A road movie based on on tom wolfes book of the same name, in which author ken kesey takes a crosscountry trip to see the worlds fair in new york. It recounts the adventures of ken kesey and the merry pranksters, who were known for using psychedelic drugs, especially lsd. The electric kool aid acid test questions and answers. The question and answer section for the electric koolaid acid test is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. The electric koolaid acid test bibliography gradesaver. Believe it or not, the electric koolaid acid test just. Wolfes other nonfiction works included radical chic. Magnolia will release the film on a vod platform before a theatrical release, which the distributor used on. The electric koolaid acid test is a nonfiction book by tom wolfe that was published in 1968. As documented in tom wolfes electric koolaid acid test, kesey and his crew experimented with lsd all over the country and thumbed their noses at convention. Aug 05, 2011 magic trip is a realtime documentary, cobbled together from 40yearold film, about a crosscountry trek just prior to the big hippie invasions of the midtolate 1960s.
Ken keseys search for a kool place, a film by alex gibney and alison ellwood, reconstructs footage of keseys 1964 crosscountry bus trip. Gus van sant says hes still working out how to make the. Gus van sant says hes still working out how to make the electric koolaid acid test. The electric koolaid acid test 1968 became a classic of 1960s counterculture. Published in 1968, this book went beyond documenting one mans decline into the hippie drug scene. One of the most essential works on the 1960s counterculture, tom wolfes the electric kool aid test is the seminal work on the hippie culture, a report on what it was like to follow along with ken kesey and the merry pranksters as they launched out on the transcontinental bus tour from the west coast to new york, all the while introducing acid then legal to hundreds of likeminded folks.
The harsh reality behind the merry pranksters magic trip mpr news. Magnolia pictures acquires ken kesey lsd documentary magic trip. Tom wolfe wrote the electric koolaid acid test about ken kesey, a promising young writer. Tom wolfes the electric kool aid acid test ushered in an era of new journalism, an american classic newsweek that defined a generation. Due to the chaos of the trip and editing difficulties, the footage of their journey was not released as a movie until the 2011 documentary film magic tripalthough the bus featured prominently in tom wolfes 1968 book the electric koolaid acid test. While the bus trip became the stuff of legend, the film record of it.
Sep 16, 2011 for a couple of years now, van sant, and milk writer dustin lance black, have been linked to an adaptation of tom wolfes nonfiction classic the electric koolaid acid test, which. The electric koolaid acid test questions and answers. As documented in tom wolfes electric kool aid acid test, kesey and his crew experimented with lsd all over the country and thumbed their noses at convention. The question and answer section for the electric kool aid acid test is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.
Syd barrett the breakdown of syd as told by his sister and band members radio broadcast 090611 duration. Keseys trip provided the basis for tom wolfes nonfiction novel the electric koolaid acid test and was also documented, after a fashion, by the participants, proponents of the notion that life was a movie in which everyone or at least each of them was a star. The electric koolaid acid test tom wolfe 1001 books. Everybody, everybody everywhere, has his own movie going, his own scenario, and everybody is acting his movie out like mad, only most people dont know that is what theyre trapped by, their little script. May 02, 2014 originally published in the guardian on 2 may 1969. Dec 22, 2016 i was in high school when the electric koolaid acid test was published in 1968. However, i didnt read it until the mid70sbut i definitely remember the impact it had. One of the most essential works on the 1960s counterculture, tom wolfes the electric koolaid test is the seminal work on the hippie culture, a report on what it was like to follow along with ken kesey and the merry pranksters as they launched out on the transcontinental bus tour from the west coast to new york, all the while introducing acid then legal to hundreds of likeminded folks.
Magic trip is a 2011 documentary film directed by alison ellwood and alex gibney, about ken kesey, neal cassady, and the merry pranksters. It detailed how the gifted writer accidentally ignited the social movement that was then thriving all over the country. I want to reread the electric kool aid acid test after buying this dvd and refer back and forth. Tom wolfes electric koolaid acid test, published in 1968, evocatively reconstructed ken kesey and the merry band of pranksters crosscountry bus trip of four. The electric koolaid acid test received praise from some outlets.
