Hunter S. Thompson wrote a lot of material in a gonzo journalism style, but this is the one that really put him on the map and pointed the way for him as an author of full-length books. The overriding theme of this book is the extreme contrast between the often mundane, boring, and desperate lifestyles of outlaw motorcycle clubs and the lurid, giddy, terrorized media reporting the same outlaws receive. As such, this may disappoint many looking for a sexed-up blood-and-guts account of the Hell's Angels during the mid-1960s in California. It may also disappoint those expecting the zany, tripped out comedy that HST indulged in throughout his better-known books.
To that I say you have to take the book on its own merits. HST's style here is far more subdued and closer to that of Tom Wolfe. This is not a bad thing. While HST clearly identifies to a certain degree with some of the outlaws (much as Wolfe did with the Merry Pranksters), he both avoids playing into the type of propaganda that the Angels would have preferred as well as preventing any attempt to glorify the behavior of largely borderline personalities. For these reasons, the book can often be a tough read as it requires HST to ask some hard questions. Why do so many mainstream middle-class Americans have a morbid fascination with outlaws and criminals? And what causes ordinary rebelliousness to calcify into nihilism?
HST does not have clear answers, but his ruminations definitely will get you thinking about today's societal problems.
In sum, if you're looking for the literary equivalent of a B-movie biker flick or a surreal "Fear and Loathing" outing, you will be sorely tested by this book. If you're looking for a vaguely "true crime"-themed journalistic novel that will leave you thinking long after you've finished the book, you've come to the right place.
| ASIN | 0345410084 |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Ballantine Books; 1st edition (September 29, 1996) |
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 273 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 9780345410085 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0345410085 |
| Item Weight | 9.2 ounces |
| Dimensions | 5.51 x 0.74 x 8.2 inches |
