The Rum Diary
In the spirit of celebrating New Year’s Eve with champagne showers, I thought I might add a little liquor to the mix and review The Rum Diary. It’s only natural that I write this while sipping on a personal brew in preparation for my own festivities—just call me a method writer. No matter how much I indulge tonight though, I won’t be going as ham as Hunter S. Thompson. His real-life penchant for alcoholism and illegal drugs seamlessly complements the narrator’s own vices because, well, he is the narrator. Thompson is the pioneer of “gonzo journalism”, a technique in which stories are written subjectively, often from the point of view of the writer, combining both nonfictional and fictional elements. This particular novel is inspired by Thompson’s own journalistic endeavors and jaded experiences in San Juan, Puerto Rico in the 1960s.
The plot itself is fairly simple—journalist Paul Kemp moves from New York to San Juan and finds himself surrounded by debauchery as he writes for The Daily News. All of his coworkers are alcoholics and there is very little accountability—they even show up drunk to work. Every day, Kemp hits up his regular spot, Al’s, and orders two beers and rum served neat all for himself, just as the first round. I don’t trust anyone who orders rum served neat and neither should you…at least throw some ice into the mix.
Although Thompson was only 22 when he wrote this book, it reads like it’s authored by an old, exasperated soul. Kemp is dissatisfied with what this seemingly fresh, new city has to offer, which develops into a disappointment with what life itself has to offer. Alcoholism becomes a means to escape from this sobering realization, which results in Kemp quite literally drunkenly stumbling through life. His job is just a way to pass the time; it is something to do and it gives him somewhere to go. His ostensibly purposeful mission—reporting the news—fails to fill his emptiness.
Now, I know all of this appears super uplifting!
Actually, he does disperse some comical asides and entertaining predicaments amongst his haunting insights. My favorite books typically involve a little consciousness-raising when it comes to life’s absurdities, mixed with a dash of dark comedy. This novel does just that, and more. Overall, I give it 4 out of 5 flames. I enjoy Thompson’s outrageous alcoholic madness and I think that would have made him smile.
if you ever find yourself asking….
Just know that you can find plenty of it in this book!
PS: I’ve subsequently reviewed another one of Hunter S. Thompson’s books-- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
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