Reviews

Artificial Paradises by Charles Baudelaire

donaman99's review

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4.0

Baudelaire’s “Poem of Hashish” is an insightful, entertaining, and surprisingly accurate description of marijuanic effects.

Part 2 of the book, “The Opium-Eater” serves as a lovely companion to Thomas De Quincey’s “Confessions”, appreciating upon the original essay’s insights on pleasure, pain, sorrow, and addiction derived from opium use. As someone less-impressed with De Quincey’s essay, Baudelaire’s explorations upon it are making me consider reading “Confessions” again, as well as its sequel, “Suspiria De Profundis.”

Recommended for Burroughs, Thompson, Kerouac, and Huxley fans alike who wish to delve more into the foundational texts that inspired their drug-fueled narratives.

jawahir_hk's review against another edition

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3.0

actual rating 3.5
the writing!! baudelaire manages to be poetic even without meaning to.
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