The Curse of Lono (VARIA)

I am a big fan of Hunter and although this isnt the most popular book of his, it really gives you the same feel that you get from reading Fear and Loathing. Its very Hunteresque and really puts you into his shoes. Hardcover with amazing art work by Steadman too, whats not to love! Very colorful and a quick read. Highly recommend if you are a Hunter fan.

The Curse of Lono is classic Hunter S. Thompson and very entertaining. It's an easy read, fairly short and very funny. It's also classic "gonzo" journalism. As in, you know HST is in Hawaii covering the marathon and he does some crazy things, but you also understand that HST throws a few twists and turns in to make things more exciting (which may or may not have actually occurred). The artistic graphics are a little fun, but I wouldn't say they added significantly to the reading experience. HST does a good enough job with his writing so I don't really need the graphics, but they were cool. I loved the real photograph at the end that actually shows HST with his tribal mace/ club and marlin. Also, in addition to the graphics, HST adds in a few other things to add to the experience beyond his writing: letters to friends and excerpts from colonial letters about Hawaii. Though the colonial letters didn't seem to add all that much, if you're a fan of Hawaiian culture and history, it would add immensely to your experience. I skipped a few but some were fun. The whole book is a fun smorgasbord of classic HST and gonzo journalism - I recommend it!

Lono is a lost Gonzo gem. It is uneven in parts but the high notes, Hunter covering a marathon and fishing in Hawaii while seeking the old God Lono, are among his best works.Ralph Steadman's art is fantastic and surreal so the hard bound copy is recommended. Thompson and STeadman worked best together and, along with the Flying Dog beer labels, was one of their last outings. And one can see why as Steadman's sojourn goes south.

It's my most-cherished book. I won't comment on the content, just know that I will never depart with this treasure. Hunter is my all-time favorite author, so any review I give it will be biased.The shipper, though...fantastic. I would buy from them again in a heartbeat.

The problem with a writer like Hunter is all of his works are compared to "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." Whether that is fair or unfair no one can decide. This book has all the workings of Fear, but doesn't carry the punch that work did. He gets stoned, drunk, and into trouble the way in did in Fear, while trying to cover the Marathon in Honolulu. The book was hard to get and out of print for the longest time, but any fan of Thompson will like the read. The Ralph Steadman illustrations are a compliment to the book, but the essential Hunter that "The Great Shark Hunt," or "Fear and Loathing On The Campaign Trail," made famous is missing. Some of it becomes downright boring at times. The book is hard to get and expensive, maybe not worth the price. Overall, if you are not a serious fan, you could avoid the price and find other works of his to read.

Thompson at his finest crazy......a surreal and unbelievable trip only surpassed by Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas......

This is Hunter Thompson, alright, but it lacks the punch of the good Doctor's other, more well-known books. 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' is about the last refuge of the American Dream and those who were crippled in pursuit thereof. 'Hells Angels' is about a group of outcasts who redefined the American Dream for themselves when they realized that, for one reason or another, it was out of their reach. 'Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72' is about the American Dream in action (and the twisted failure the author saw in the result). Dr. Thompson's best work was done in the service of grandiose, ridiculous themes, which allowed him to be true to his own grandiose, ridiculous spirit. 'The Curse of Lono' is a skillfully researched and written Gonzo journalistic account of the author's miserable experience in Hawaii, but I think only the most dedicated of fans would find this essential reading. I'm glad I have it. I'm glad I read it. But, unless you want to read how you can spend the hellish storm season in Hawaii if you have nearly unlimited credit and almost no reservations about what chemicals go into your body, you'll be alright without it.