Magic trip reconstructs footage from ken keseys bus. How ken keseys lsdfuelled bus trip created the psychedelic 60s. I had drunk our great cultural koolaid about regret, which is that lamenting things that occurred in the past is an absolute waste of time, that we should always look forward and not backward, and that one of the noblest and best things we can do is strive to live a life free of regrets. Tom wolfe wrote the electric koolaid acid test about ken kesey, a promising young writer, during keseys. Tom wolfes the electric koolaid acid test, a book that has become mythologised as the. The worlds first acid film, as tom wolfe explained, taken under. The electric koolaid acid test movie movie insider. Tom wolfes electric kool aid acid test, published in 1968, evocatively reconstructed ken kesey and the merry band of pranksters crosscountry bus trip of four. Listenmovie revisits ken keseys trip to see america. This study guide consists of approximately 42 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the electric kool aid acid test. The electric koolaid acid test by tom wolfe librarything.
Tom wolfes book the electric koolaid acid test was an excellent account of ken keseys fabled road trip of 1964 and its aftermath, but it was also the product of secondhand reporting, and the more the tale has been told over the years, the more flawed the chronicles have become. It really does breathe new life into tom wolfes book. Unknown artist the electric koolaid acid test discogs. This both makes you more skeptical of everyday society they dont have the revelation. How ken kesey, merry pranksters, and lsd invented the 60s. One flew over the cuckoos nest author ken kesey orchestrates a crosscountry trip with a group called the merry pranksters. Kesey was in flight from a drug charge at the time. One of the most interesting and exciting books i have ever read, the electric kool aid acid test grabbed me and brought me to the world of the merry pranksters. In 1964, ken kesey, the famed author of one flew over the. Still, we saw the film another way, by reading the electric koolaid acid test, mr. How ken keseys lsdfuelled bus trip created the psychedelic. I want to reread the electric koolaid acid test after buying this dvd and refer back and forth. Magnolia pictures acquires ken kesey lsd documentary magic. The electric koolaid acid test 2011 gus van sant tom.
Tom wolfe wrote about the trip in his book the electric koolaid acid test, and it attained mythic status as. Tom wolfes book the electric kool aid acid test was an excellent account of ken keseys fabled road trip of 1964 and its aftermath, but it was also the product of secondhand reporting, and the more the tale has been told over the years, the more flawed the chronicles have become. As i recall from reading the electric koolaid acid test by tom wolfestrangely not mentioned here even though it covers the same territory in high schooldid i ever mention that i had the. Tom wolfe chronicled their early escapades in the electric kool aid acid test. May 14, 2018 everybody, everybody everywhere, has his own movie going, his own scenario, and everybody is acting his movie out like mad, only most people dont know that is what theyre trapped by, their little script. But to all but the merriest nostalgists, it doesnt pass the electric koolaid acid test. Chronicling countercultures acid test tom wolfe wrote about ken keseys lsd experiments in the book the electric koolaid acid test. Kesey a frustrated hollywood actor according to his friend, fellow novelist. The trip, immortalised in tom wolfes book the electric koolaid acid test.
The electric koolaid acid test is best if you blow through the first fifty pages and take your leisure with the rest. Originally published in the guardian on 2 may 1969. Magic trip tries to immortalize their journey to a larger extent than the film is able to support. One of the most fascinating segments of the film was early on when they delved into how kesey was turned onto lsd.
Alison ellwood and alex gibney in new york last month for the premiere of their movie magic trip. The acid test of retrieving 1960s roadtrip footage. One of the most fascinating segments of the film was early on. One of the most interesting and exciting books i have ever read, the electric koolaid acid test grabbed me and brought me to the world of the merry pranksters. Never letting anything like structure tell him how to play out his movie. The electric koolaid acid test 2011 gus van sant tom wolfe tyrone rubin film show. This study guide consists of approximately 42 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the electric koolaid acid test. Unknown artist the electric koolaid acid test 1986.
