Book Review: The Rum Diary by Hunter S. Thompson

Introduction

Some time ago, I had the pleasure of watching the film “The Rum Diary” (2011), which starred Johnny Depp as the protagonist, Paul Kemp. The movie captivated me with its compelling portrayal of Kemp’s exciting lifestyle set against the vibrant backdrop of the Caribbean. The ocean, the sunsets, the rum… it was truly mesmerizing. Recently, I decided to delve into the novel that inspired the film, “The Rum Diary” written by Hunter S. Thompson. From the moment I began reading, I fell in love with it. What intrigued me the most was the fact that it was not purely a work of fiction. Thompson himself lived and worked as a journalist in Puerto Rico in the late 1950s, which inspired the events depicted in the novel. Published in 1998, almost forty years after its creation, “The Rum Diary” is a blend of truth and fiction, narrated in the first person by journalist Paul Kemp, who arrives in San Juan to work for the newspaper San Juan Daily News.

Thompson’s Writing Style

Thompson’s writing style shares many qualities with the novels of Jack Kerouac, whom I greatly admire. Both authors write in a fast-paced and exciting manner, effectively capturing the atmosphere of the places they depict. In Thompson’s case, he brilliantly brings to life the vividness of San Juan. Both authors also share a common type of character – young, wild, rebellious, and idealistic individuals who crave more from life but often find themselves caught up in a never-ending cycle of alcohol and romantic encounters. These characters are constantly seeking new thrills, as boredom is equated with death in their world. Life in their novels seems endlessly exciting, brimming with possibilities, to the point where even a hangover feels like the most romantic thing in the world. Kemp’s excitement about coming to the island is palpable when he exclaims, “I wanted to write all my friends and invite them down… ‘Come quick stop plenty of room in the rum barrel stop no work stop big money stop drink all day stop hump all night stop hurry it may not last.'”

A Fragile Moment in Time

Similar to Kerouac’s novel “Tristessa,” which I also adore, “The Rum Diary” captures a fragile moment in time. It explores the experiences of two North Americans venturing into exotic southern locations and documenting their journeys. Kerouac spent a year in Mexico City, while Thompson spent about two years in Puerto Rico. Their experiences are intricately tied to a specific period in history; had they visited these places just five years later, everything would have been different. Thompson’s writing reveals a layer of sadness beneath the surface of ecstasy and drunkenness. It conveys a sense of aimlessness, the passing of time, and the fear of growing old. Perhaps it is this underlying melancholy that drives the characters’ impulsive pursuit of experiences, often leading to questionable decisions. Thompson’s attention to detail when describing the place is remarkable. He vividly portrays the hot air, palm trees, narrow streets with tightly packed buildings and balconies that hang over the street. He captures the chatter and music flowing from open windows, the narrow pavements where vendors sell peeled oranges, and the foreignness of the place. Thompson’s keen observations and specific references to names and locations immerse readers in the sights, sounds, and smells of San Juan.

Exploitation of Beauty and Nature

Another significant aspect of “The Rum Diary” is the exploration of the exploitation of the island’s beauty and nature. This theme is exemplified through the character of businessman Yeamon, who befriends Kemp. The mainland Americans viewed Puerto Rico as a source of wealth and planned to build hotels and exploit its resources. This exploitation is disheartening and serves as a critique of capitalism. As Thompson writes, “At that time the U.S. State Department was calling Puerto Rico ‘America’s advertisement in the Caribbean – living proof that capitalism can work in Latin America.'” The book highlights the transformation of the landscape, where houses that once had views of the ocean now face hotels. This shift reflects the detrimental consequences of capitalist endeavors on the island’s natural beauty.

Noteworthy Quotes

The Rum Diary” is filled with memorable quotes that capture the essence of the novel:

“There was a strange and unreal air about the whole world I’d come into. It was amusing and vaguely depressing at the same time.”
“Here I was, living in a luxury hotel, racing around a half-Latin city in a toy car that looked like a cockroach and sounded like a jet fighter, sneaking down alleys and humping on the beach, scavenging for food in shark-infested waters, hounded by mobs yelling in a foreign tongue.”
“The whole thing was taking place in quaint old Spanish Puerto Rico, where everybody spent American dollars and drove American cars and sat around roulette wheels pretending they were in Casablanca.”
“Driving along the beach, I remembered how much I’d enjoyed the mornings when I first came to San Juan. There is something fresh and crisp about the first hours of a Caribbean day, a happy anticipation that something is about to happen, maybe just up the street or around the next corner.”

Memorable Scenes

One of the most memorable scenes in “The Rum Diary” is the provocative dance performed by Chenault in a crowded club on the isle of St. Thomas. Thompson’s vivid descriptions bring the scene to life:

Scene 1:

“They had made a big circle, and in the middle of it, Chenault and the small, spade-bearded man were doing the dance. Chenault had dropped her skirt and was dancing in her panties and her white sleeveless blouse. Her partner had taken off his shirt exposing his glistening black chest. He wore nothing but a pair of tight, red toreador pants. Both of them were barefoot.”

(…)

“Now, as if in some kind of trance, Chenault began to unbutton her blouse. She popped the buttons slowly, like a practiced stripper, then flung the blouse aside and pranced there in nothing but her bra and panties. I thought the crowd would go crazy. They howled and pounded on furniture, shoving and climbing on each other to get a better view.”

Scene 2:

“They were coming together again, weaving slowly toward the middle of the circle. The noise was an overpowering roar from two hundred wild throats. Chenault still wore that dazed, ecstatic expression as the man reached out and eased her panties over her hips and down to her knees. She let them drop silently on the floor, then stepped away, breaking into the dance again, moving against him, freezing there for a moment – even the music paused – then dancing away, opening her eyes and flinging her hair from side to side.”

Conclusion

“The Rum Diary” is a captivating novel that transports readers to the vibrant world of San Juan in the late 1950s. Thompson’s writing style, reminiscent of Kerouac’s, creates a sense of urgency and excitement. The book not only explores the personal experiences of its characters but also delves into the exploitation of a beautiful island and the consequences of capitalist endeavors. Through vivid descriptions and memorable scenes, Thompson brings the setting and characters to life, leaving readers with a lasting impression of the Caribbean and the turbulent era in which the novel is set.