HST was famously protective of his copy, so I don’t think editors affected his copy too much in the prolific days, maybe earlier on. And rightly so. No editor would be able to tap the subtlety of his language or the subtext of what he wanted to be heard. Great portions of Campaign Trail and FLLV were dictated and and then read back to him to ensure he got across exactly what was intended. To edit HST without direction would be to draw a Hitler moustache on the Mona Lisa and expect that the Maestro be happy with it.

Simon

What a great take on this piece. I got to thinking, would more of Hunters writing be similar to this if it were not for the editors?

Also a great comparison between Ralphs and Hunters work, there is an eerie similarity between their own unique forms of art.

Thanks for the comment Simon, stay in touch.

It’s more like drunken stream of consciousness scrawled down in a notebook in between Margaritas with Beer chasers. Certainly, a fine piece of writing, exhibiting more life through it’s use, or abuse, of a ragged approach to sentence structure and grammar. Almost like the writer wanted you to experience the writing process, the heady scene that was being sampled at the time. Like Gonzo taken one step further, subjective journalism that draws in the reader in raw and edged way.

In summary, it reads how a Steadman picture looks, chaotically serene, beautifully ugly, well-informed ignorance. A sneak attack on your senses.

Keep up the blog, it is a great service you do us.

Your friend,

Simon