Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson

⛰ What It’s About

Possibly one of the weirdest, most drug-filled books I have ever read or will read, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegasdescribes Hunter S. Thompson’s time while reporting on a motor race and a police convention in Las Vegas. It is never more than a few pages before Thompson is once more thinking about taking more drugs or feeling the effects of some just taken. From a girl running away from home with dozens of paintings of Barbra Streisand, to cops obsessively intent on cracking down on drugs, to searching for the American Dream, the book examines the American condition in an interesting way. Did I mention drugs?

🔍 How I Discovered It

I originally heard of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas in a high school English class when we were learning about the American Dream, but I only recently decided to give reading the book a shot.

🧠 Thoughts

To describe the book in three words: drug-fuelled chaos.

Initially, I would have given this book three stars, or possibly even two. As I was reading, the book became repetitive. Setting, assignment, take some drugs, hallucinate, do something crazy, repeat. I didn’t understand it and I thought it was boring. But then, I started to think about the contents and hidden behind all of the drug-induced craziness is an interesting commentary on the state of the US. His interactions with all of these troubled people and the conclusion of his search for the American Dream is profound and I think “measures the pulse” of the US at the time really well.

The writing itself, notwithstanding the content, was vivid and enjoyable to read. I often felt like I was sitting next to him in a Las Vegas hotel room while he was going out of his mind. I think that largely stems from the stream-of-consciousness style of writing, where you can sit and absorb his thoughts as they come.

What I Liked About It

This book was unlike any book I’ve ever read. Unwaveringly direct, chaotic, immersive, and all told from the author’s perspective in journalism, this book was supposed to be the first of its kind and I think it really lived up to its reputation.

What I Didn’t Like About It

Somehow the constant chaos started to become repetitive and less interesting, especially towards the end of the book.

🥰 Who Would Like It?

This book is certainly for older, more mature audiences. The amount of drugs alone, not to mention everything else in the book, makes this book not suitable for kids or younger teens.

I think it’s an iconic book from 20th century America that some people would enjoy, but I don’t think it is everyone’s taste.

📚 Related Books

Other books by Hunter S. Thompson include The Rum Diary and Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72 among others. As far as I know at time of writing, there are few other books written by other authors that have a similar style or approach.