Hunter S. Thompson (aka Raoul Duke)

A journalist (or, as he terms it "a doctor of journalism") sent by a New York magazine to cover a motorcycle and dune buggy race in Las Vegas. He is the narrator of the tale. We never see him without his personality and thought processes under the influence of several narcotics. He is a disillusioned idealist, a product of the 60's who finds it difficult to resign himself to the 70's.

Even though he is in a constantly intoxicated state, Thompson observes his environment closely. Despite his perceptiveness, he never assumes the position of a reserved, objective witness. He sees the profligacy of Las Vegas and reacts to it with a combination of sardonic humor and grief. Perhaps even more significant than his emotional responses to the outside world, is Thompson's readiness to immerse himself in whatever is going on around him. In...