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Book Cover for: Confessions of an English Opium-Eater (Collector's Edition) (Laminated Hardback with Jacket), Thomas de Quincey

Confessions of an English Opium-Eater (Collector's Edition) (Laminated Hardback with Jacket)

Thomas de Quincey

Collector's Edition Laminated Hardback with Jacket

A mind caught between brilliance and ruin unravels in a world shaped by opium's intoxicating grip. What begins as a cure for pain soon transforms into a seductive escape, leading the narrator through visions of dreamlike beauty and into the depths of despair. Each confession is a glimpse into the restless corridors of addiction-at once poetic, haunting, and disturbingly vivid. With prose that shimmers between euphoria and agony, the narrative pulls readers into the fragile space where indulgence becomes obsession and the mind teeters on the edge of madness.

Blurring the line between memoir and literature, Confessions of an English Opium-Eater was a groundbreaking work and one of the first to expose the seductive yet destructive power of addiction. Thomas De Quincey's vivid confessions captivated 19th-century readers, shedding light on opium use at a time when its dangers were little understood. His lyrical, hallucinatory prose influenced generations of writers, from Edgar Allan Poe to Charles Baudelaire, shaping the modern psychological narrative. More than just a personal account, the book stands as an enduring reflection on pleasure, pain, and the shadows lurking within the human mind.

Book Details

  • Publisher: Revive Classics
  • Publish Date: Mar 25th, 2025
  • Pages: 92
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 9.00in - 6.00in - 0.38in - 0.65lb
  • EAN: 9781998736966
  • Categories: PsychologicalBiographical & AutofictionWorld Literature - England - 19th Century

About the Author

de Quincey, Thomas: - Thomas De Quincey, born in Manchester in 1785, was an English essayist and literary critic renowned for his evocative prose. After attending prestigious schools, he enrolled at Oxford's Worcester College in 1803 but left without earning a degree. During his time at Oxford, De Quincey developed a profound admiration for the Romantic poets, particularly William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.​In 1809, De Quincey moved to Grasmere in the Lake District, immersing himself in the literary circle of the Lake Poets. His personal struggles with opium addiction culminated in the publication of Confessions of an English Opium-Eater in 1821, a work that brought him immediate fame. Beyond his confessions, De Quincey contributed essays and articles to various periodicals, showcasing his versatility as a writer.​Despite his literary achievements, De Quincey faced financial difficulties throughout his life, often exacerbated by his opium dependency. He spent his later years in Edinburgh, where he continued to write prolifically until his death in 1859. De Quincey's works have left an indelible mark on English literature, influencing subsequent generations of writers.