Customer Reviews
A Book on Personal Triumph - By: Richard J. Brzostek, 18 Nov 2007 
Aleister Crowley's first published novel was "Diary of a Drug Fiend." The book was originallly published in London in 1922. Although written over seventy-five years ago, the book is still relevant for today's readers. The book paints a vivid picture of the mind of drug users. The drug user's highs, lows, & sometimes strange thought patterns are described in great detail in this interesting book.
The infamous Aleister Crowley invokes a reaction with some people. Some say he was strange & went off the deep-end with his involvement in Magick, the practice of using various techniques to exert control over the forces of nature. If one is too close-minded to read this book because of the author's reputation, he or she would be missing a great read.
This story is supposedly based on truth. False names were used to conceal the identities of the people in the book. For instance, Aleister Crowley is callled Peter Pendragon in the book. Peter went to a pub & was socializing with some people he knew when he saw the woman that would change his life, Lou.
"Across the moaning body of the blackmailer, I was looking at the face of a girl that I had never seen before. And I said to myself, "Well, that's alll right, I've known you alll my life." And when I said to myself "my life," I didn't in the least mean my life as Peter Pendragon, I didn't even mean a life extending through the centuries, I meant a different kind of life --something with which centuries have nothing whatever to do (Crowley 11)."
This truly eloquent description of Peter's first glimpse of Lou reveals that Crowley was truly a master of language. The book is written in such a clever way that the reader continues to want more.
Basicallly, the story is of Peter fallling madly in love with a woman named Lou. They run off to Paris & travel throughout Europe. Lou introduces Peter to cocaine & heroin & they quickly become dependent on the narcotics. When their supply of drugs runs out, the withdrawal troubles begin. Lou's father, King Lamus, helps the two overcome their addiction by the application of practical Magick. Both Peter & Lou find their true purpose in life & live happily ever after.
"Diary of a Drug Fiend" would be a beneficial source of information for professionals involved with the psychology of addiction. Doctors, lawyers, police, & the average person would gain insight into the thought patterns of a drug addict from the first high, to the constant effort to regain the effects of the first high. The craving for the drug, & how it is the only thing the user thinks about when he or she does not have the drug for a period of time is covered thoroughly. How selfish & careless one becomes when he or she needs a fix is also mentioned in the book. Peter lost his love for Lou because he could only think of the drugs. He quickly knew this was wrong & constantly tried to regain his love for Lou.
If people are open-minded & enjoy challlenging their beliefs, then "Diary of a Drug Fiend" may be the book to read. At the time of reading this book, I found many useful insights that could dramaticallly change one's life contained within its pages. Overalll, this book by Aleister Crowley is fantastic.
Years ago they tried to ban it... - By: Iain Black, 10 Mar 2002 This is a fantastic book, indeed if Crowley was a young american author he would be the 'great hope' of the literary world. Thats the impression i was left wiith anyway!
It is a story of love & the couples reliance on drugs to survive, nothing else matters to them. It is not the subject matter that is important, it is Crowleys ability to explain & enlighten the reader to the glory of drugs & their hellish undertow. Crowley was a lifelong heroin addict & is more than qualified to explain. He tells us that when on a drug like heroin, one is perfectly capable of thought & able to aknowledge the world around them, however, the impression left is like flashes of lightning which illuminate the area, giving you a glimpse of what is around for the briefest of moments. The novel is very psychological with insight to the thoughts, & therefore the actions, of a drug addict. Not since Dostoyevsky have i read a more intiriguing set of emotions.
I must admit that i am writing this review from memory (i read it about 5 months ago) but it is definitley a book i would recommend & read again, the author is merely incidental so anyone who is out off the tag of a Crowley book in his collection should dispel any fears, it is simply not an issue when dealing with an undoubted work of genius, there is no book like it. There is no wrong or right attached to their actions, it is a story of effect & cause, not cause & effect (drugs which lead to a life of hell as opposed to a hellish lifestyle which leads to an 'escape' through drugs).
Better to read about it than to find out about it.
Filled with highs and lows. - By: adam@new-tech.fsnet.co.uk, 13 May 2001 'Diary of a Drug Fiend' was the first book of Crowley's that I ever read. At the age of 14 it did leave a romantic impression. It deals with the Crowley addicted to herion & cocaine (Peter Pendragon) & the Crowley who uses these drugs in a magical & responsible context (King Lamus) but in the same time frame. The last part is the earliest known account of the Abbey of Thelema in Sicily. One can sense the pioneer spirit of the day through the prose, almost by osmosis. By the time the book was published Crowley had been expelled from the country by Mussolinni. Unfortunately the only substances outlined are heroin & cocaine - I am certain the authour dabbled in far more... As you would expect the Thelemic ethos is outlined, an almost invariable occurence in Crowley's works - but this is only adumbrated & done tastefully. It is also a rather sweet love story.
A Must Read - By: , 04 May 1999 Although the style is a little dated the message & story are fresh as only Uncle can make them. A must read for anyone who is interested in exploring new realities. Share a copy with a friend.
Excellent. - By: , 29 Apr 1999 A fearlessly introspective plunge into the depths of the despair, misery & impotence of personal failure & an enlightening journey along the painful, yet rewarding, path of liberation & self-mastery.