Love it

Yesterday was the penultimate day of my two week holiday.. What to do, what to do?I had chores to be finished (an ideal, not a necessity), but the sun was out and I'm easily led...What to do, what to do..?? [finger drum, finger drum.].Then it came to me... I thought I haven't read any Hunter S. Thompson in ages.!!Be a shame to miss such a golden opportunity on such a nice day.?!So that's when I went to Tesco's wearing my ugliest Hawaiian shirt, in search of rum!!...In this particular expose, the year of our lord is 1980, and Hunter is employed to travel to Hawaii in order to cover The Honolulu Marathon on behalf of a running magazine called...errr... 'Running'! Whilst there he decides it will be a good idea to cover a big wave surf competition, go on some big game fishing trips, and as usual, take time to discover and embrace the locals, their customs and their environ..On taking the assignment Hunter also brings along his wife and kids and then ropes in Ralph Steadman ~ his good friend and illustrator of his journalistic adventures ~ and his family too..After all what could be more relaxing than a one month all expenses paid trip to Hawaii?So armed with the travel journals/diaries of Mark Twain, Captain Cook and some other explorers I can't remember, the intrepid Hunter (with his type writer under his arm), gets aboard his aeroplane and heads for America's 50th state..Once there though Hunter soon discovers that all is not well. That Ralph has been involved in an accident, innocently cracking his back on some corral whilst paddling, and that the locals are an aggressive cavalcade of liars.And maybe worse still, that far from being relaxing, the islands are about to be engulfed by hurricanes and huge swells, and that the feared Hawaiian God of Indulgence: Lono, is potentially about to make his second coming....!Oh well... If you can't beat 'em join 'em, better find some drugs then.Curse of Lono is an extremely well written, amusing account, of the details covered in the synopsis above.Thompson's method (if you've never read him) is suitably described as gonzo or surreal, with his journalistic style mostly covering his own inner thoughts and mishaps, as he visits the different events he's employed to provide coverage of, whilst embarking on his own selfish, drug fuelled adventures, into his own egoistic heart of drunkness..Generally HST's work follows a pattern, but in this (which is very similar to say Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), as seems customary; Hunter drinks, insults the locals, buys a 300yr old Samoan war club to kill things with, takes drugs, insults the tourists, schemes on how to win a marathon without actually training for it, hooks up with a local marijuana grower, braves a hurricane whilst out at sea in the eye of the storm, and finally proclaims himself God after catching a huge marlin!While most everyone else in his party (Ralph, the family, etc) just sit back and let him get on with it!Of course you could be forgiven for saying:"Sounds great, like reading Moby Dick on hallucinogenics... But Arch why are you telling me all this, aren't you ruining the story..?"Well no, not really, because just writing down a few deeds/misadventures that he gets up to, isn't in essence what this 'story' is about. It's more about how you get there, and HST's observations and crazed exploits along the way... Like his discussions on penguin pimping or using his bullhorn to summon more ice and Wild Turkey... I suppose if you will, in answer to your question, spoiling the plot is a little like me handing you the guitar music of Jimi Hendrix on paper, then you actually listening to it!All beautifully (hideously?!) illustrated by Steadman along the way. His distinctive artwork just as prickly and disturbing as anything Thompson writes, and a fine bed fellow to his exploits..This is after all more art than strict journalism.The slightly smaller 210page Taschen release (The original HUGE limited edition goes for silly amounts probably?!) is hardback, and a lovely presentation ~ dimensions approximately 28 x 21.5 x 2.5cm, going off Amazon here. So it's still pretty big! The artwork is full colour and it also features all the original correspondences and excerpts (Mark Twain etc).Wait for a nice sunny day, find a comfy deck chair, bring whatever vice you need to the table, then get on board for a highly recommended trip into The Curse of Lono!4.5/5

The illustrations from Ralph Steadman are excellent. In my view this is on equal par with fear and loathing, the rum diary and the campaign trail. Gonzo gold, deffo worth a read if you liked his other major works. I was unsure at first as i hadn't heard much about it, why it isn't acknowledged as much as his other works- i don't know.

Definitely a must have item for any gonzo fan.The writing is as good as anything HST did and Ralph Steadman's illustrations are a joy to behold.The story is set in Hawaii where Ralph and HST are to cover a Marathon in Honolulu and then retreat for a holiday in Kona.Inevitably general madness ensues with a cast of desperate characters pushed to the edge in a tale of impending doom and substance abuse,in the face of a tropical storm.Why this book was never published in a more accessible format is strange,but it may have something to do with the length of the text (which is fairly short) and the fact that Steadman's artwork needs a larger platform to be fully appreciated.Either way.. buy the bloody thing,you can always recoup the cash on EBay or Amazon and it will probably be a better investment than most financial products in these terrible times.

Finally available in an affordable package which is still pretty high quality. Thick paper to show off Steadman's art and the lost story of Lono finally released and so Hawaiian mythology can rest easy. This one is slightly smaller than previous editions but still large enough not to carry on the bus. A long trip with Thompson and Steadman as travel buddies worthy of several reads. Free historical accounts of Cook included.

Despite that fact that he was most likely a deplorable human being, terribly company, a risk and a liability, there is very little not to love about Hunter S Thompson. This account of his time on Hawaii with Ralph Steadman is essential reading for all Hunter fans, it builds in the usual Hunter way as he gets too involved in his own story, peaks with the weather and ends beautifully, yet doesn't leave a hangover, only a mild come down when you remember that he is no more, and that the world is lacking on of it's greatest writers.

Being a huge HST fan this book was a must buy for me. The story is the roller coaster of laughs you expect from HST and the book is beautifully illustrated by the magnificent Ralph Steidman.This is a large book, approx A3 in size and is a great talking point just left of the coffee table. I love seeing people's faces as they flick through looking at the pictures wondering that it is about

One of Thompsons most thematically interesting and cohesive books, ...Lono benefits from some beautiful illustrations by Ralph Steadman. Although not the most portable, this hardback version is nicely bound and a pleasure to read making it a wonderful addition to any coffee table or bedside. If you're already a fan you'll laugh and be intrigued by the typically eccentric narrative - which is interwoven with historical snippets, legends and myths - and if you're new to the work of HST then you're in for a treat. Reasonably priced, delivered speedily and an excellent read. My only complaint, as with all of his work, is that it ended.

to be honest although a huge fan of Hunter this book does not represent him at his best ...however it is an enjoyable read and Ralph Steadmans illustrations are gross, fantastical and weird and thank heavens for that!......

I had read this on its original publication so this was a great blast from the past. Thompson & Steadman at their anarchic best.New and delivered a lot quicker then the given time frame.

Beautiful book, quality product. Arrived on time

brilllllll

Spectacular. Masterpiece of Art.

a dip into the life of a mad genius. very fun to read

Yet another fantastic collaboration between Thompson and Steadman.

Not what I was expecting for only £16, absolutely beautiful book, amazing artwork, not to mention 'top form' HST. A must for even the most casual Hunter fan. I could rave for another 40,000 words, and probably add another 20 thousand for great service from the seller.