Paul Kemp is a fictional character created by author Hunter S. Thompson in the novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. He is a journalist who embodies the chaotic and hedonistic lifestyle often associated with the counterculture of the 1970s. The character's experiences reflect the tumultuous social and political climate of the time. In the story, Paul Kemp travels to Las Vegas to cover a motorcycle race, but he quickly becomes entangled in a world of drugs, excess, and surreal adventures. His journey serves as a critique of the American Dream and the disillusionment that many faced during that era.