I remember discovering "The Electric Kool Aid Acid Test" in my high school library. I eventually stole it by taking out the plastic-encased metal security dingy and devoured it more. I read it over and over until the paperback fell apart. It introduced me to a world so foreign and sparkly and rusty dangerous and yet so real. RIP Tom Wolfe for bringing us into your worlds of observation and intrigue.
The way you speak about that book reminds me of my equally teenage love of Kerouac (Might be a virtual right of passage for my age range). I got in well enough with the small Ontario town high school librarian to gain access to the “banned books” they stowed in the back but never disposed of. Wolfe lived back there as well as a number of notable Canadian and American poets. I hope I don’t sound too assuming when I say that I think I know exactly what you mean.
Just to chime in: Although I'm a big reader, I finally got to Kerouac when I was married and in my 30s. It simply did not click by the time I was that old! I agree that you have to hit it at the right time in your life - not necessarily a numerical age, of course.
I’m not really fussed by ‘wallflowers transgression, but I find rationalizing stealing from a public library by posting in an a Gucci tech/business website a bit problematic.
I never really thought about it that way back then. You are right. I will buy a few copies of this book and leave them in the train stations or on park benches. Thanks.
