Very cool and timely story
fljoe0 ! I enjoyed my first Hunter Thompson story muchly. I really like the Gonzo style he created. I've always enjoyed first person writing, it has that sense of being there that other narrators within a story have to work very hard to relay. It also confuses the hell out of me. I'm ashamed to admit that I had to ask Google if this was a story or an essay. I'm still not sure I know the answer to that.
I grew up not far from Lexington - in Florence, KY. The derby was a big deal. One time my dad and I had to drive somewhere to get my Aunt Debby from her derby mishap. I was young and I just remember she smelled bad.
Though incredibly cruel - the "n word" and the gay bashing didn't phase me - it's not part of MY vocabulary, but it's the South in the 1970 - no big surprise there. It's how it was and still is in some places (and by that - I mean places in the heart - where prejudice lies). I loved Hunter's response by putting his Marlboro into his cigarette holder.
Kentucky whiskey. Is whiskey drinking making a comeback? It seems to be here in Memphis-or is it just the people I run with (and by that I mean the Ogre).
Back to the story - I really like HT's observatory style - people watching as the story. He's witty and crude. Steadman's drawings were too funny - I loved them too
Dana Jean - and they look familiar - have I seen those in Playboys from the 70s? All of this really blurs the lines between story telling and essay writing for me. But that's perfect, right? A very convincing writer, that Hunter Thompson. I'd heard he would be.
So naturally I read up on him and discovered his tragic end. I won't spoil it for anyone who doesn't already know - but sheesh. I'd have been pissed if I was his wife/ex-wife, kids, etc. Almost like he thought it would be a gift to them. And so I wonder - what was he really like.
The story, the writer and the story of the writer have left me intrigued and wanting more. That's the calling card of a truly gifted writer.