Hunter S. Thompson (author of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) always wanted to be a novelist, more so than a journalist, initially. His passion for writing was fuelled by a love of story telling. It isn’t surprising when you consider Thompson’s approach and writing-style in journalism - the form of media he has probably contributed to the most, at least in quantity of material. His self-pioneered ‘gonzo journalism’ did indeed become a form of written-reporting that resembled prose, including a first-person narrative that sometimes had snippets of fiction, that placed him at the heart of the action, and not just as a casual observer-reporter.
But no matter how much it is analysed, one thing’s for certain – Thompson told a good story. Many of his journalistic pieces (The Kentucky Derby…, The Great Shark Hunt) have had a huge literary impact, and to read them is to understand and appreciate their place in literature, through great journalism, but also great story telling.
Young Hunter Thompson
It was the late fifties, and Hunter S. Thompson was only twenty-two-years-old when he wrote The Rum Diary. It tells the story of an American journalist, Paul Kemp, who travels to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to work on an English newspaper, The Daily News. He experiences a mixture of a fun summer holiday, and life as a reporter working in the scorching heat, never knowing what the next hour will bring, as the paper threatens to fold, and unspoken lusts fill his booze-addled world.
One theme in The Rum Diary is that of the nagging inevitability of getting older and reassessing life-choices. The character Kemp often talks about change and how things are slowing down, yet, it doesn’t seem to bother him. Although at times it seems he is in limbo, he quickly snaps back and forth between confident decisions either way.
An Exciting Prose and Narrative
Much of the story has an unsteady and unpredictable pace. Kemp and his fellow journalists manage to keep the News running (the superiors do so with blood and tears). And alongside and in-between newspaper assignments there are episodes of dance parties gone too far, violence and drunken riots, and running storylines of abuse, jealousy, and unfaithful misbehaviour. And the intoxicant of choice, consistent throughout the novel, is Rum!
The Rum Diary is recognizably early Thompson prose. It has his signature style of fast-paced and straight-pointed narrative, and is colourful and thought-provoking. The character Paul Kemp takes you along for the ride, and the descriptions of this hot Caribbean island where unease and threats hang in the atmosphere are skilfully detailed.
For having been written by someone so young, The Rum Diary is an impressive work. But it does have its own merit as a compelling story. It is easy to digest, the text simply flows, and the book doesn’t drag into boring and unnecessary territory.
Originally Rejected – Now Embraced
Hunter S. Thompson was an unknown writer at the time he completed The Rum Diary, in the early 60s. He said the book ‘bounced about seven times – I got the standard list of rejection letters – and I came back from South America and got into the politics of 60s and 70s, and it was a full time job.’ So his novel was rejected and remained unpublished. Forty years later, in 1998, now being the great Hunter S. Thompson, sure enough, the decision of publication was not really a decision at all. It was the only concluding option.
The Rum Diary Film With Johnny Depp
The Rum Diary is a gripping and entertaining read. A film adaptation is currently in production. Thompson’s (RIP) friend Johnny Depp is to perform the main-role, Paul Kemp.
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