Literary Las Vegas

A sunset is reflected against the window of a pedestrian bridge, creating a mirage on the Mirage hotel and casino in Las Vegas. Known for bright lights and gambling tables, Vegas has also served as a literary inspiration.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Oct. 24, 2015 6 AM PT

The Flamingo casino is a literary jackpot. It’s been a setting for Tim Powers’ novel of the supernatural, “Last Call,” as well as “Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!,” the nonfiction work by and about renowned scientist Richard Feynman.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Visitors make their way through the Midway at Circus Circus, featured in Hunter S. Thompson’s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.”

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Acrobats from China swing high above the crowd in a duo aerial strap performance on the Midway at Circus Circus, which was immortalized in Hunter S. Thompson’s 1971 book “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.”

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Visitors walk past the merry-go-round made famous in “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.”

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

A man is caught in a mosaic of color and light on the Las Vegas Strip.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Mark Pearce, left, has breakfast with friends at the Peppermill Restaurant on Oct. 13. MacArthur “genius” fellowship recipient Dave Hickey has been known to hold court at its Fireside Lounge, debating art, culture and Las Vegas with every person who enters his sphere.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Brian Hewitt and Anne Flagg enjoy the ambience of the Fireside Lounge at the Peppermill Restaurant.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The Mob Museum features a selection of bestsellers and works on organized crime, law enforcement and local history, along with author talks and book signings.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The Mob Museum in Las Vegas occupies what was originally a city post office/courthouse. There, you might pause to consider Truman Capote explaining in “In Cold Blood” how the murderers were caught: They mailed their blood-soaked clothes care of general delivery, and the police watched them claim the box.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The gift shop at the Mob Museum sells books on the mafia and Las Vegas history.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The Guardian Angel Cathedral, designed by Los Angeles architect Paul Revere Williams, stands along the Vegas Strip.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The Guardian Angel Cathedral was featured in Richard Rodriguez’s “Darling: A Spiritual Autobiography.”

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Housed at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, the Beverly Rogers, Carol C. Harter Black Mountain Institute sponsors fellowships, readings and panels.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Vegas is exciting and all, but sometimes you just need to get away. Members of the Wilcox and Pilimai families point out a pair of American coots at the Clark County Wetlands Park, nine miles from the Las Vegas Strip.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)