Artificial Paradises

Charles Baudelaire, the poet of the darker sides of life and author of the infamous 'Flowers of Evil', also gave us this short book: here is a description of, a tribute to, and reprimand for the use and the abuse of drugs. Hashish, opium and alcohol are a way to open the creative channels, to reach beyond the everyday material realities - and Baudelaire is our tour guide. These substances can create earthly paradises, but after all these are only artificial, passing, and all too often they will make our lives a Hell on earth.