Since shortly after his suicide on February 20, 2005, there has been a steady stream of books, and even a documentary, reflecting upon the man and the myth that was writer Hunter S. Thompson. But as he believed and documented with his writing style, dubbed Gonzo journalism, the best way to cover a story, to get to the truth of it, is to be right at the center, making Hunter himself the best person to cover his own story, which he details through a series of interviews from 1967 to 2005.
While sharing at least five interviews with the previously released Conversations with Hunter S. Thompson, Ancient Gonzo Wisdom is a marvelous read for fans, almost similar to his series, The Fear and Loathing Letters. Hunter, by way of his editor and widow Anita Thompson, presents an autobiography of sorts through his responses to questions in print, in a lecture hall, on television, and online. Anita does a great job providing footnotes to make clear what is being discussed in the conversations.
The questioners are an odd mix, mostly of fellow journalists, nowhere near as successful, who come at Hunter from different perspectives. There are fawning fans like the women of Albuquerque’s NuCity Press (1995) that bring up his “secret reputation as a pretty sexy guy” which he wasn’t aware of. Others act confrontational, figuring an interview with Hunter gives them license to act the outlaw. Judd Rose of ABC’s Primetime Live (1992), in a piece about the city of Aspen, startles Hunter, at the request of friend David Rosenthal, by opening with “who do you like better: Negroes or Jews?” Then there are the downright foolish, such as Peter Olszewski of Australia’s Loose Licks (1976). He asks Hunter to imagine taking some ultra-powerful acid that would cause him to reincarnate and then queries, “Who would you come back as?” I was stunned someone bothered to ask him if drugs should be legalized, as if there was any doubt?
Ancient Gonzo Wisdom is best taken in small doses because apparently interviewers didn’t do much research of Hunter or his previous interviews as a lot of the same ground gets covered. Multiple times, with slight variances to the story, we get his responses to subjects like why he got stomped by some Hell’s Angels, the creation of his Kentucky Derby story, the meaning of “gonzo,” working with illustrator Ralph Steadman, and his run for Sheriff of Aspen. Also, there were many questions about how much of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is true, as if that would matter. Besides, a magician never reveals his tricks.
Article comments
1 - Greg Barbrick
Nice review. As a modern day writer, I can only compare him to Bukowski, whose life became the story more than his actual writing did.
It's funny because as his writing diminished, his legend only grew. Kind of sad as well. Thanks for the tip on the Jay Cowan book, it is one I will be seeking out.
2 - El Bicho
Thanks, Greg
3 - Wilson Knut
Good review. I've been a Thompson fan for some time. The documentary also touches on the "role" he felt he had to play once he found success. Interesting stuff about the '76 campaign.
4 - El Bicho
Thanks, WK. I don't know how much he actually had to play it. Sure, it's the role some liked to see him in, but from all I have read I believe it was easier and also lucrative. Why put in the hard work and possible disappoint of competing with yourself when just showing up wasted paid the bills and had little perceived downside?