Does the habit of taking drugs make authors write better, or worse, or differently? Does it alter the quality of their consciousness, shape their imagery, influence their technique? For the Romantic writers of the nineteenth century, many of whom experimented with opium and some of whom were addicted to it, this was an important question, but it has never been fully answered. In this study Alethea Hayter examines the work of five writers - Crabbe, Coleridge, De Quincey, Wilkie Collins and Francis Thompson - who were opium ...
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Does the habit of taking drugs make authors write better, or worse, or differently? Does it alter the quality of their consciousness, shape their imagery, influence their technique? For the Romantic writers of the nineteenth century, many of whom experimented with opium and some of whom were addicted to it, this was an important question, but it has never been fully answered. In this study Alethea Hayter examines the work of five writers - Crabbe, Coleridge, De Quincey, Wilkie Collins and Francis Thompson - who were opium addicts for many years, and of several other writers - notably Keats, Edgar Allan Poe and Baudelaire, but also Walter Scott, Dickens, Mrs Browning, James Thomson and others - who are known to have taken opium at times. The work of these writers is discussed in the context of nineteenth-century opinion about the uses and dangers of opium, and of Romantic ideas on the creative imagination, on dreams and hypnagogic visions, and on imagery, so that the idiosyncrasies of opium-influenced writing can be isolated from their general literary background. The examination reveals a strange and miserable region of the mind in which some of the greatest poetic imaginations of the nineteenth century were imprisoned.
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Seller's Description:
This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has soft covers. In good all round condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 450grams, ISBN: 0571095941.
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Seller's Description:
Good. 5 1/2 x 8. 388 pages, w/illustrations. A study of effect of opium addiction on the creative imagination of 8 known authors. Prior owner name in ink on front free endpaper, otherwise unmarked, tight and clean. Good + copy.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. 388 pages. "Does the habit of taking drugs make an author write better, or worse, or differently? For the Romaantic writers of the 19th century, many of whom experimented with opium and some of whom were addicted to it, this was an important question, but has never been fulled answered. This book examines five writers, Crabbe, Coleridge, De Quincey, Wilkie Collins, Keats, Poe, Baudelair, Walter Scott, Dickens, Mrs. Browning, James Thomson and others.
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Seller's Description:
Acceptable. Acceptable condition. Good dust jacket. (Opium Use, Romanticism, Literary Criticism) A readable, intact copy that may have noticeable tears and wear to the spine. All pages of text are present, but they may include extensive notes and highlighting or be heavily stained. Includes reading copy only books. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. First paperback edition. Small octavo. 388pp. Modest wear and a bit of soiling on the wraps, thus very good. Examines the relationship between drugs and creativity, specifically through nineteenth century writers.
