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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
Ridiculous, hilarious, absurdist, this book is one of the most unique and radical of its time. Thompson's odyssey from LA to LV is rollicking, unreal, and exceptionally entertaining. Even though the book lacks of a cohesive "plot," it's understandable since this was originally published in newspapers as a short column about a dirt bike race that spiraled into a drug-fueled frenzy featuring some of the most unhinged first-hand drug accounts ever put to paper. Mixed in with this is a lot of social commentary, such as Thompson's ideas of the hypocrisy of the counterculture movement and the definite hedonism that it sparked up and never left behind, even to this day. One thing I can take away from this novel personally, though, is that sometimes we find ourselves in certain eras of time that are, really, unexplainable with images or words; in short, like Thompson and his attorney during this sprawling adventure, you just had to be there. Quite enjoyable and wholly deranged.
A wild ride. Not my typical read so I was a bit slower on this (and moving houses throughout).
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
It’s essentially just a narcissists drug-induced diary entry that includes every slur you can think of.
I don’t get the appeal, it took me a month to read a 200 page book so that says it all really.
I don’t get the appeal, it took me a month to read a 200 page book so that says it all really.
3.5 stars rounded up. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Having seen the movie, I expected a drug-fueled, masturbatory elegy from a sad white dude. It was certainly part that. But the real surprise (which I don’t think the movie did justice) was the critique of the “rags-to-riches” American mythos, the war on drugs, drug culture (yes, Thompson is critical of the naysayers and the believers), and the Nixon administration. I also found myself laughing out loud at several moments and loved Ralph Steadman’s illustrations. Thompson’s depiction of the cops at the illegal drug conference was so funny and Steadman’s illustration of all the cops was ☠️.
I did not like the racial slurs or the epithets directed at gay and lesbian people. This book is definitely outdated and a product of its time. For someone like Thompson (who claims to be so progressive) to use this sort of language just made his message less powerful, like only certain people will be able to take advantage of the change he so desperately wants, which is exactly the problem with existing structures.
I did not like the racial slurs or the epithets directed at gay and lesbian people. This book is definitely outdated and a product of its time. For someone like Thompson (who claims to be so progressive) to use this sort of language just made his message less powerful, like only certain people will be able to take advantage of the change he so desperately wants, which is exactly the problem with existing structures.
dark
funny
fast-paced