HarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics. 'I here present you, courteous reader, with the record of a remarkable period in my life...' The 'Confessions of an English Opium Eater' is both a classic of the English autobiographical genre and a hard-nosed study of the effects of drugs on an artistic mind. A close associate of William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the brilliant but troubled de Quincey recounts both the pleasures and pain of opium addiction in captivating prose. The result is by turns enlightened, nightmarish and witty - a faithful mirror of the drug itself. - Highly collectible, these must-have classics should feature in every family's home library. - Striking and recognizable black and white cover designs, achieving stand-out impact on the bookshelves against the competition. Features include: - A glossary of Classic Literature: Words and Phrases, adapted from the Collins English Dictionary. - A Life & Times section, detailing information about the author, their work and the time of publication. - A History of Collins, exploring the heritage and established reputation of Collins as a publisher of Classic fiction.