| Title |
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
(A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream) |
| Author |
Hunter S. Thompson |
| Theme/Genre |
Fiction |
| Synopsis |
“Dr. Duke” (Hunter S. Thompson) and his “Attorney” (“Doctor Gonzo”) travel to Las Vegas in a convertible Cadillac in a mire of illegal drug intoxication. They carry a virtual third-world supply of every illegal drug imaginable (a supply that in a matter of days is all but exhausted). All of their activities (and non activities) are accompanied by super-binge levels of drug use. I suppose even regular drug users who have an attention span long enough to read this book would be shocked at the level of drug use described. The reader feels intoxicated right along with the narrator because of the vivid imagery and ludicrous perceptions of the two characters.
Ostensibly the purpose of the trip to Las Vegas is to complete a journalistic story covering the Mint 400 (Duke is a ‘doctor of journalism’). The Mint 400 is a sort of desert motorcycle race slash dirt and drugs derby. Their plans to cover the Mint 400 however quickly dissolve and the real intent of the Vegas stay becomes infiltration of the National District Attorney’s Council on Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. This ‘infiltration’ is tantamount to simply being a part of the conference—standing in the conference hall with name badges declaring themselves as law enforcement—while being completely and totally stoned. The hall is of course packed with police officers and district attorneys from all over the country. These incredible circumstances make for some very funny interactions. Thompson here uses these juxtapositions as a platform for social commentary as well.
It turns out that covering the Mint 400 and infiltrating the drug conference were really marginal in importance. What Duke and the attorney were truly doing in Vegas was looking for the American Dream. Whether or not they find the American Dream is a decision of the reader.
But before the end of it all, both Duke and his attorney have numerous, hilarious ‘close calls’ with police, hotel security, tourists, and just about everyone they stagger into—surprisingly their ‘getaways’ are all rather believable, even given the circumstances of their drug induced stupors. In the end they both make it back Los Angeles (and live happily ever after) even though they have learned, it seems, that the American Dream has either A). been long gone for years, or B). just is the very state of living that they had enjoyed over their Vegas excursion. Or perhaps there is a third option.
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| Characters |
- Doctor Duke
- a.k.a. Raoul Duke, a.k.a. Hunter S. Thompson. Drug addict with a degree (supposedly) in journalism. Duke's true occupation (if any) is never really established.
- Doctor Gonzo
- (supposedly) Duke's attorney. whether or not he's an actual attorney is never made clear.
|
| Personal Notes |
This book is extremely funny at certain points. I wouldn't go so far as to say that this book lacks any real 'message', but beyond merely showing the futility of the 'drug war' and demonstrating the general ignorance of commoners to the world of illegal drug use, I can't see much more than a well told, and very entertaining story. |
| Publisher |
Vintage Books; a division of Random House Books |
| Date of Publication |
1971 |
| Sample Quotes |
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| Rating |
4 STARS |