Reviews with content warning for Violence - Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream

TL;DR: A fever dream of a novel that would satisfy any fans of the movie it is based on. Newcomers to the story could also enjoy it if they appreciate something zany and mildly hallucinogenic. As the author said, "Buy the ticket. Take the ride."
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REVIEW:

First off, major trigger warning for drug use. There are also other trigger warnings for this book, so please check them before diving in.

I saw the movie that was based on this book ages ago and really enjoyed it's dark, wacky nature and was always interested in reading the book. I finally got around to it and was actually that much more blown away by the movie's faithful adaptation. I think having the prior experience of watching the movie also helped me visualize the plot and it made the book even more atmospheric.

Without getting into too many details, this book is essentially a journalist's road trip through Vegas to cover a motorcycle race, but the trip is fueled primarily by the assortment of drugs that he and his lawyer companion bring along.

The writing style and intensity surrounding the plot might not be for everyone. Reading this really did feel like some kind of acid trip (or what I would imagine one to be since I'm not a partaker). I enjoyed how bizarre it all was and how the writing made me feel like I was right there with the characters. I'm also a fan of Ralph Stedman's art, so his illustrations throughout the book were fun as well!

However, the book did start to wane for me a little bit at the end, which actually happens with the movie for me too. I really enjoyed this and would like to read more from Thompson. I'd say that if you have seen and like the movie then it's worth giving this a read. If you haven't seen the movie or haven't heard of it, definitely look up a blurb and the trigger warnings to see if it might be up your alley!

Final verdict: Utterly bizarre. 4 stars. Would take the ride again.

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paulines_reading_journal's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny fast-paced

3.75

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tessasreads's review against another edition

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adventurous slow-paced

2.5

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vgdavies03's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny reflective tense fast-paced

4.0

wild

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jemamoureuseavecmonvoiture's review against another edition

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tense fast-paced

2.0

the main character is a horrible person. entertaining read.

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fionac326's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced

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jefflypuff's review against another edition

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dark funny medium-paced

2.5

I honestly don’t know if I liked this book... it was all over the place and quickly moved from funny to maddening, from believable to unlikely, and would quickly jump between places/characters that haven’t been introduced yet

On one hand

it did feel like I was on the drug trip with them

, but it didn’t seem particularly fun... perhaps that’s the point of the book?

I’m less enthusiastic about the book after finding out it is allegedly nonfiction, because frankly it seems very very unlikely- although

If he did even half the drugs he claims then maybe he THINKS that’s how it happened

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