The Rum Diary Audiobook By Hunter S. Thompson cover art

The Rum Diary

A Novel

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The Rum Diary

By: Hunter S. Thompson
Narrated by: Christopher Lane
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Begun in 1959 by a 22-year-old Hunter S. Thompson, The Rum Diary is a brilliantly tangled love story of jealousy, treachery, and violent alcoholic lust in the Caribbean boomtown that was San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the late 1950s. The narrator, freelance journalist Paul Kemp, irresistibly drawn to a sexy, mysterious woman, is soon thrust into a world where corruption and get-rich-quick schemes rule and anything (including murder) is permissible. Exuberant and mad, youthful and energetic, this dazzling comedic romp provides a fictional excursion as riveting and outrageous as Thompson's Fear and Loathing books.

©1999 Hunter S. Thompson (P)2011 Simon & Schuster Classics Crime Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Noir Crime Exciting Funny Run Diary

Critic reviews

“Crackling, twisted, searing, paced to a deft prose rhythm.... A shot of Gonzo with a rum chaser.” ( San Francisco Chronicle)
“Enough booze to float a yacht and enough fear and loathing to sink it.” ( New York Daily News)
“A great and an unexpected joy.... Reveals a young Hunter Thompson brimming with talent.” ( The Philadelphia Inquirer)
Atmospheric Story • Rich Descriptions • Excellent Performance • Compelling Characters • Engaging Writing
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Great read. Thompson is amazing and the narrator was spot on. Four more words needed.

HST is wonderfull

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Great book, but much slower than Fear and Loathing a serious tone compared to the same novel.

Better than I expected

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Great book with a great narrative. Nice story to relax and listen to. I would recommend this book to a friend that wanted an easy read with a good story.

Wonderful story

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It was ok- not great and not horrible. And having a “15 word minimum” for a review is absolutely ridiculous

Kind of just a rambling drunk story- not bad but not interesting

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Loved Thompson's detailed writing although the story took a long time to really get anywhere so I did become a little unengaged. The characters are profoundly real and deeply etched, but on the whole unlikeable as is the protagonist (even though they are entertaining in their dissolute meanderings through life). I find it interesting reading work from the 1950s and earlier, that physical abuse towards women seems to be accepted as easily as batting away a fly. Very disturbing.

A rum review

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excellent storyline.... can't wait to watch the movie... will definitely read other books by this author.

discovering Hunter S Thompson

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Hunter did justice and felt the emotions and charscters at heart. He did amazing job.

Great visual

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Blew the movie out of the water I would def listen to it again. Maybe

Great read some of Hunter s Thompson best

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With the old timer talk and the setting of the late 1950s Thompson captured a piece of that decade, and gave it life with real characters going through the crualty and benefits of life.

My favorite book

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What made the experience of listening to The Rum Diary the most enjoyable?

the anticipation of waiting for something meaningful to happen

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

odd, unfufilling

Have you listened to any of Christopher Lane’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't believe I've listened to his other performances. He did a great job with limited material

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

no.

WAS THIS WORTH TURNING INTO A MOVIE?

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