Scan barcode
ok_noodling's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book seems to be written aimlessly. "The Rum Diary" is very simply the diary of a passive man highlighting some of the worst moments in his life. The narrator tends to lean into Puerto Rico just being a bad place, but it is very much the people he's around. All of the characters don't seem mix well with each other, yet they stick to each other anyway no matter the reason.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Violence
Minor: Murder
polkadots_pints's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
While I respect Hunter S. Thompson as a writer and revolutionary, this book was not for me. (Just did a quick internet search and it turns out the book wasn’t well-loved by the author either. Wikipedia said “Thompson had always felt it was too weak to sell, but now he needed money” and “The book sold well but Thompson was disappointed, calling it "the sloppiest job of Book Publishing I've ever seen.””)
The racist, sexist, and homophobic jabs made by the characters were too much for me, and distracted from the overall story. For those interested in the era, location, and lifestyle of the times (white male journalists living in San Juan in the late 1950s) it is probably an accurate depiction, but I suppose it’s not something I care that much about. So why did I continue reading it/finish it? I confess it’s because Thompson is a great writer, and I love what he can do with words. Additionally, I was curious enough to see where it was going.
The racist, sexist, and homophobic jabs made by the characters were too much for me, and distracted from the overall story. For those interested in the era, location, and lifestyle of the times (white male journalists living in San Juan in the late 1950s) it is probably an accurate depiction, but I suppose it’s not something I care that much about. So why did I continue reading it/finish it? I confess it’s because Thompson is a great writer, and I love what he can do with words. Additionally, I was curious enough to see where it was going.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
kylietokar's review against another edition
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Sexual assault