True confessions.... (Confessions of an English Opium Eater - Thomas de Quincy)

Member Name: baboon

Product:	Confessions of an English Opium Eater - Thomas de Quincy
Date:	15/05/01 (2489 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fascinating, Good read

Disadvantages: Tendency to digress can get a little annoying at times

When when this book was published in 1821, Thomas De Quincy was in his mid 30's, but already had over 10 years experience of opium addiction. At the time it was seen as scandalous because its unapologetic depiction of drug use having both positive nd negative effects.

Thomas de Quincy was born into a wealthy Manchester based merchant family, and spent his formative years in private grammar schools. However when he is 17 his life takes an unexpected twist as he decided to jack it all in and go travelling around Wales. A following period of poverty in London ensues and eventually De Quincy ends up at Oxford.

While at Oxford he begins to suffer from a persistent toothache. A friend suggests Opium. Then things start becoming interesting...

De Quincy starts using opium recreationally, and this is where Cofessions really starts to get to grips with its subject matter. He outlines the effects of the drug on himself, and pulls no punches. He tells us why he loves the drug, but he also tells us of the horrific after effects he began to experience after long term use.

The book is ahead of its time in its insight into the human mind and the way it is stimulated. Years before Timothy Leary talked about "set and setting", De Quincy was dicussing how the effects of opium differed according to his mood and surrounds. A particular discovery which delighted him was that it increased his enjoyment of music, which is resonant with todays dance culture and its use of drugs.

Although De Quincy waxes lyrical about the delights of his drug of choice, this is not a piece of promotional literature. Towards the end of his long term usage he describes, in great detail, the horrors that were permeating his dreams. The talk here is of bleak, unescapable darkness. Importantly here, and again ahead of its time, is the psycoanalytical nature of these passages. De Quincy sees a direct relation between his depression, his addictiona and wha
t he sees when he sleeps.

The books itself is written in flowing, imagery laden prose. However, it can be hard going at times as De Quincy has the habit of digressing off in bizzare tangents, and often the footnotes cover half the page.

To conclude: a fantastic book, and offers a great insight into the author's experiences and philosphies. Its not preachy, nor is it pro or anti drugs. It seems to me to be a very honest piece of work.

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