I have never been addicted to anything...not even caffeine, so I definitely stepped into a foreign and very disturbing world when I picked up Crowley's infamous 'Diary of a Drug Fiend'. The story this novel tells is not an easy one...not a pretty one. Yet this was certainly one of the most rewarding reads in my recent memory. It is the tale of a romance which flowers and fades under the ominous cloud of drug addiction.

It begins innocently enough...A young and somewhat insecure man suffering from a bad case of ennui discovers a glittering white powder which endows him (at least temporarily) with all the courage and vivacity that he has long craved. Anesthetized to his fear of rejection, he meets an enthralling woman who also has come to know the seemingly magical properties of cocaine. In a whirlwind of love and drug induced ecstasy, the couple travels the expanses of Europe. The descriptions of their every delight is so richly detailed, and of such lyrical depth, it effortlessly envelops, leaving the reader with a keen sense of nostalgia if not envy.

But their idyllic existence is destined to end. With equal agility Crowley depicts the couple's cruel and harrowing decent into the dark realms of addiction. The drugs which once seemed a source of never ending pleasure reveal themselves as the voracious and unrelenting tormenters that they truly are. The suffering endured by these two individuals is so utterly complete, so utterly consuming, it seems to surpass any description of hell. This book is a must read for anyone who has been tempted by drugs.

It is rather tragic that Crowley never received more credit for his talents as a legitimate novelist. His reputation as a "black magician" pares down a lot of hope of this book ever receiving due acclaim. Those adventurous enough to read 'Diary of a Drug Fiend' will almost certainly find it rewarding. My biggest problem with the novel is Crowley's rather evident intentions to use it as a means of propaganda for his belief regarding ritual and magick. Crowley even seems to write a part for himself (as the character of King Lammus) in the book in which he depicts himself as a sage and ultimately a hero. This detracts a lot from the book, but by no means ruins it. Regardless of ones opinions on Crowley this is a fine and unforgettable read.



Recommended: Yes