When I was about 12 I found a book with an exciting (but strange) title at the village library. "The Confessions of an Opium-eater" by Thomas de Quincey! (1821.) (what on earth is opium? And does it taste good?) I read it with a mixture of fascination and horror. (especially the different stages of opium intoxication.) And regularly went back to read it! (hoping the librarian wouldn´t see what I was reading.)
And this is Thomas! (looks as bit like mr Hyde.) A very talented writer. And Oxford drop-out! (lived like a tramp for a while.) At 20 or so he got stuck in Laudanum. And appear to have been addicted for the rest of his life! (but still manageing to publish articles and some books. And to get married and have 8 children.)
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