Thompson Hunter Stockton was a vibrant, rebellious, and talented person. He possessed a rare gift - to write vividly and boldly about the truth. As you know, the truth is not always sweet, often bitter and shocking. Especially when it comes to government, government and its obvious gaps.
The writer Thompson Hunter Stockton, in the years of active journalistic activity, turned American society on its head. He discouraged people with his truthful notes and articles that were political in nature. His writing style was significantly different from the usual one - it was an expressive, emotional and deeply personal way of narrating in the first person. In other words, Thompson conceived a new direction in writing articles - gonzo journalism. With a strong word, he went through absolutely everything and was not shy in expressions. Such an unusual way of self-expression brought fame to the author of many books.
Start - Broken Truck
The youth of a journalist cannot be called sweet and simple. After the death of Thompson's father, the family remained in the care of the mother. The woman is addicted to alcohol. Endless drinking, of course, did not bring anything good. Eternal need and permissiveness did not have the best effect on children. Hunter is addicted not only to alcohol, but also to drugs. This attachment to a âseparate realityâ led him to an accident. The truck the writer worked on crashed because the driver, Hunter, was under the influence of either alcohol or drugs. To avoid punishment, he quickly retreated and fled to the army, where no one could get him.
Military service - the rudiments of unusual talent
In the army, Thompson Hunter Stockton was not distinguished by diligent behavior. The young man wrote for a newspaper at a military base, led a sports column and more - he described absolutely everything that he saw. Nothing left the bold pen of a journalist. All the flaws in the arrangement of the military base were instantly revealed, which led the journalist to the inevitable result - he was commissioned, and ahead of schedule. The discouraged leadership could not curb the obstinate soldier. After the army, Thompson Hunter Stockton completely surrendered to his bright and reckless fate.
Life cycle
Despite the sad departure from the army, the military program allowed Hunter to enter Columbia University for free. During the training, he worked part-time in the magazine âTimeâ, from where he was quickly fired for the fight he had fought with a local cook and the breakdown of an automatic machine with chocolates. But such minor troubles never depressed the journalist, because he was the only one who dared to write the truth and not be afraid of the consequences.
Studying ended in squabbles, but he still received a diploma and went to Puerto Rico, where his first tales and stories were born. Among them was one, now already known to everyone. This is the story "Rum Diary." In it, Thompson talks about the fate of a journalist and the newspaper where he works. Needless to say, that all employees are mired in total drunkenness and debauchery (the main condition for almost all the works of the author)? The tragic and shocking novel The Rum Diary brought Hunter fame not only in âdiligentâ American society, but throughout the world.
The personal life of a journalist
In the seemingly stormy and indefatigable life of Hunter, there was a place for the family. Thompson married his longtime girlfriend, Sandra Conklin. She was his friend, wife and reliable support for many years. But Thompson's addiction to drugs and alcohol led to endless miscarriages and the death of their newborn babies. Only one child out of six possible was born and survived - Juan.
These problems practically brought Sandra to suicide, but her husbandâs moral support did not allow her to say goodbye to her life. They raised their only son and were really happy. Thompson and Sandra later divorced, but remained bosom friends until the last day of Hunter's life.
An unusual stretch of Thompson's life
Thompson Hunter Stockton, whose books are now popular all over the world, spent a whole year among bikers. Fate confronted him with a famous and fearsome group of people called the "Angels of Hell." Whatever respectable citizens have ascribed to this motorcycle club - abductions of children, and murders, and violence, and all that the devil was capable of. A year of life among these bikers allowed the author to debunk the stereotypes that developed about them. He, as usual, described in color the essence and purpose of the existence of the "Angels of Hell", which had nothing to do with the opinions of those around him. This unusual segment of Thompson's life was a prelude to the peak of his popularity - work in the magazine Rolling Stone.
Significant work
Thompson's first article in the magazine was a vivid and lively first-person report on another unusual experience - an attempt to take a sheriffâs position in a small town in Colorado. In the light of the election campaign, he propagandized free access to drugs for personal use! I pasted the town with posters with a naked girl, signed excerpts from their articles. At the same time, he shaved his head in order to poke his opponent with a stinging phrase about his "lush vegetation" on his head. Thompsonâs shocking and overt campaign, of course, failed, but it served as the basis for writing the first known article in Rolling Stone, The Power of Freaks in the Mountains. In the same journal, two main works of the journalist were published - âFear and Loathing in Las Vegasâ and âFear and Loathing during the Election 72 Campaignâ.
Labor brought fame
The book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, like many of Thompsonâs other works, shocked and intrigued the reader. It tells about the strange journey of two heroes across America. It is strange because there was no specific purpose in it. Every minute lived here and now. Heroes' car was filled with drugs of all conceivable and inconceivable types - from LSD to cocaine. Among the stimulants for changing consciousness, alcohol was also present in large quantities. With this set, the heroes of the book travel around the country.
Each episode of life is perceived and transmitted under the influence of drugs, through a veil of cocaine and booze. Despite the altered state of consciousness of the heroes, the book talks about the truth, the true existence of American society. For a bold narrative and debunking of myths, the authorâs book was not printed for a long time, but Rolling Stone magazine took full responsibility and did not regret it. The work instantly gained popularity and fame, which the writer so sought. At first, all his creations were published in English, later they were translated into other languages, including Russian.
Screen versions of the author's works brought him to a new round of fame. In the film "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas", Depp, beloved by all, starred as the main character. Thompson and Johnny became friends, they were connected by an unusual look at this world. For the role, the actor needed to shave his head, in which Thompson himself helped him.
Books for those who are not afraid of the truth
All the authorâs books are saturated with tragedy and humor, an unusual and sometimes aggressive interpretation of events. The book âFear and Loathing during the Election 72â clearly shows a bright, strong and vibrant syllable. âThis is my calling card,â said Thompson Hunter Stockton. The authorâs quotes have spread all over the world, they are filled with biting and caustic sayings addressed to American presidents and politicians. His works are intended for those who are not afraid of drug addicts and the truth of life.
Unusual writer hobbies
Hunter has been collecting all kinds of weapons all his life. In his collection, one could find the most unusual items. He treasured it and each time showed the results of his hobby to guests. According to some fans of the writer, this hobby appeared as a result of his main statement: "I have to be sure that I can control my death." The writer was most afraid of remaining weak in the arms of his son. He would rather end his life in his mind and relative health, and only weapons could help him in this.
At 67, Thompson, in his cozy house, locked himself in his office, pulled the trigger and passed away of his own free will. Everything was as he planned. This sad event happened in 2005.
Hunter Thompson's life and work went through the haze of an altered state. Perhaps this helped him gain courage and scream about the obvious gaps in society and government, the dull existence of law-abiding citizens. All the same, he laughed at the law and the rules invented by the "greasy politicians." The journalist filtered through the prism of truth everything that came in the way. Could it be that the seemingly licentious and evil addict was appreciated and loved by readers all over the world? You can answer this question only by reading his articles and books. In the depths of smoke from marijuana lies the shocking truth - the drug is politics, not cocaine.