Rum Diary

Today's book is rather like the over looked brother of another book. However, things are looking up for our friend rum diary as it is set to hit the big screen soon with Johnny Deep in the lead. The book whom's shadow rum diary is in is Fear and loathing in las Vegas. Both are works by Hunter S. Thompson with heavy drinking journalists as the protagonist.
The rum diary was actually Thompson's first published novel but enough of the boring stuff, what was it like to read?
Well after seeing the name Thompson on the front cover I thought I knew what I was in for, I wasn't. Some books race at an unrelenting pace seemingly scared of losing the reader's attention, others are so over descriptive that it takes pages for a character to just enter a room and start talking. This was different, when a friend asked me to describe it I found myself saying 'imaging you are floating gently down a river, surrounded by beautiful scenery and your rather sozzled'. Strange eh? But on reflection this metaphor is rather analogous to the journey Thompson takes you through. It feels like a lot happens but slowly, not slowly it is only 200 pages long, perhaps sedately or unhurried. Which fits perfectly with the idyllic scene set; sun, beaches, plan trees and plenty of rum.
Unlike fear and loathing this isn't about a self destructive man on the edge rather more someone coming to terms with his own short comings. I think the protagonist is written very truthfully, he isn't a man you would aspire to but possibly the man you could be, there is something very real about Paul Kemp.
For the relaxed Caribbean world it drags you into I would say that this is worth the read. If you can grab a seat in the sun and this book you can have many 'mini breaks' off to Puerto Rico.
Happy reading
Ed