“We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge
of the desert when the drugs began to take hold”
After
receiving an assignment from a major magazine, Raoul Duke, a thinly veiled
version of the author Hunter S. Thompson, sets off to Las Vegas with his
attorney, Doctor Gonzo, a colorful collection of illegal drugs, and a red
convertible to cover the story, and more importantly, to find the American
Dream.
The
story that unfolds is bizarre, humorous and occasionally disturbing yet
incredibly enlightening. To fully understand the implications of Fear andLoathing in Las Vegas one must actually read the novel. It is full of
mildly exaggerated characters and scenes that convey an almost nightmarish
quality. The entire book is in the first person, narrated by Raoul Duke/Hunter
S. Thompson, based on his real life experiences. It is a prime example of why
illegal and controlled substances are illegal and controlled. Readers will be
utterly fascinated and mildly repelled by the events that unfold.
Due
to the books strange and disconcerting nature, I would not recommend Fear
and Loathing in Las Vegas to everyone, but if you feel you can enjoy it's
bizarre and dark sense of humor, I would recommend finding a copy.
Book Review by Maxwell J.
