New Books Network Kevin J. Hayes, "Understanding Hunter S. Thompson" (U South Carolina Press, 2025)
Sep 7, 2025
Kevin J. Hayes, professor emeritus of English, offers a deep dive into the life and work of Hunter S. Thompson, the father of gonzo journalism. He discusses Thompson's unique writing style and how his rebellious spirit resonated during the cultural upheavals of the 1960s and 70s. Hayes reveals the influence of Thompson's youthful experiences on his literary voice and explores the complex relationship between his brilliance and struggles with substance abuse. The conversation also touches on Thompson's enduring legacy in modern art and culture.
43:55
How Hayes Discovered Thompson
- Kevin J. Hayes first read Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas in 1981 and loved it immediately.
- He later discovered Hell's Angels in a Tasmanian hostel and that book solidified his interest in Thompson.
Laziness Trimmed Thompson's Ambition
- Hayes argues Thompson's laziness affected his later work and allowed him to 'skate' on reputation.
- He sees a career turning point after Thompson established fame with major books and then eased effort.
Gatsby As Thompson's Literary North Star
- Thompson admired American classics like The Great Gatsby and Huckleberry Finn.
- Hayes believes Gatsby's veneration became a stumbling block that Thompson could never fully emulate in novels.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Hunter S. Thompson: The Gonzo Pioneer
01:30 • 16min
Hunter S. Thompson's Rebellion Against Mainstream Society
17:25 • 3min
The Evolution of Hunter S. Thompson's Writing
20:21 • 10min
The Evolution of a Journalism Career: From Sports Writing to ESPN
30:50 • 2min
The Editorial Influence on Hunter S. Thompson's Writing
32:23 • 2min
Unraveling a Literary Legacy
34:29 • 7min
The Enduring Legacy of Hunter S. Thompson in Contemporary Art
41:20 • 3min
#2484
• Mentioned in 12 episodes
The Electric Kool-aid Acid Test
Tom Wolfe
The book is a firsthand account of the experiences of Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters, a group of psychedelic enthusiasts who traveled across the United States in a painted school bus called Furthur.
The narrative, written in the New Journalism style, later referred to as Gonzo Journalism, details their use of LSD and other psychedelic drugs, their 'Acid Tests' parties, and interactions with notable figures of the 1960s counterculture, including the Grateful Dead, Hells Angels, and Allen Ginsberg.
The book also explores Kesey's exile to Mexico, his arrests, and his impact on the counterculture movement of the 1960s.
#7049
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Hell's Angels
A Strange and Terrible Saga
Hunter S. Thompson
In 'Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga', Hunter S. Thompson provides an immersive account of his time with the Hells Angels, detailing their lifestyle and challenging the myths surrounding them.
The book offers a sociological commentary on the media's portrayal of the gang and their place in American culture.
#920
• Mentioned in 26 episodes
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream
Hunter S. Thompson
Published in 1971, 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' is a novel written by Hunter S. Thompson, presented as a blend of journalism and fiction.
The story follows journalist Raoul Duke (Thompson's alter ego) and his attorney, Dr. Gonzo (based on Oscar Zeta Acosta), as they embark on a trip to Las Vegas to cover the Mint 400 motorcycle race.
However, their assignment quickly devolves into a chaotic and surreal journey fueled by a variety of recreational drugs.
The novel critiques American society, consumerism, and the failure of the 1960s counterculture, while also exploring the concept of the American Dream.
The narrative is characterized by its blurred lines between reality and fiction, reflecting Thompson's signature Gonzo journalism style.
#
The Rum Diary
Hunter S. Thompson
The Rum Diary is a novel written by Hunter S. Thompson, first published in 1998, though it was written in the early 1960s.
The story follows Paul Kemp, an American journalist who takes a job at a struggling newspaper in Puerto Rico.
The novel explores themes of disillusionment, corruption, and the search for identity in a tropical setting.
Thompson's vivid prose and satirical observations capture the atmosphere of the island and its inhabitants.
The book is a blend of autobiographical elements and fictional narrative.
It offers a glimpse into Thompson's early writing career and his evolving gonzo journalism style.
#
The Curse of Lowell
A Strange Addiction
Ralph Steadman
Hunter S. Thompson
The Curse of Lono is a gonzo journalism book written by Hunter S. Thompson and illustrated by Ralph Steadman, published in 1983.
The book chronicles Thompson's chaotic and often surreal experiences covering the Honolulu Marathon in 1980.
It is characterized by Thompson's signature blend of personal narrative, social commentary, and drug-induced hallucinations.
Steadman's vivid and grotesque illustrations perfectly complement Thompson's writing style.
The book is structured as a fragmented and non-linear narrative, reflecting the author's disoriented state of mind.
It explores themes of cultural clashes, the commercialization of sports, and the breakdown of traditional values.
#
Understanding Hunter S. Thompson
Kevin J. Hayes
Understanding Hunter S. Thompson is essential reading for scholars and fans interested in the life and works of Hunter S. Thompson.
Kevin J. Hayes provides a broad and nuanced analysis of Thompson's multifaceted career and unique literary voice.
