In an interview on Las Vegas

Like Fear and Loathing, Leaving Las Vegas was made into a major Hollywood movie. Tell us about this novel by John O’Brien (no relation).

I saw the movie first and thought it was a depressing but beautiful film. The book is a short, beautiful novel, a sad and beautiful love story. Usually, red flags go up for me when I see a Vegas book or movie with a prostitute and a drunk as the two main characters – it’s a bit clichéd and I’m bored with those kind of tales. But there was something different about Leaving Las Vegas. It felt real.

It’s about a man who comes to the city to drink himself to death. The author committed suicide himself, two weeks after finding out that his first book would be made into a film. How depressing is this book?

The protagonist, Ben, is at least loosely based on O’Brien from what I’ve read about him. He had a drinking problem and I wouldn’t be shocked if he went in a similar way to the character Ben. The novel is sad but there’s something about finishing a beautiful book that leaves you fulfilled in some strange way. That’s how I felt after finishing Leaving Las Vegas.

How important are intoxicants to the life of the city and its industry?

Probably not as important as people think. Vegas has changed over the years – we’re getting more of the typical American couple and even families. They come out here not even necessarily to gamble. Non-gambling revenue recently passed gambling revenue. People are coming out here more for the restaurants, the shows, the shopping and the spectacle of the Strip. But of course alcohol is [often] free if you’re at a slot machine or a gaming table. It still is that place where people come to party.