Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Publisher's Summary

Maverick author Hunter S. Thompson introduced the world to "gonzo journalism" with this cult classic that shot back up the best seller lists after Thompson's suicide in 2005. No book ever written has more perfectly captured the spirit of the 1960s counterculture. In Las Vegas to cover a motorcycle race, Raoul Duke (Thompson) and his attorney Dr. Gonzo (inspired by a friend of Thompson) are quickly diverted to search for the American dream. Their quest is fueled by nearly every drug imaginable and quickly becomes a surreal experience that blurs the line between reality and fantasy. But there is more to this hilarious tale than reckless behavior, for underneath the hallucinogenic facade is a stinging criticism of American greed and consumerism.

©1971 Hunter S. Thompson (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic Reviews

"The best book on the dope decade." (The New York Times Book Review)

Ron McLarty?

This is one of my favorite books of all time. Unfortunately, I think Ron McLarty's narration really missed the mark. He sounds like a stoned surfer from Malibu, rather than Hunter. Maybe my problem is I had seen Hunter speak a few times, seen documentaries, even met him once, and McLarty comes off a little too much like Jeff Spiccolli from Fast Times. If you've never seen or heard Hunter speak or read, you might really enjoy it, but for the more familiar, hardcore Gonzo fans, you might want to skip this one.

43 of 51 people found this review helpful

Too Much Fear and Loathing

Just goes to show, you can have great ingredients, but with the wrong chef, you still don't get much of a meal. First audio book in a year that I just stopped listening to, and put on the shelf. I felt like there was a little too much Ron McLarty and he overpowered Hunter Thompson's writing. Accents we're odd and inconsistent. Just my personal taste, take it with a grain of salt.

18 of 21 people found this review helpful

A Review

Have read this at least 20 times since high school,college, grad school. I couldn't get past the narrator's voice. It kills me to not finish a book but this one was "ejected" after 10 painful minutes.

Warning: listen to sample before spending $$$!

37 of 46 people found this review helpful

Gonzo Lives!

This is one of the best books I enjoyed on Audible. It is certainly not for everyone, "R" rated, but captures the essence of Gonzo journalism and Rolling Stone Magazine in the 60s and 70s. Exceptional narration.

10 of 12 people found this review helpful

narrator could have respected hunter's cadence

I felt the narrator was not familiar enough with Hunter's cadence and style so parts of this were too dry

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

One of the best on Audible

This book oon the drug counterculture in california iin the early 70s is a masterpiece as written.
The reading is as good or better--
Brilliant--if you are in any way interested in this American period sociologically.
Almost done with it---definitely will listen again.

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

Fear not

Not quite sure how to describe this all-time classic, so I won’t. Suffice to say that you shouldn’t miss it! The narrator, Ron McLarty, hits the spot exactly. There’s nothing about this book that could be improved.

7 of 9 people found this review helpful

I laughed A LOT!!!!

Would you listen to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas again? Why?

IDK..it is really a crazy listen and it jumps around a lot...the story is non existent...but the performance is incredible!

What did you like best about this story?

All the drug abuse...lol

Have you listened to any of Ron McLarty’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no, but I would...he is entertaining!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No...but I laughed and laughed!

Any additional comments?

This is not so much a story as a performance..there is a little story there..but its more a paranoid rant that is hilarious...yes I have seen the movie...and this is worth a listen...but don't take it to seriously...and if you cant find humor in severe drug abuse and partying...than don't even bother...it is well written...and performed...just crazy...I did enjoy it though!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Buy the ticket, take the ride.

An irreverent mockery of the American dream in all of its filthy greedy excess. I loved this book. Its hard to believe that a guy so wacked out on drugs could be so observant and acute. This has to be Hunter S. Thompson's magnum opus.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Exaclty what you expect, and perfect narration

This is a classic. You all know what it's about (drugs). And it's exactly what you expect.

The narration is just perfect. He nails the mood of the situation and the character of Thompson.

Haha. His attorney is a really funny guy.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Roller coaster ride of drug abuse

The narration of the book helps to make the disjointed nature of the story roll along more evenly than you would expect. it is well told and the characters come alive. it is hard to believe that this book was written over forty years ago as certain aspects of the culture and lifestyle are as fresh today as they were then and nothing seems dated, it seems relevant, almost as if you could have the same wild adventure today as you could then and nothing would have changed except for the names of the politicians. All in all a solid 5/5 and highly recommended by this listener.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Rooooooooooaaaaaaaaad Triiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip....

It's all you thought and some thoughts you couldn't have without chemical assistance.



This strangely lyrical journey too and from Las Vegas was something I found I couldn't just dip in to. You have to take big slugs and then just hang on and look out... I couldn't decide whether it was a journey I wish I was brave enough to go on, or one I took and just couldn't remember.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

BRILLIANT

I READ THIS BOOK AND ALSO SAW THE FILM BUT NONE OF THEM COMPARE WITH THE AUDIO BOOK. I LAUGHED SO MUCH AND REALLY ENJOYED THE PURE MADNESS. THE NARRATOR IS FABULOUS AND PORTRAYS THE EVENTS SO WELL THAT I FELT LIKE I WAS ACTUALLY THERE.

5 of 8 people found this review helpful

Perfect

I fucking loved it, the whole thing from start to finish, its nuts and fun to listen to also very well narrated

amazing book

if you have watched the film but are unsure about the book got for it!

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

one of my favourite books, but...

... the way this was read, I just couldn't get through it. Such a shame.

First time with Hunter S Thompson's writing

In "Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas"; Hunter S Thompson and his attorney take you on a wild acid trip that'll lead you down the bizarre rabbit hole in the desert.

Good listen

Where does Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Its a good book, well known and i can see why. I was recommend to read the book from one of my friends.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas?

There was lots the whole book was an interesting listen. Very peculiar, different from my normal listen so it was a nice break.

Any additional comments?

I thought the narration was great, perfect fit for the story. I found the book slightly jumbled at times. Although come to think about it trying to keep along to this while driving might not be the best idea! in addition to that it might of been the authors intention due to the nature of the.....experience they're having.

An amazing experience

Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas isn't just read it's experienced as the author puts you into the moment with his beautiful descriptive use of the English language.

Why not?

Worth listening to for Ron McLarty's performance alone - he's great for this character.

The book tells of a drug fueled trip to Las Vegas - and the craziness that inevitably ensues. Probably the precursor to Hangover and other road trip type stories.