The Rum Diary (novel)
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| Author | Hunter S. Thompson |
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| Cover artist | Jackie Seow |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Novel |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, Hardcover, Simon & Schuster, softcover |
| Released | 1998 |
| Pages | 204 |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-684-85647-6 |
| Followed by | Hells Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga |
The Rum Diary is an early novel by American writer Hunter S. Thompson that was written in the early 1960's but was not published until 1998.
The story involves a journalist named Paul Kemp, who moves from New York to work for a small newspaper, The Daily News, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Set in the late 1950s, the novel encompasses a tangled love story of jealousy, treachery and violent alcoholic lust among the American expatriates who staff the newspaper.
Thompson himself traveled from New York to San Juan in 1960 to write for an ill-fated sports newspaper on the island. Thompson had unsuccessfully applied to work at the larger English-language daily called the San Juan Star while novelist William Kennedy was the editor. While in Puerto Rico, Thompson befriended many of the writers at the Star, providing the context for The Rum Diary's fictional storyline.
Although Thompson was only 22 when he wrote the story, it deals extensively with a fear of “going over the hill” and growing old. The prominent characters are typical of Thompson's work; violent, maniacal and alcoholic, stumbling through life. It is written in a highly paced and rather exciting style, also typical of his work.
It is Thompson's second novel, preceded by the still-unpublished Prince Jellyfish.
[edit] Film version
There is a Rum Diary movie set for release in 2008. Actor Johnny Depp will play Paul Kemp and filming is set to start after Depp completes the Pirates of the Caribbean films. Depp previously starred in the film adaptation of Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and helped finance Thompson's funeral. Bruce Robinson is set to direct. According to members of Dr. Thompson's family, Josh Hartnett has been cast as Yeamon, while the role of Sala has landed to both Benicio del Toro and Nick Nolte. The character of Chenault remains uncast for now, as the directors want "a fresh face" as opposed to a well known actress.
