Artificial Paradises
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I’ve always been fascinated by Charles Baudelaire and Decadent artists in general.
There’s something about them that I find tremendously appealing to me. Maybe it’s because Decadence emerged from the ruins of Romanticism — or at least I think so — which is a movement I love. Maybe it’s because it’s a modern movement, but not Modernism, yet.
What I’m sure about is that I really like it.
Artificial Paradises is composed of two parts: an essay on the use of wine and hashish, and translation/revisitation of De Quincey’s Confession of an English Opium Eater.
What comes out is an accurate description of how mind altering substances can enrich or lower a person. And he really knew about it since he died an opium addict.
One thing I really loved about this book is how well written are descriptions about the hallucinations given by different drugs — mainly swallowed opium.
Baudelaire wrote about those experiences from an outside point-of-view, but we can tell they are almost for sure — or at least in part — his own experiences.
It’s a wonderful read for those who, like me, are fascinated by Decadence. Plus, it’s a great essay on drugs and wine viewed from another point-of-view.
Another wonderful read from Baudelaire bibliography is Les Fleurs Du Mal.
This post was written 2 years, 6 months ago on December 19th, 2005 mid-afternoon.
