Member-only story

The Life and Times of Hunter S. Thompson: A Literary Gonzo Pioneer

Jayson Powell

·7.7k Followers· Follow

Published in Outlaw Journalist: The Life And Times Of Hunter S Thompson

5 min read · 2 weeks before

1.4k View Claps

73 Respond

Save

Listen

Outlaw Journalist: The Life and Times of Hunter S. Thompson

by William McKeen

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5221 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	463 pages

Hunter Stockton Thompson (July 18, 1937 – February 20, 2005) was an American journalist and author, best known for his gonzo journalism style, in which he inserted himself into the stories he covered, often using a first-person narrative and a heavily stylized, drug-infused writing style.

Thompson's work has been praised for its originality, humor, and insight, but it has also been criticized for its drug use, violence, and misogyny. Nevertheless, Thompson is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential writers of the 20th century.

Early Life and Career

Hunter S. Thompson was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on July 18, 1937. His father was a lawyer and his mother was a social worker. Thompson's parents divorced when he was a child, and he was raised by his mother and stepfather.

Thompson attended the University of Kentucky but dropped out after a few years. He then worked a variety of jobs, including reporter for a local newspaper and bartender. In 1960, Thompson published his first novel, The Rum Diary, which was based on his experiences as a journalist in Puerto Rico.

Gonzo Journalism

In the 1960s, Thompson began to develop his gonzo journalism style. In this style, Thompson inserted himself into the stories he covered, often using a first-person narrative and a heavily stylized, drug-infused writing style.

Thompson's first major gonzo article, "The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved," was published in Scanlan's Monthly in 1970. The article was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Thompson as one of the leading voices of the New Journalism movement.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

In 1971, Thompson published his most famous work, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream. The book is a semi-autobiographical account of Thompson's and his attorney's drug-fueled road trip to Las Vegas to cover the Mint 400 motorcycle race.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was a critical and commercial success, and it has since become a cult classic. The book has been adapted into two films, one in 1998 and one in 2011.

Later Career and Death

Thompson continued to write gonzo journalism throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He published several more books, including The Great Shark Hunt (1979),The Curse of Lono (1981),and Generation of Swine (1988).

Thompson's later work was not as well-received as his earlier work, and he began to withdraw from public life. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on February 20, 2005.

Legacy

Hunter S. Thompson is considered one of the most important and influential writers of the 20th century. His gonzo journalism style revolutionized the way that journalism is written, and his work has inspired generations of writers.

Thompson's work is often praised for its originality, humor, and insight. However, it has also been criticized for its drug use, violence, and misogyny. Nevertheless, Thompson's work remains an important part of American literature, and he is widely regarded as one of the most significant writers of his generation.

Hunter S. Thompson was a literary giant who left an indelible mark on American culture. His gonzo journalism style changed the face of journalism, and his work continues to inspire and provoke readers today.

Outlaw Journalist: The Life and Times of Hunter S. Thompson

by William McKeen

4.5 out of 5