fear and loathing in the vaults

 

 

Lunchtimes with Terry invariably involve a descent into the gloomy depths of The Post Office Vaults. You wouldn't know it was a pub from the outside. Just an anonymous door in a busy street of shops at the centre of Birmingham. But down its stairs lies a vast collection of bottled beers, some of which boast eye-watering alcoholic strength.

 

This lunchtime I have with me a newly-purchased copy of , 'A Life in Ink', a fantastic book packed full of illustrations by the legendary Ralph Steadman.  I first came across Ralph's work when reading Dr. Hunter S. Thompson's gonzo novel, 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'.

 

The new book proves a perfect aperitif for the Belgian beer that follows!

 

 

 

 

simple pleasures - the gallery

 

 

simple pleasures no. 5 - fear and loathing

I love this book! I know I shouldn't but I just love it. It's the story of a journey to the heart of darkness in America fueled by copious quantities of mind-blowing drugs and fast cars. It's written by the late Hunter S. Thompson, one of my all-time favourite authors, and illustrated by Ralph Steadman in his hallmark 'Francis Bacon meets Salvador Dali' style.

I retrieved my copy from the bookshelves to take a photo and now I just have to re-read it. Who could possible resist this as an opening...?!!!!'

 'We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold. I remember saying something like, 'I feel a little light-headed; maybe you should drive...' And suddenly there was a terrible roar all around us and the sky was full of what looked like huge bats, all swooping and screeching and diving around our car, which was going about a hundred miles an hour with the top down to Las Vegas.'

©  1971 Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas