It's subjective, and not for everybody. Whether you're talking about the man or his art, you might not like it yourself, but many of us relate to Hunter to the extent that it's like a cult. On that, you have an opinion, and I can't really comment on that.
Honestly, from what I've read, even in books that glamorize Thompson, he was a horror to his first wife. I believe I read in one of his bios that he participated in that the police had to come to excort her off Owl Farm.
His son, on the other hand, praised his father in his eulogy, basically saying he wouldn't be who he is (a distinguished college professor) without his father. I can only assume, Juan Thompson was sheltered from the abuse of his mother, and i do believe Thompson and his ex-wife mended things up long before he got older (he even criticized himself quite frequently for his stupid behavior when he was younger.)
Your views on Thompson's suicide, believe or not, are pretty much the same as Thompsons', and my own father, with the exception of terminal disease or pain. My old man didn't blow himself away, because we didn't let him. Thompson didn't off himself because he he couldn't deal because he was burned out, he was actually working more than he had been in years, and, from what I'm to understand, depression wasn't anymore of an issue that it ever had been with Hunter. But, when you have pain that's so bad that it is insufferable, and drugs and pills can't help, you are making everyone around you upset to see you, you just basically pull your own plug for the sake of others. He didn't kill himself because he was having a bad day, is all I'm saying, and was always critical of Hemmingway for that. There's a very interesting article Thompson wrote about Hemingway that's eerie to read now.
Also, these documentaries coming out now are a little premature because it's a little too soon. When you're dealing with a guy who has just killed himself, including his widow, you probably can assume they're keeping the negatives out.
The book I have most of my info from is just called "Hunter," and it's a series of interviews without novelty, followed by some novelty by his female biographer (claiming to be his girlfriend at the time,) about how he was at that point. It's an easy read if you can find it (out of print now, I think,) almost like a documentary itself.
All that aside, WTF is up with Gary Busy? Funny or what?
Also, I like the way Hunter's funeral went. He went out with a bang! Bet all his friends had a good time as well. He sure as hell had a good time with that land he had to the bitter end-- now that he's gone, they'll start building condos-- tis sad.
reply
share