Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream by Hunter S. Thompson

62 reviews

lori_j's review against another edition

adventurous funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Alcohol

sarahuwu's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.25

If this is the American dream, I want no part in it. Thompson comes across as totally unhinged in the worst possible way. As a look into the drug culture of the early 70s, it works almost as a cautionary tale of paranoia, violence, and filth. This book is completely bizarre and probably makes more sense to people who lived through the time it was written than it ever will to me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use

Moderate: Gun violence, Vomit, and Trafficking

Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence

mmikenaite's review against another edition

adventurous challenging lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

jaimc's review against another edition

funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Alcohol

Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Car accident

justintf's review against another edition

adventurous funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse

khristy's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Writing: fine? I guess. The whole book is like an acid trip. I guess the fact that you can follow any of it is a tribute to the writing. 
Plot/characters: I spent most of the book wondering wtf was going on. It’s hard to know how much of the story is real and how much is a drug dream. 
Profundity: it’s about the quest for the American Dream, I suppose? To me, it mainly feels like people being lost/without purpose with drugs and greed thrown in. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use

aidanweyer's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Rape

Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Racial slurs, and Racism

kshertz's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This book does not stand the test of time. I read it because a lot of people love this author and I wanted to understand why. But to write about what an irresponsible idiot drug user you are and how much you can get away with because you are a powerful white dude with privilege? I’m not envious or in awe of that. I’m disgusted. So, not only is this author not for me, if someone says they love him…. Red flag! 🚩 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol

bookish_bry's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This is a well written and good book, but I personally didn't derive much enjoyment out of it. It's a pretty pessimistic book and the characters are all deplorable which doesn't make it a bad book, but one that doesn't really catch my attention.

That being said, the themes were on point and it was an interesting look into a very specific subculture in the US during the 1970s. It's the optimistic free love culture from the 60s soured by pessimism during the Vietnam war, but the main character (the author himself really) still can't quite let it go. It also takes an interesting look at the main American culture as well.

The writing style was always intriguing and well done even when I was slightly bored or frustrated with the content. Overall it's a solid book. I probably won't be reading it again anytime soon, but it was a very valuable reading experience. I may even look into more of Thompson's books since I really did enjoy the style.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexism, Violence, Alcohol, and Classism

Moderate: Alcoholism, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Vomit, and Police brutality

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, Homophobia, Kidnapping, and War

erinwolf1997's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Police brutality, and Alcohol

Moderate: Gun violence, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Violence

Minor: Fatphobia