On the Road with Penguin Classics

Confessions of an English Opium Eater with Will Self

Sep 29, 2022

Will Self, an acclaimed novelist and essayist known for his memoir 'Will,' joins the conversation to delve into the opium-soaked worlds of Thomas de Quincey and William S. Burroughs. They explore the intertwining themes of pleasure and pain in addiction, address the gothic implications of drug culture, and reflect on how personal struggles shape identity. With a humorous lens, they traverse London's literary landscape, examining the evolution of drug narratives and the socio-political undertones surrounding addiction.

01:15:41

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Will Self

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Quick takeaways

Thomas de Quincey's 'Confessions of an English Opium Eater' radically transformed public perception of opium from remedy to intoxicating substance, influencing literary figures like Poe.

The podcast highlights addiction literature's unique blend of memoir and fiction, reflecting broader societal issues and personal narratives of sin, redemption, and human suffering.

Psychogeography reveals how London’s urban landscape shapes addiction experiences, demonstrating the connection between physical spaces and individual struggles with substance use.

Deep dives

Thomas De Quincey and the Transformation of Opium's Image

Thomas De Quincey's work, 'Confessions of an English Opium Eater,' played a pivotal role in altering the perception of opium in Britain. Originally viewed as a common household remedy, De Quincey’s narrative shifted its image to that of an exotic, intoxicating substance. He detailed his intense experiences with opium, focusing on both its pleasurable highs and the profound lows associated with addiction. This transformation in representation contributed significantly to De Quincey's literary acclaim, influencing prominent figures like Edgar Allan Poe, who praised the imaginative depths of his confessions.

Intro

2min

Confessions and Reflections on Opium

22min

The Gothic Journey: Opium's Influence on Identity

9min

Exploring Addiction and Identity

5min

From Opium to Junk: A Literary Exploration

3min

Exploring Addiction and Literature in London

19min

Opium, Addiction, and Cultural Narratives

16min

Exploring Literary Dreams and Influences

3min

Thomas de Quincey & William S. Burroughs in Soho. The novelist Will Self joins Henry in London to explore the opium dreams and heroin nightmares of Thomas de Quincey’s Confessions of an English Opium Eater and William S. Burrough’s Junky. They walk from Oxford Street to Covent Garden, and along the way they also discuss The Diary of a Drug Fiend by Aleister Crowley and Will’s own 2019 drugs memoir, Will.

2022 is the 200th anniversary of the book publication of Confessions of an English Opium Eater.

Penguin Classics edition of Confessions of an English Opium Eater by Thomas de Quincey

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/34581/confessions-of-an-english-opium-eater-by-thomas-de-quincey-ed--barry-milligan/9780140439014

https://apple.co/3SDKmZI

Naxos audiobook of Confessions of an English Opium Eater, read by Gunnar Cauthery

https://naxosaudiobooks.com/confessions-of-an-english-opium-eater-unabridged/

https://apple.co/3SgGjTB

Penguin Modern Classics edition of Junky by William S. Burroughs

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/57608/junky-by-william-s-burroughs-intro-oliver-harris/9780141189826

https://apple.co/3UIuIOz

W. F. Howes audiobook of Junky read by Mark Nelson

https://www.wfhowes.co.uk/title-details/9781471212291