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A review by theesotericcamel
Confessions of an English Opium-Eater and Other Writings by Thomas De Quincey
3.0
Before there was William Burroughs and his landmark “Naked Lunch,” there was this book. “Confessions of an English Opium Eater” starts off as one but soon becomes about much more. It is in fact more of an exploration of Thomas De Quincey’s relationship between his Opium use and his creativity. He starts off by telling us of his most difficult times in his life, explaining that these circumstances might have led him to his Opium usage... However, by the end of his confessions he has changed his tune to be that these experiences helped to shape the subject matter of his opium dreams.
One should keep in mind that it was a lot more common during this era to take opium, usually in the form of Laudanum, as a sort of panacea for various maladies. Of course people were also aware of the addictive nature of opium, but it was not as exotic of a drug as it would seem to us now. De Quincey never apologises for his opium use, rather he defends it as necessary as treatment for his ailing health sustained during his years of severe poverty, and as inspiration for his writings. All the while insisting that he knows what he is doing and is in control of his usage. The last third his “Confessions” are actually recollections of some of his opium dreams, and it becomes clear that the events of his life he narrated earlier are the prime sources for a lot of the visions he experiences. His argument is that his opium dreams are erudite and artistic because it reflects his own mind and thoughts.
The edition I read also included “Suspiria De Profundis” and “The English Mail-Coach” which all seem to deal with the same subject: That of drug-influenced creativity. The essays in “Suspiria” range all over the place, but the unifier in all of these is De Quincey’s liberal use of opium. There are some stunning imagery that comes through the words throughout the various subjects. Wearing his literary influences on his sleeve, he extensively quotes from both ancient classics and the English Romantic poets throughout his prose. This creates a sense of an artistic or poetic essay... Not quite a prose poem as they are often have an analytical sense to them as well.
The same can be said to describe the “English Mail-Coach” which begins as an essay on the origins and popularity of English-Mail coaches as a form of transportation in his time. The later hald of the work however turns into a series of “dream-fugues” based on a
tragedy he experienced while riding a mail-coach. It gives the impression that he is forced to experience this tragedy again and again during some bad opium trips...
It was a bit of a dry read at certain points, especially when he recounts and boast about his excellent education and smarts, but this is counterbalanced by florid and decadent imagery the likes to rival Charles Baudelaire, who actually spoke highly of “Confessions” itself. An interesting and early look at how drugs can stimulate art and creativity, and an early look at the artistic and literary scoundrel lifestyle. Not quite the same as a rockstar, but still decadent in its own way.
One should keep in mind that it was a lot more common during this era to take opium, usually in the form of Laudanum, as a sort of panacea for various maladies. Of course people were also aware of the addictive nature of opium, but it was not as exotic of a drug as it would seem to us now. De Quincey never apologises for his opium use, rather he defends it as necessary as treatment for his ailing health sustained during his years of severe poverty, and as inspiration for his writings. All the while insisting that he knows what he is doing and is in control of his usage. The last third his “Confessions” are actually recollections of some of his opium dreams, and it becomes clear that the events of his life he narrated earlier are the prime sources for a lot of the visions he experiences. His argument is that his opium dreams are erudite and artistic because it reflects his own mind and thoughts.
The edition I read also included “Suspiria De Profundis” and “The English Mail-Coach” which all seem to deal with the same subject: That of drug-influenced creativity. The essays in “Suspiria” range all over the place, but the unifier in all of these is De Quincey’s liberal use of opium. There are some stunning imagery that comes through the words throughout the various subjects. Wearing his literary influences on his sleeve, he extensively quotes from both ancient classics and the English Romantic poets throughout his prose. This creates a sense of an artistic or poetic essay... Not quite a prose poem as they are often have an analytical sense to them as well.
The same can be said to describe the “English Mail-Coach” which begins as an essay on the origins and popularity of English-Mail coaches as a form of transportation in his time. The later hald of the work however turns into a series of “dream-fugues” based on a
tragedy he experienced while riding a mail-coach. It gives the impression that he is forced to experience this tragedy again and again during some bad opium trips...
It was a bit of a dry read at certain points, especially when he recounts and boast about his excellent education and smarts, but this is counterbalanced by florid and decadent imagery the likes to rival Charles Baudelaire, who actually spoke highly of “Confessions” itself. An interesting and early look at how drugs can stimulate art and creativity, and an early look at the artistic and literary scoundrel lifestyle. Not quite the same as a rockstar, but still decadent in its own way.