Hunter S. Thompson

[Ziggy St. Valentine]

Hunter S. Thompson was a journalist who created a completely original style of journalism called Gonzo Journalism where the reporter basically gets involved so much in their story that they become the central character of their work. This style of writing also usually tends to blur the lines between fact and fiction to emphasize an underlying message and engage the reader.

Has anybody else here read any of his books? I'm currently halfway through his 1st novel 'The Rum Diary' and picked up 'Kingdom Of Fear' the other day. I'm guessing surely at least one person here would have read his most famous book Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas.

[Android]

His book Hells Angels is definitely worth the read. He basically becomes a member, and just hangs out with them. It's a little less Gonzoy, but it's a fascinating look into the controversial gang and what they did and did not do.

[UncleDuck2]

Yeah, read most of his work.
You've got to read 'The great shark hunt', it's a bunch of his articles he wrote for rolling Stone magazine and some sports magazine, can't remember which one.
Especially read in that book 'Fear and Loathing at the Kentucky Derby', 25 pages long, 2 about the derby, 23 about how he and his photographer are looking for his lost wallet.

Also 'Better then sex, confessions of a political junkie' is awesome. It's about how he hates politics, but allways gets involved in them. Then he follow the Bill Clinton presidential campaign.

And did you know his lawyer really existed??? It's awesome :d

[charcoal]

I really don't get Thompson. He's the darling of college students who want to be cool, but honestly I just can't read his stuff without hating the guy.

[The Fetus]

Thompson is a fucking badass. Truly. Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas was awesome... and trippy.

I loved his descriptions on what he did and how he felt. He never egged on a certain scenario, and the story goes smooth, then fucked-up, then smooth, then fucked-up, continually.

[fabz]

I don't think I will ever understand him. His drug induced rants and ravings are something that I can't really relate to.

I get the feeling people read his stuff not because it's good but because it's cool to read about drugs and whatever else he writes about.

[Oofie]

I really don't get Thompson. He's the darling of college students who want to be cool, but honestly I just can't read his stuff without hating the guy.

I kind of agree with you, in that a lot of young people just think it's cool to like him, and therefore everything he wrote is automatically gold in their eyes.

Having said that I quite liked Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Not a particular favourite of mine but enjoyable enough.

[Allen]

I really don't get Thompson. He's the darling of college students who want to be cool, but honestly I just can't read his stuff without hating the guy.

I don't think I will ever understand him. His drug induced rants and ravings are something that I can't really relate to.

I get the feeling people read his stuff not because it's good but because it's cool to read about drugs and whatever else he writes about.

I agree. I am a fan of his works. I dig his writing. But the thing is that he's gotten a major cult following simply because of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, what with the drugs and all, and kids thinking drugs are cool. I like him for his sporadic writing and the feel he brings to his work, not the drug content kids these days dig.

[Ziggy St. Valentine]

I agree. I am a fan of his works. I dig his writing. But the thing is that he's gotten a major cult following simply because of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, what with the drugs and all, and kids thinking drugs are cool. I like him for his sporadic writing and the feel he brings to his work, not the drug content kids these days dig.

This is the reason I like him. Though I did start reading his work after watching the movie adaption of 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' because I hadn't actually heard of him untill then to be honest. Before buying any of his books I did my research to find out who he was, what he wrote about etc etc and I decided to check out some of his works to find out what this 'Gonzo Journalism' was about. I wouldn't have bought any of his books if I thought it was just going to be nonstop drug-fuckery, which would in a sense, be really boring to read about.

[Zanna]

i've only read fear and loathing in las vegas and that was after i saw the movie; both of which i loved. it was just so amazingly different and crazy and confusing to anything i've read, i find it so funny and interesting. not knowing whats real, whats an hallucination and whats just fiction is so stimulating, i mean you're always wondering what the hell is going on and if any of this really did happen. to get to the point i loved fear and loathing and should really get around to reading his other stuff.

[badumpbumpbump]

i've only read fear and loathing in las vegas and that was after i saw the movie; both of which i loved. it was just so amazingly different and crazy and confusing to anything i've read, i find it so funny and interesting. not knowing whats real, whats an hallucination and whats just fiction is so stimulating, i mean you're always wondering what the hell is going on and if any of this really did happen. to get to the point i loved fear and loathing and should really get around to reading his other stuff.

I also decided to read Fear and Loathing after I saw the movie... I actually think the book might be better. The illustrations are pure gold. I'm gonna check out some of his other books.

[Rob]

I really don't get Thompson. He's the darling of college students who want to be cool, but honestly I just can't read his stuff without hating the guy.

Maybe they read him because he's a good author.

[Moseses]

Especially read in that book 'Fear and Loathing at the Kentucky Derby', 25 pages long, 2 about the derby, 23 about how he and his photographer are looking for his lost wallet.


Its called "The kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved"

[Allen]

To be honest, I didn't know who he was before seeing Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. But I've never read Fear and Loathing. I went straight for The Rum Diary. I've yet to read Fear and Loathing, because to me it just seems it has to be a visual experience.

[The Fetus]

To be honest, I didn't know who he was before seeing Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. But I've never read Fear and Loathing. I went straight for The Rum Diary. I've yet to read Fear and Loathing, because to me it just seems it has to be a visual experience.

No, read the book. You can get a better grip on his thoughts and reactions. Trust me.

[charcoal]

Maybe they read him because he's a good author.
And I'm sure some of them do, but he's someone to name-drop. Falls into the Palahniuk camp of being an alright writer who everyone's pounced upon because it sounds cool. And yes, I know I'm cynical.

[UncleDuck2]

Its called "The kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved"


That was the Subtitle of the piece.

And for everybody who's a fan, and everybody who wants to know Hunter S. Thompson, there's something really fascinating coming our way:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxJtzzOx534

[Jammin]

Just so you guys know when hunter s wrote fear and loathing in las vegas he considered it a failed attempt at gonzo journalism because he exaggerated too much which anyone who has done those drugs would know.

[badumpbumpbump]

That was the Subtitle of the piece.

And for everybody who's a fan, and everybody who wants to know Hunter S. Thompson, there's something really fascinating coming our way:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxJtzzOx534

Thanks for posting the trailer.
I'm getting Hell's Angels from the library. Has anyone seen the movie with Bill Murray as Hunter S. Thompson?

[UncleDuck2]

Yeah I did.
It's called 'Where The Buffalo Roam' and it's a great movie if you're really into Thompson.
I even think Bill Murray did a better job then Depp (and Depp is my favourite actor, so that's a big assumption)

[abbey]

Enough about movies.