Monday, June 21, 2010
Fear and Loathing
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was different than any other book I have ever read. I thought it was funny telling of reckless weekend that was on a downward spiral from the very start. Even though the author was in a drug induced state and considered unreliable, I was surprised by how much of the weekend was retold and the fact that he remembered explicit details. I know he used a tape recorder to help retell the story and I really liked how the editor had to put a note in the book that they weren’t exactly sure what happened but this is what they have due to the tape recordings, the chapter looks like a play script. I also loved how the characters only lived in the moment. Throughout the whole story they did what they wanted, much of it was wrong but the freedom they exert was exciting. They broke laws and societal rules, some of their antics caused them fear from the law but it didn’t stop them from breaking more rules in even crazier ways. I have to say my favorite part was the drug convention and how out of touch and naive the cops were. My brother is a cop and I found this section hysterical, it was definitely my favorite section.
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This book was also different for me, but I enjoyed the book as a whole. I agree that is was exciting reading their story and how much freedom they seemed to have, and how they didn't care so much about what they did. I like that they lived how they wanted. I also liked the drug convention part, because I really do believe back then that the cops didn't realize exactly what was going on with the drug culture.
ReplyDeleteI thought their living in the moment and having total freedom to do whatever they wanted was hilarious. Thompson was so paranoid it was annoying at times. Other parts when he would act crazy paranoid added to how funny it was. The later parts of the book got kind of sad and showed how drugs only lead to bad things, but then he got away with everything, no leason learned. Sadness. Its too bad that its non-fiction and they really were terrible people.
ReplyDeleteI think the film version clarifies that he wasn't exactly getting away with everything. I do agree with Chrissy about the freedom Thompson exerts. Whether or not we want to face it, we live our everyday lives bound by social conventions, laws, and myriad restrictions placed on us by our families, our jobs, our schools... Thompson was free, in the truest sense of the word that can actually be lived out, I think. He didn't act any certain way because that's what was the expected social norm. He didn't behave any certain way so as not to offend. In fact, his very point is to be offensive, to put people face to face with darkest side of their own natures. Doesn't the beast in us all want out sometimes? To break free from someone or something exerting unwanted control over our lives? Why do we hold back? Social politeness? Fear of going to jail? Or have we been mentally beaten into submission by overbearing government regulations and a public education system that feeds us lies K-12? Do your own research. Textbooks in the public education system only tell you what "they" want you to know how they want you to know it.
ReplyDeleteDarci, what characteristics define a "terrible" person? Should a person be judged by other people's moral codes or by his or her own moral codes?
ReplyDeleteI also thought it was impressive that he remembered so much. Even when he was listening to the tapes back the next day, or whenever he decided to write, he recalled the state of mind he was in as well as his feelings. His recollection of these events are what I found the most realistic.
ReplyDeleteI loved the fact that Thompson was able to just live life in the moment and to the fullest. I would love to do that but not just to the point of being on all those drugs and not really knowing what was going on. I like having my memories at the end of the day.
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