The RUM DIARY : A LONG LOST NOVEL

Rating:
Summary: Not bad for a first novel
Review: Thompson's first book follows the life of a 31-year old news reporter and his exploits in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The plot documents the woes of burned-out coworkers, jealous lovers, and American businessmen living on the island.

What I enjoyed about this book is the insightful descriptions of San Juan and the people living there. The landscape really breathes - more so than the characters. The people are not very memorable, save for Moburg and perhaps the woman Chenault. The plot doesn't drag, but isn't always interesting.

Fans of Thompson's prose (ie. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) should not expect much of liquid description of later works. There are glimpses of what will follow in Hell's Angels and Fear and Loathing, but these are only flashes of brilliance in a rookie novel. All things considered, this novel is best for hard-core Hunter Thompson fans; it is worth the read but is not his peak work.