Author: Juan F. Thompson
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, 2016
My Source: Carmichael’s Bookstore
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a
famous parent? How about a famous parent with a reputation for being eccentric?
Well, this memoir tells one man’s account of growing up with a famous writer for
a father, a man notorious for his eccentricities and rages, as well as his
charm and generosity. Specifically, Juan F. Thompson gives the reader a glimpse
into the 41 years he had with his father, Hunter S. Thompson.
On the first page, even before the Preface, Juan includes
the poem, Forgiving Our Fathers by Dick Lourie. This meaningful poem ostensibly
summarizes the way Juan feels about his father and prepares the reader for what
is to come in the following pages.
In the Preface, Juan clarifies that this is a memoir
dependent upon his personal memories, and memories can be imprecise. With that
in mind, Juan shares his memories of his father from his early childhood until
the time of his father’s death as an adult. In so doing, he reveals as much
about his own personality and vulnerabilities as those of his father. Juan
comes across as a sensitive and quiet man who desperately wanted his father’s
love and approval throughout his life. As I read the book, I was struck by Juan’s
bravery in taking the reader on a journey into his family’s private world, both
the good and bad parts.
In a brief biographical sketch, Juan introduces the
reader to Hunter for those who are unfamiliar with his work and reputation. In
it he writes, “He was an alcoholic, drug addict, and a hell raiser, but he was
also a brilliant writer and craftsman of the language, facts overshadowed by
his Wild Man persona.” Juan adds that Hunter was first and foremost a writer
before all other things including a father.
Juan spent most of his childhood afraid of and angry with
his father. He feared Hunter because of his unpredictable rages that could be
provoked by anything and everything. Juan walked on egg shells all the time. Juan
was angry with Hunter for not taking an interest in him and for what Juan viewed
as bullying and manipulating his mother. When he was about 12, his parents’
marriage started to fall apart and Juan witnessed many vicious verbal arguments
between the two of them often including throwing and breaking things.
As Juan became an adult his relationship with his father
changed. He stopped hoping for the intimate relationship he longed for and
learned to accept what Hunter could give. Simply spending time together engaged
in an activity was his father’s way of showing him love and respect. They
shared a love of guns and made cleaning guns a ritual they took part in
together. Examining his past relationship with his father led Juan to reflect
upon his current relationship with his teenage son. His son is similar to
Hunter in that he does not like to discuss his feelings, so Juan focuses on sharing
activities with him.
Juan, an IT guy in real life, has a strong writing style
although very different from that of his father’s. I found this book
fascinating and devoured it in two days. It satisfied my curiosity for
information about the infamous writer. I think Hunter would have been proud of
Juan’s book because Juan told his truth and Hunter was all about reporting the
truth from the point of view of the writer.
Rating:
4 out of 5 high fives
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