SORRY, BUT WHO THE HECK IS HUNTER S THOMSON?

"Fear and loathing in Las Vegas"

Difficult but invigorating read.

Difficult, but invigorating film, too...

Johnny Depp plays H.S. Thomsom brilliantly

Thompson was a rare talent in the field of written commentary and his personal observations about the ugly underneath of American culture and indeed, himself as a product of that culture were both hilariously absurd and wonderfully lucid.

The man was an animal with a human heart and he'll be much missed.

In addition to writing "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail," Hunter S. Thompson invented "gonzo journalism," in which the reporter became an integral part of the story.  He was one of a small group of writers - including Gay Talese, Tom Wolfe and Dominick Dunne - who changed simple reporting into storytelling.  He was a socio-political activist and nature lover, as well as one of the most brilliant sociologists this country has ever had.

He will be missed.

You can't really ask "why?"...it's a marvel that he lasted as long as he did; like Burroughs and Kesey, he managed to score an extra few decades after his greatest self-abuses. Unlike them, he picked the time and place. I kinda wish his family hadn't been visiting at the time, but something must have told him it was time.

I'm glad I never got to meet him; this way he didn't have the chance not to live up to my unreasonable expectations. He wasn't looking too good lately, anyway. His body might have been giving up, or maybe it was the combination of the fun running out and the world going to the dogs. His mind was still fine, though...no last minute lapses into regret, apology, religion, or pontification. And it goes without saying he wouldn't have made a good vegetable.

He was brilliant and crazy, and knew how to have a good time. He was also pretty damn down-to-earth...heritage of his Appalachian origin, maybe, or of his strict and traditional education? Either way, it gave him an edge over the other writers who were at best just brilliant and crazy. Who else in his position could have had a conversation with Nixon about football? Hunter was a Good American, individualistic and boisterous and unwilling to simply watch history unfold.

Who said "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" is difficult? Doesn't seem that way to me. The only thing I ever read of his that gave me trouble was "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail"...and that's just because I was ignorant of the events of the period (being about a year old during the events depicted) and had to do a little history to put the names into perspective. Everything else read like a news flash, albeit one from edge city, full of movement and color and pith.

I'm glad he got to end it with a bullet. The only other fitting end would have been a motorcycle accident, and he was far too good in the saddle for that. Peace in his old age would have been almost impossible, so this is the next best thing.

maani wrote: He was (...), as well as one of the most brilliant sociologists this country has ever had. He will be missed.

brilliant sociologist + present-day society = suicide

'I'd never recommend alcohol, drugs, violence and insanity to anybody, but they've always worked for me'

Rest in peace, Dr. Gonzo

James Lee wrote:   Who said "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" is difficult? Doesn't seem that way to me. The only thing I ever read of his that gave me trouble was "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail"...and that's just because I was ignorant of the events of the period (being about a year old during the events depicted) and had to do a little history to put the names into perspective.

I did James.Actually I said it was a difficult read.I studied Modern American Literature, but that was mainly Hemmingway,Dos Passos et al. It is difficult, as a Brit,to fully understand the subtleties of the slang and idiom he used.He was a truly American Author and as such, reading it could be difficult to a non-native.

Reed Lover wrote: James Lee wrote: Who said "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" is difficult? Doesn't seem that way to me. The only thing I ever read of his that gave me trouble was "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail"...and that's just because I was ignorant of the events of the period (being about a year old during the events depicted) and had to do a little history to put the names into perspective. I did James.Actually I said it was a difficult read.I studied Modern American Literature, but that was mainly Hemmingway,Dos Passos et al. It is difficult, as a Brit,to fully understand the subtleties of the slang and idiom he used.He was a truly American Author and as such, reading it could be difficult to a non-native.

Good point. I keep forgetting there are other cultures on the planet.

"Don't take any guff from these swine."

As a mark of respect I intend to drop a truck load of acid, sit in the bath in my pants and get my freind to throw in a tape player the moment Jefferson Airplanes white rabbit 'peaks'

Anyone fancy an ether binge??

Very sad, i did some reading up on the fellow earlier this year. Im not suprised frankly, but its a great loss to left thinkers around the globe.

by the way, if you havent read the book do it, much better than the movie.