Joel Achenbach on Hunter S. Thompson
WaPo columnist and new blogger Joel Achenbach has posted a good essay about Thompson, including an account of a few hours spent at Thompson's legendary Woody Creek (CO) hideaway. Achenbach captures the raw essence of Thompson without glamorizing his weaknesses, which were many and also legendary.
And, for the record, I also have the original editions (it spanned two issues, you know) of Rolling Stone in which "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" was unleashed on an unsuspecting world. My first thought upon hearing of Thompson's death this morning was, "wonder if those magazines are worth more money now?" Before you judge me too harshly for such a mercenary thought, ponder this: Thompson himself would likely nod in approval.
Heh. I like the way you just sort of slip in that "I only met Thompson once..." reference.
Posted by: Eric at February 21, 2005 01:34 PMI tried to write like him as a young thing and only ended up with very bad run-on sentences. I gave that up but my wife says I still tend to have run on sentences and I just don't know where to stop and start new ideas, so I end up mixing them up and the result is very long but seldom coherant, or even interesting sentences.
Posted by: anselm at February 21, 2005 03:47 PMCould be worse. Incomplete sentences, for example.
Coherency is way overrated, in my opinion.
Posted by: Eric at February 21, 2005 04:15 PM"wonder if those magazines are worth more money now?"
Definitely. The current market price is between $69 to $76 for each issue (and counting).
Issue 1 Issue 2
You'll have a much better idea what the value is by the end of tomorrow when both auctions end.
A celebrity's death always sends a big spike in merchandise value after which prices decline somewhat, but remain at slightly higher levels. That's for ordinary "celebrities". The biggies, well, their value of their stuff just keeps going up.
So here's the rub. If Thompson turns out to be a so-so celebrity, your best bet is to sell the mags now while he's still news. If you don't, you won't get nearly as much later on.
If public perception turns him into another Kerouac, then selling now would be a serious mistake. As for being mercenary, hey, there's nothing wrong with capitalism. eBay's brought that message home to a lot of people.
Posted by: Mr. Freen at February 21, 2005 06:40 PMNope, Thompson would want to know how much we could get for his cadaver ....
Posted by: Tom TYler at February 22, 2005 02:59 AMAbout the publisher
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Eric, a wonderful essay and tribute to the late Mr. Thompson. Thank you for finding it and sharing it with us!
I only met Thompson once, in New Mexico. It was an experience I won't forget, but I doubt I would be able to convey that experience with the simple elegance and effectiveness with which Joel Achenbach recalls his encounter.
One thing I appreciate about this essay is that Achenbach uses Thompson's own words. Thompson was a brilliant writer with a vocabulary that conveyed action and emotion better than just about anyone else who plied their craft in that era.
Posted by: Jeff at February 21, 2005 01:31 PM