Following a biographical introduction, Hayes examines the different roles Thompson played throughout his literary career, resulting in a view of his work unlike any previously published biographical or critical study.
The ensuing chapters analyze Thompson's work in his capacities as a foreign correspondent, literary critic, New Journalist, gonzo journalist, campaign writer, anthologist, letter writer, and novelist.
Hayes draws on previously unrecorded articles, correspondence, and interviews to inform his insightful analysis.
#1063
• Mentioned in 23 episodes
The sun also rises
Ernest Hemingway
Originally published in 1926, 'The Sun Also Rises' is Ernest Hemingway’s first novel and a classic example of his spare but powerful writing style.
The novel follows a group of young American and British expatriates as they wander through Europe in the mid-1920s, capturing the moods, feelings, and attitudes of the cynical and disillusioned Lost Generation.
The story centers around Jake Barnes, a World War I veteran and journalist, and Lady Brett Ashley, as they journey from the wild nightlife of 1920s Paris to the brutal bullfighting rings of Spain.
The novel portrays an age of moral bankruptcy, spiritual dissolution, unrealized love, and vanishing illusions, reflecting the existential disillusionment characteristic of the Lost Generation.
#
The Red Badge of Courage
Stephen Crane
Published in 1895, 'The Red Badge of Courage' is a war novel that delves into the internal conflicts of courage, fear, and self-discovery.
The story follows Henry Fleming, a young private in the Union Army, as he grapples with the harsh realities of battle.
Initially filled with romantic notions of war, Henry is disillusioned when he faces the actual horrors of combat.
He flees from the battlefield but later returns, seeking redemption and a 'red badge of courage' to prove his bravery.
The novel is renowned for its realistic portrayal of war and its psychological impact on soldiers, making it a landmark in American literature.
#87
• Mentioned in 128 episodes
The great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Published in 1925, 'The Great Gatsby' is a tragic love story, a mystery, and a social commentary on American life during the Jazz Age. The novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, who moves to Long Island and becomes entangled in the lives of his wealthy and mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby, and Gatsby's obsession to win back his first love, Daisy Buchanan.
The story delves into themes of honesty, the temptations of wealth, and the struggle to escape the past, ultimately reflecting on the disintegration of the American Dream.
#
Fear and Loathing
On the Campaign Trail '72
Hunter S. Thompson
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a semi-autobiographical novel that follows journalist Raoul Duke and his attorney Dr. Gonzo as they travel to Las Vegas to cover a motorcycle race.
Their journey descends into a drug-fueled exploration of the American Dream, marked by bizarre encounters and hallucinatory experiences.
Thompson's use of 'gonzo journalism,' a subjective and immersive style, captures the frenetic energy and moral ambiguity of the era.
The book critiques consumerism, the failures of the 1960s counterculture, and the elusive nature of the American Dream.
Through its chaotic narrative and dark humor, it remains a cult classic that challenges conventional storytelling.
#1209
• Mentioned in 21 episodes
Huckleberry Finn
Joanne Suter
This adaptation of 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' by Joanne Suter retains the core elements of Mark Twain's original story while making it more approachable for students.
The book follows Huck Finn and the runaway slave Jim as they embark on a journey down the Mississippi River, confronting various challenges and social issues of pre-Civil War America.
The adaptation includes eight pages of end-of-book activities to enhance the reading experience and facilitate learning.
#70
• Mentioned in 144 episodes
Moby Dick
Herman Melville
Moby-Dick is a novel that tells the story of Captain Ahab's maniacal quest for revenge against Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg.
Narrated by Ishmael, the story follows the crew of the whaling ship Pequod as they embark on a journey that explores themes of obsession, man vs.
nature, and the existential questions of good and evil.
The novel is rich in detailed descriptions of whale hunting and life aboard a culturally diverse crew, and it has become a cornerstone of American and world literature.
#19599
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Great Shark Hunt
Hunter S. Thompson
The Great Shark Hunt is a seminal work in Gonzo journalism, featuring Thompson's sharp wit and irreverent humor as he critiques American society and captures the essence of the turbulent 1960s and 1970s.
The book includes notable pieces like 'The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved' and excerpts from his *Fear and Loathing* series.
Hunter S. Thompson (1937-2005) pushed the boundaries of storytelling. While the writer is most recognized for the genre-bending work Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1972), in Understanding Hunter S. Thompson (University of South Carolina Press, 2025), Kevin J. Hayes provides a broad and nuanced analysis of Thompson's multifaceted career and unique literary voice. Following a biographical introduction, Hayes examines the different roles Thompson played throughout his literary career, resulting in a view of his work unlike any previously published biographical or critical study. The ensuing chapters analyze Thompson's work in his capacities as a foreign correspondent, literary critic, New Journalist, gonzo journalist, campaign writer, anthologist, letter writer, and novelist. Hayes draws on previously unrecorded articles, correspondence, and interviews to inform his insightful analysis. Written in an engaging and propulsive style, Understanding Hunter S. Thompson is essential reading for scholars and fans.
Kevin J. Hayes is professor emeritus of English, University of Central Oklahoma.
Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network.
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