The Opium Eaters: High Literature and the Art of Addiction

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The book delves into the profound influence of opium on 19th-century literature and politics, highlighting figures like Thomas De Quincey and other Romantic and Victorian writers who grappled with addiction. It contrasts the era's casual use of laudanum with modern perceptions of drug abuse, detailing the cultural and economic ramifications of the opium trade, including its connection to the British Empire's conflicts with China. Dr. Stephen Carver explores the literary significance of opium in works like The Moonstone and examines the evolution of opium into morphine and heroin.