Rating: 
Summary: Heavy on the Ice
Review: There are those of us who decide to live our lives in the safe plastic bubble of capitalism. There are others who yearn for adventure and appease their desires by living vicariously. And then, there is a select group of unwavering countrymen who make their way in the world by unleashing whatever forces they may deem necessary. They have merit, and Hunter S. Thompson holds rank. The Rum Diary is novel that delivers this message. We travel with Thompson in Puerto Rica through the midst of dangerous beauty and bile heaving scoundrels. This is Thompson's first novel, from what I understand, and is a true work of art. Once again, he takes us into a world we hardly know and comes back with the story. And, what a story it is. Thompson makes you feel. There is a disturbing section near the end of the book that I continued to go over in my head as I stared out blankly onto the city street. Thank you Hunter.
Rating:
Summary: not much of a reader, but liked the book
Review: Admittedly, I am not much of a reader. It takes me months to finish anything. Unfortunately, I am like many of you, who first heard of Hunter S. Thompson through moving pictures. But that gives me the candid, average view of mister Raul Duke. This book took me 4 days to read. I couldn't put it down. I thought most people who said that were a trying to impress the pretty girl accross the hall. Not so. Thompson captures the spirit of the moment. As drab, as awful as it was, he grabbed hold and made it his own. Character development is an art that Thompson has nailed to the wall. The personalities of these individuals come through naturally, and easily, while the story isn't hindered. I have tried reading a few Earnest Hemmingway novels, and strangely, I see parody. It's a story of travel. They both can't paint the picture because they were there. Thompson's approach is much more entertaining, yet seems more severe. Quirky phrases catch your attention and grab hold. I think the pacing of this book does a lot for the readability. It's feverish, but friendly. I hesitated giving 5 stars for this book, only because, as I said, I am not much of a reader, so I can't compare it to much. I will say this, I will be reading more books by Hunter S. Thompson
Rating:
Summary: good book
Review: I really liked this book. Reading it you can definitely see glimpses of the style of writing that eventually became "gonzo". Most reviews of the book describe it as autobiographical with the character Paul Kemp being Thompson and this may be true but it kind of seemed to me that Kemp was an idea that Thompson had of what he might one day become with the character Yeamon more closely resembling himself. Of course, this is pure speculation but it's mine so as far as I'm concerned I'm right til proved otherwise. The book itself is easy to read and is written almost as if it was planned to be a movie script. I liked it alot.
Rating:
Summary: This Doctor can really write
Review: I came to the good old Doctor probably like the good old Doctor comes into life after a drunken night living on his fortified compound near Puerto Rico(book jacket) -- not knowing what to expect. But I'm glad I crashed my first Thompson novel -- it's a wicked cool party. Some of the passages are just like wine on a Sunday afternoon - "All manner of Men came to work for the News: everything from wild young Turks who wanted to rip the world in half and start all over again-to tired, beer- bellied old hacks who wanted nothing more than to live out their days in peace before a bunch of lunactics ripped the world in half." The book continues on like this for a quick 204 pages, with Thompson occasionally digging up such gems of lines. It's a wild, brash adventure that doesn't seem dated, and stirs up all the feelings about what fiction should be.
Rating: 
Summary: captured and enraptured
Review: I really enjoyed the tales of the Rum Diary and the characters there within. Thompson does an outstanding job of bringing characters to life and giving them enough of an edge to make you wary of thier next move, but real enough to make you really relate to them. Rum Diary has inspired me to think of future possibilities for adventure in my own life. Porta Rico, here I come!
Rating:
Summary: Left me wanting more fiction from HST
Review: HST, please dust off the old Underwood and take us on more journeys like "The Rum Diary." Oh don't misuderstand, your non-fiction and "Fear and Loathing in L.V." are top notch, but your ability to take readers to places they've never been, interact with people they'll never meet and live a life they'll never live is second to none. HST starts us on the frozen streets of NYC and quickly takes us on a manic plane flight (where his protagonist creates general havoc trying to get close to a lovely lady). We land in P.R. at Al's Backyard Bar huddling with American journalists (some ex-communists) drinking and ducking life on the island and for some- well- life itself. The characters are real, the scerery vivid and the story line strong and dark- just like the Rum. Take time this summer to sit in a cool place, sip your favorite drink and spend some time with HST and his cadre of misfits. You'll wish for more and more. . .
Rating:
Summary: I liked it, no matter what you say
Review: this is recycled Chunky yet Funky #13, where I wrote: This is HST's only fictional work, all the others being true stories except that they were a bit skewed, the lizards in the casino in Las Vegas weren't real but that was what it looked like to him under the influence of everything. Anyway, this was written in 1959, when he was 22 & for some reason it was forgotten about & only published last year. It's actually Very Good, the narrator being a journalist called Paul Kemp who decides to go & live in Puerto Rico & report for the only local English language paper called imaginatively enough The News. He describes the madness that goes on there & a whole bunch of different characters all w/ their own problems. 1 thing about his writing is that it's always compelling & you have to keep reading unlike a lot of other things where it can be a chore or you get ambivalent about it. If yr library has it [mine did], get it read it, even if it's in a few years time, it'll be relevant & worthwhile. P.S. It wasn't just called the News, it was the San juan Daily news or something like that. I just read Hell's Angels now & that's good too, not that I like or condone them but it's fascinating stuff. oh the thing about the library, get it here instead, $6 seems very reasonable.
Rating: 
Summary: It is what it should be
Review: I didnt pick this up expecting to be blown away like I was when I read "Fear & Loathing" (the first half of it, anyway). I expected "The Rum Diary" to be a bit rough around the edges, a bit raw and probably more innocent. As I had guessed, this book is no masterpeice, but it is interesting none the less. The subject matter is a bit tame when compared to Thompson's later work, and the writing sounds a bit innocent, but I found it reassuring that someone as notable as Hunter Thompson came from such relatively humble beginnings. This is an easy read, and the book has its moments, but it wont convert anyone who doesnt know about Thompson's exploits in other books.
Rating:
Summary: A strong drink
Review: "The Rum Diary" is a vivid tale of drinking, writing, and hopelessness. I was disgusted with all the characters but at the same time I connected to them. Thompson displays his protagonist with a clarity that is unflattering, yet strangly alluring. This book represents people who struggle through their daily lives, some going mad in the prosess, others clinging to a worthless code of ethics that mean nothing in the sultry sea air of San Juan. Potent, like a shot of rum, this book can leave you with a hangover.
Rating: 
Summary: A Drunk to Nowhere
Review: Junk! I'm told to focus on the books content and contex when reviewing.Very difficult for this book, there is none.Hunter S Thomson has nothing to say,no flow,like a rum hangover.
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