The Rum Diary (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 1959 |
| Founder | Hunter S. Thompson |
| Headquarters | San Juan, Puerto Rico , United States (Puerto Rico) |
| Products | Novel |
The Rum Diary represents one of the initial novels penned by American author Hunter S. Thompson. Although composed in the early 1960s, it was not released until 1998. The manuscript, which Thompson began crafting in 1959, came to light among his personal documents through the efforts of Johnny Depp. The narrative centers on Paul Kemp, a journalist who relocates from New York to join The Daily News in San Juan, Puerto Rico, during the 1950s. This work stands as Thompson's second novel, succeeding the yet unpublished Prince Jellyfish.
Background
Set against the backdrop of the late 1950s, this novel delves into themes such as envy, treachery, and indulgence within an American newspaper office in Puerto Rico. Thompson himself moved to San Juan in 1960 to contribute to a struggling sports publication after failing to secure a position at the more prominent English-language paper, The San Juan Star, which was overseen by novelist William J. Kennedy. His personal experiences and relationships from that period heavily influenced the fictional environment depicted.
Though written when Thompson was just 22 years old, the story conveys anxieties about aging and introduces characters emblematic of his style—impulsive, unpredictable, and heavy drinkers. The brisk narrative pace is consistent with his distinctive literary voice. Thompson aspired to create the Great American Novel but admitted he "still can't beat that goddamn Gatsby."
After completing a draft in the early 1960s, Thompson sold it to Random House following their agreement to publish his debut book, Hell's Angels. Over time, however, he found it increasingly difficult to write about an era that had grown distant and ultimately set the manuscript aside until its eventual publication in 1998.
Portions of the text appeared earlier in Thompson’s 1990 anthology Songs of the Doomed, revealing modifications made prior to the final release. Academic David S. Wills observed that initial drafts included racial slurs that were mostly eliminated by 1998.
Promoted as "The Long Lost Novel," The Rum Diary was never genuinely lost; rather, Thompson chose to publish it primarily due to financial necessity. His assistant Lynn Nesbit explained that its release was motivated by monetary reasons and would not have occurred otherwise. The book achieved strong sales; nevertheless, Thompson criticized its production quality as "the sloppiest job of Book Publishing I've ever seen."
Film adaptation
A cinematic version of The Rum Diary was created under the direction and screenplay of Bruce Robinson, featuring Johnny Depp portraying journalist Paul Kemp. Filming took place in Puerto Rico during 2009, with the movie premiering on October 28, 2011.
External links
- totallygonzo.org – The Hunter S. Thompson and Gonzo Journalism Community
- Larger version of cover image