Book of the Week

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson

Recommended by Finn Lloyd

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a staple of gonzo journalism written by Hunter S. Thompson and it highlights the impact of drug culture during the 1970s. 

It is commonly seen as Thompson’s most notorious piece of work, and was later adapted into a film, starring Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro, which sparked as much controversy as the book itself. Thompson was known for his ability to write books on the spot such as The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved, normally regarded as the first novel to be described as ‘Gonzo journalism’ by Bill Cardoso. It is also believed that Johnny Depp based his character in the movie on his part as the protagonist in Rango!

There is no way to describe Fear and Loathing of Las Vegas other than brutal, vicious, and drug-fuelled. It is the tale of a long weekend road trip that has gone down in the annals of American pop culture as one of the strangest journeys ever undertaken. Hunter S. Thompson is able to completely realistically demonstrate the harsh reality that is Las Vegas. It is not the Sin City full of wonder that everyone believes it to be, but where sins go to die. The comical, nonsensical tone keeps you laughing and on your toes, and the way the protagonist is able to run wild through casinos and avoid the police whilst intoxicated is truly a sight to see. Even the first line - ‘We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold' - highlights the wacky nature of this rollercoaster of a book.

This is a novel that will polarize any group of readers. It is a book that you either love or hate, there is no in between. It lacks a clear narrative and frequently delves into the surreal, never quite distinguishing between what is real and what is only imagined by the characters, and it brilliantly portrays the raw reality of Gonzo journalism. The decadent, picturesque illustrations by Ralph Steadman throughout the novel highlight the sinful, yet exhilarating lives the protagonist and his companion embark on.

Hunter S. Thompson was a man who was able to try anything, with no remorse or sympathy for others, in an almost psychopathic way, and his personality is plastered throughout the strange yet exciting style in which he writes, as well as through the character and demeanour of the protagonist. He wasn't that cool, and he tried to compensate by being especially crazy: it wouldn’t be a stretch to almost call him a poser, but he was a poser who was comfortable in his own skin, and that’s what makes this book seem so genuine to me. If this book was written by any other author, I wouldn’t have believed it came from their experiences and opinions on life and society, as much as I would have if it were written by Thompson.