Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was an interesting and challenging book. I wouldn't say that I enjoyed the book, however, I did enjoy the challenge that the book posed in reading it. Thompson's look at the drug culture of the late 60's and early 70's made for a difficult read as much of the book seemed to flow out of the mind of a person whose brain seemed to be in the firm grasp of a permanent bad acid trip. The narrative was "sketchy" and "spotty". The story continuously digressed to possible future hallucinations due to his constant paranoia. The constant flash forwards disrupted the flow of the story and made it less enjoyable in my opinion. The protagonist was also difficult to relate to. His motives and behaviors were difficult to understand and his actions seemed unrealistic and forced at times.
One aspect of the book that I enjoyed was learning about all the different drugs. I was drug naive before I read Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I had no idea that there were so many different drugs and that one person could do so many and still function somewhat. Much of the book read as an encyclopedia entry on different drugs and drug use. I also enjoyed how some parts seemed to glorify drug use and then immediately showed the ugly downside to drug abuse. The book took the mystery out of drug use by showing the consequences of drug use.
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I agree that the book was a challenge to read; however it was not one that I enjoyed. I found my self having to reread parts to many times, to understand it, that the whole made no sense to me. I do see how the description of the different drugs could be interesting, but the whole thing just scared me. I have teenage children and I worry that I won't know if they are taking drugs because they could still function.
ReplyDeleteI also found the most interesting part of the book to be the drug use. As a college student I thought I knew at least most of the drugs out there till I read this book. I never knew there were so many illegal substances out there to alter a person's sense of reality. I also used the book as an encyclopedia to drugs. I have read some autobiographies by famous rock stars for entertainment, but even Ozzy had nothing on Dr Gonzo and Raoul Duke. I was just personally impressed that by combining uppers and downers you could be high as a kite, yet still function. Just impressive.
ReplyDelete@Bobbi: The book is supposed to scare you, terrorize actually. Isn't that what Thompson and his attorney did to all the people around them? Thompson wants to shake you out of complacency. Be afraid. Be so afraid that you DO something.
ReplyDelete@Zach: I think it's also important to note that not ALL of the drugs they were taking were illegal. The same is true today. People can always find legal ways to get high. I doubt there's a law against smoking a light bulb, but Thompson did that, in the film version anyway. I remember a kid in my 6th grade class sniffing markers till the teacher noticed and shoved him outside for fresh air. And let's not forget about "the choking game," which can be far more dangerous than any drug and is being practiced by kids as young as 7. My daughter's school sent home a note informing parents about it when she was in 2nd grade! I couldn't believe it.
I agree the constant wavering between "reality" and the hallucinations made the story hard to follow. However, I find this book to be an interesting example of how being able to see beyond what's in front of us and interpret our societal flaws can lead us to feel inwardly tortured.
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