The electric koolaid acid test study guide contains a biography of tom wolfe, quiz questions, major. For a couple of years now, van sant, and milk writer dustin lance black, have been linked to an adaptation of tom wolfes nonfiction classic the electric koolaid acid test, which. Magic trip, a new film by alex gibney and alison ellwood, tells the story of novelist ken keseys 1964 road trip across america in a painted bus with a troupe of fanciful hippies and legendary beatnik neal cassady at the wheel this bus trip was immortalized in tom wolfes 1968 bestseller electric koolaid acid test, which is also currently in production as a gus van sant film this will. Its a time capsule, and its a highly informative one for those of us who werent there. The electric kool aid acid test is best if you blow through the first fifty pages and take your leisure with the rest. The electric koolaid acid test by tom wolfe, paperback.
New york its appropriate that the grateful dead song truckin is heard over the end credits of magic trip. The electric koolaid acid test chapter iii the electric. Chronicling countercultures acid test tom wolfe wrote about ken keseys lsd experiments in the book the electric kool aid acid test. Read tom wolfes brilliant descriptions of the grateful dead. In addition to its literary significance, the electric koolaid acid test had immense social implications. I was in high school when the electric koolaid acid test was published in 1968. In 1964, author ken kesey and the merry pranksters set off on a road trip in a modified school bus they dubbed furthur and laid the foundation for the counterculture, the summer of love, and the woodstock phenomenon. He came off as incredibly ranty, and needlessly verbose, in a sometimes distracting way.
A film adaptation of the book is in development for a 2011 release. The book is remembered today as an early and arguably the most popular example of the growing literary style called new journalism. So far, no casting decisions have been announced, but both woody harrelson and jack black are being considered to star as kesey. Discussion in drug books started by electrickoolaid, nov 14, 2010.
A movie adaptation of that book has been in development with gus van. Magic trip codirector alison ellwood says tales of. As i recall from reading the electric kool aid acid test by tom wolfestrangely not mentioned here even though it covers the same territory in high schooldid i ever mention that i had the. But his short tale if you consider 411 pages short is all about the movie. A look at the the electric koolaid acid test behindthescenes crew and production team. The electric koolaid acid test work by wolfe britannica. They drive in a psychedelically painted bus from california to visit the worlds fair in new york in 1964. The films director gus van sant last directed dont worry, he wont get far on foot and the sea of trees. The electric koolaid acid test tom wolfe 1001 books to.
The movie magic trip is a recent release, with heavy keysey family involvement and approval, it is the best that these folks could do with all the old footage. To purchase the electric koolaid acid test and read more about tom wolfes adventures with ken kesey, the merry pranksters, and the grateful dead, head here. Tom wolfes journey to the nexus of 60s counterculture. Theres equal information in the introduction as in the meat of the story, but less of the fun, and a little more cruelty to the real people behind wolfes new journalism report. The electric koolaid acid test is an adventure in style, in history, in perspective. Read tom wolfes brilliant descriptions of the grateful. One hypothesis that i think wolfe points at in electric koolaid acid test is that lsd keeps you constantly convinced youre on the verge of some great revelation that will change everything. The electric koolaid acid test study guide contains a biography of tom wolfe, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Tom wolfes the electric koolaid acid test ushered in an era of new journalism, an american classic newsweek that defined a generation. Mar 28, 2019 in 1964, author ken kesey and the merry pranksters set off on a road trip in a modified school bus they dubbed furthur and laid the foundation for the counterculture, the summer of love, and the woodstock phenomenon. Opinion keseys trip, in living color the new york times. The electric koolaid acid test image 14 in full freaking dayglo. Like all things of expectation, it wasnt what i thought it would be.
1540 239 1491 1518 1140 442 1008 615 1370 118 256 867 893 99 242 1225 1137 1146 215 698 1502 200 1236 1277 948 220 54 427 1181 633 443 327 989 110 414 603 750