Frank Olson Murder

[Keith Millea]

Regarding LSD, recall Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters, how Tom Wolfe held them at arm's length, of course he wouldn't take the drug--it would tarnish his vaunted objectivity, yet the impression was left that there was nothing substantial here, all sweetness and light, no darkside potential.

Phil,
I agree with your analysis here.The only "darkside episode" in the book to me was when the bus was heading to Houston,to hook-up with Keseys friend,author Larry McMurtry.This is when "Stark Naked",the passenger who according to Wolfe,went over the edge.Wolfe just glides by this episode.Maybe there was not much more to say on the matter that was relevent to him in his storyline.It did indeed leave a sour taste in my mouth.Here is what his declaration states;

" And there,amid the peaceful Houston elms on Quenby Road,it dawned on them all that this woman-which one of us even knows her?-had completed her trip.She had gone with the flow.She had gone stark raving mad".

And then this;

"Stark Naked had done her thing.She roard off into the void and was picked up by the cops by and by,and the doors closed in the County psychiatric ward,and that was that,for the Pranksters were long gone". :hmpf: