Readers learn that rather than being simply a genius, hopelessly addicted to drugs and alcohol, Thompson is a high-minded man, whose rage and drug-taking derive from his clear-sighted understanding of how much better the world - in particular America - could be.
This volume contains the best of his letters from 1955 to 1967 (age 17 to 29) and is, therefore, his first work of non-fiction and the closest thing to true autobiography that will every publish. His books have all been written in gonzo form, usually with him as a central character. Much influenced by Hemingway, George Orwell, Jack Kerouac, Tom Wolfe and Ken Kesey, he is the founder of 'gonzo' journalism, which is essentially injecting fiction into journalism in order to give the reader a truer vision of the subject-matter. Thompson's work includes "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas", "Hell's Angels", "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail" and "Better than Sex". Thompson's recollection of his perception of the 1960s and a portrait of a writer of huge intelligence who is forced to live as an outsider, with rage and humour as the only tools with which to force his way in. I think it is a toss-up whether or not to read this book it hinges on whether or not Thompson interests you.This is Hunter S. I found this book interesting even though I did not understand many of his references. This gritty and real movie was my motivation to try and understand the mind of Hunter S. The primary reason I decided to invest the time to read and attempt to understand this collection of letters was the movie "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas". Looking back, that is too bad and my loss. I vaguely remember people around me considered him a "wacko" but I was too busy with life to examine him and come to a conclusion.
Ironically, Thompson's observations and thoughts 50 years later were right on point. The latter period was when I was slowly becoming aware of this country and the world around me. This record occurred during a time when I was young and oblivious kid and carries thru the start of my military service. This book can be categorized as a stream of consciousness record of a bright, highly opinionated individual.
0 kommentar(er)
