TRD #9 Final thoughts...

Over all opinions please...likes...dislikes...and an all important question...what scene do you look forward to seeing in the movie??

I'm looking forward to seeing the Carnival scenes whenever Chenault got slapped or when she was held against her will i was wondering why Paul didn't help her. Although there were quite a few people who could have injured him like Yeamon.

~Louise

I adore this book. Firstly, I tend to be a HST fan so I admit a certain bias to anything he writes. Secondly, I love how brutally honest he is in his writing. I love how the characters are not always necessarily role models or uplifiting, optomistic figures. Sometimes I like the overall "gloom" enveloping the story.

I find his character studies very intriguing. I like how the characters remain enigmas. I like the unanswered questions. You never read about Kemp questioning himself about why he didn't step in when Chenault was in peril or when she was abused by Yeoman. You're left to determine that for yourself. Nothing is spelled out in clear, concise letters. You're left to think about what drives them and their motivation.

I would like to see the altercation with the police and the following scene in prison.

And as much as I am in love with Johnny's acting and find myself hauntingly mesmerized by it. I am eager to see the portrayal of Sala since, for some crazy reason, I seem to be a "fan" of his. Go figure.

I have been waiting (and hoping) for a long time for this film to be made.

I love your answer, JohnnyAngel.
And it seems everyone loves Sala. I wasn't expecting that!

Thanks to Johnny, I know Hunter S. Thompson. Even though I should have been aware of him Back In The Day, I didn't. I wasn't much of a reader then.

This was a wonderful first novel for Hunter. I agree with every word said by William Kennedy on the back cover: "The tools Hunter S. Thompson would use in the years ahead - bizarre wit, mockery without end, redundant excess, supreme self-confidence, the narrative of the wounded meritorious ego, and the idiopathic anger of the righteous outlaw - were all there in his precocious imagination in Sna Juan. There, too, were the beginnings of his future as a masterful American prose stylist."
Prose stylist - this is the draw for me.

I'm actually enjoying the second read through even more. I want to eventually read everything Hunter has written.

I'm looking forward to every scene in the movie. I know I'll go back several times, savoring every second.

Thanks y'all for such honest and heart felt answers!

Thank you, amp. for your kind comment. You are so sweet. I have also enjoyed reading all your posts.

And thank you to everyone for letting me participate. It is kind of intimidating to be a newbie, but you have all been so welcoming!!

We are happy to have you! And remember, everyone was a newbie once. You're not a newbie to our discussions now!

To be honest, I wasn' t that impressed with the novel, but after reading other JDR member's comments, I'm looking at it in a different way. The characters just weren't fleshed out enough for me. Having said that, I really enjoyed the HST documentary that came out a couple years ago as it does give insight into the man. I also enjoyed Fear & Loathing on the Campaign Trail more than this book. For me, Hunter's wit was most evident and entertaining when he was writing about "real" people and events. However, I can't say I hated RD, as it had some very nicely written bits that showed that "in your face" style Hunter had, and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing Johnny in the film.

Thanks so much for everyone that shared your thoughts as you brought up some very good points.

Glad you joined us JohnnyAngel--you're not a newbie anymore!

-Donna

Thanks to all for their thoughts, ideas and interest!! We learn so much when we share ideas!

I agree with Donna in that I feel that HST's "Gonzo" nonfiction books are a better quality than TRD. I look forward to the completed film. Anne r