He had a terrifying lust for work and bitter squint at the sun which, in his view, moved too fast across the sky. To finish a job brought him deep sadness. His love for stone was a pleasure more fulfilling than his passion for gambling, or wine, women .... He wanted a wall to build — that was it. He didn't care what wall it was, but let it be a wall that brought respect from his friends, who know he was abroad in the world, a workingman, a builder.
John Fante, In The Brotherhood of the Grape