A rough, strong, magnificently written story that fascinates its readers.