The Hashish Club

“The Hashish Club” by Théophile Gautier

Gautier’s account of a drug trip, which he relates as a kind of waking dream.  Gautier founded the club with Jean-Jacques Moreau de Tours, the infamous doctor who theorized that dream and madness were psychologically identical states.  Gautier himself claims to have been interested in the creative inspiration fostered by hashish use.  However, despite the vivid imaginary, this essay, as well as an earlier one, “The Opium Pipe,” lack the craftsmanship and narrative punch of Gautier’s non-drug-inspired tales.    

READ THE STORY ONLINE (in FRENCH)

Check out a Print Version:

(English)  Gautier, Théophile.  “The Hashish Club.”  The Marijuana Papers.  Ed. David Soloman.  Panther, 1969.  

(French) Gautier, Théophile.  “Le Club des Hachichins [The Hashish Club].” Récits fantastiques. [Fantastic Tales]. Paris: Flammarion, 1981.