Subject
Drug addicts -- Fiction Books
Best books
Robert E. (Robert Ervin) Howard
Skull-face
"Skull-Face" by Robert E. Howard is a work of fiction written in the late 1920s and falls within the genre of weird and horror tales. The narrative introduces Stephen Costigan, an American hashish addict who becomes entwined in a dark web of drug use, visions, and sinister characters. Throughout the story, the presence of a chilling and enigmatic antagonist, known as the Skull-Faced Man, looms large, suggesting themes of addiction and moral decline amidst a backdrop of tension between Eastern mystique and Western civilization. The opening portion of the story illustrates Costigan's haunting dreams influenced by hashish, leading him into encounters with fantastical and horrific imagery, including the Skull-Faced Man and a beautiful girl named Zuleika. As he struggles with his addiction and the surreal experiences that come with it, he finds himself drawn into a world of opium dens, danger, and malevolent forces. His gradual awakening to the reality of his situation hints at deeper plots involving drug trafficking and a powerful, shadowy figure who seeks to manipulate him. The narrative explores themes of despair, the consequences of addiction, and a burgeoning mysterious plot that promises danger and intrigue.
Jean Lorrain
Monsieur de Phocas, Astarté: Roman
"Monsieur de Phocas, Astarté: Roman" by Jean Lorrain is a novel published in 1901. The Duke de Fréneuse, a jaded aristocrat and ether addict, confides his intimate journal to a narrator. Within these pages, he reveals his obsessive quest for a mysterious "glaucous transparency"—a green light first glimpsed in ancient eyes. This pursuit leads him through precious gems, portraits, and masks, into encounters with the malevolent Claudius Ethal. A cornerstone of Decadent literature, the novel explores decay, perversion, and phantasmagoric visions in fin-de-siècle society.
George O. (George Oliver) Smith
Hellflower
"Hellflower" by George O. Smith is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story revolves around Charles Farradyne, a disgraced space pilot who is entangled in a deadly game involving a powerful and intoxicating flower known as the Hellflower, which has the ability to manipulate human desires. As Farradyne grapples with his past and seeks redemption, he is drawn into a dangerous world where emotions can lead to destruction, making for a gripping narrative filled with intrigue and moral complexity. The opening of the novel introduces us to Charles Farradyne, a once-esteemed pilot who has fallen from grace after a tragic accident involving the spacecraft Semiramide, which resulted in the death of thirty-three people. Lost in the squalor of Venus, he meets Howard Clevis from the Solar Anti-Narcotics Department, who offers him a chance to regain his former life by infiltrating a criminal gang involved in trafficking the Hellflower. As Farradyne navigates his new reality, he encounters the complicated and emotionally charged presence of Norma Hannon, a woman whose life has been irrevocably altered by the substance he seeks to dismantle. Their tumultuous relationship sets the stage for a thrilling exploration of addiction, hatred, and the quest for redemption.
Richard Wilson
The Big Fix!
"The Big Fix!" by Richard Wilson is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. This book delves into the complex relationship between addiction and the search for an alternate reality, centered around a drug called uru, which serves as both a substance and a key to another world. Through its narrative, the novel addresses themes of escapism, telepathy, and the human condition, set against the backdrop of a society grappling with the consequences of drug use. The story follows Barry, a former junkie navigating his life in a grimy city, searching for something more fulfilling than his existing addiction. He encounters Jones, a mysterious pusher who introduces him to uru, a hallucinogenic dream that transports him to the idyllic planet Uru. As he becomes entrenched in this new world and life as Boru, the Fighting Man, he finds both beauty and violence intertwined in the exhilarating experiences. However, the deeper he immerses himself, the more he realizes the darker implications of this paradise and the distinction between a high-stakes sport and moral integrity. Ultimately, he is faced with a critical choice: remain in Uru or return to Earth, leading to an exploration of identity, purpose, and the illusory nature of such "escapes".
Wilbur S. Peacock
The Thing of Venus
"The Thing of Venus" by Wilbur S. Peacock is a science fiction novel written during the early 1940s. The story unfolds on Venus, a planet shrouded in mystery and danger, as it follows Val Kenton, a disgraced and drug-addicted former Space Patrolman, who is reluctantly drawn back into action to rescue a marooned group of Earthlings, including his former love, Elise. The narrative explores themes of redemption, vengeance, and the struggle against both external and internal demons. As the tale progresses, Val Kenton must confront not only the perils of the hostile Venusian environment, populated by bizarre and predatory creatures, but also his own turbulent emotions surrounding his past betrayals and relationships. When Kenton is tasked with locating Elise, who has been stranded with others in a dangerous area after their ship is attacked, he must battle his own hatred towards those who wronged him as well as the monstrous, amorphous creature that threatens their lives. Ultimately, Kenton experiences personal growth through his mission, transforming from a man consumed by bitterness to one willing to make sacrifices for the sake of others, culminating in a selfless act as he confronts the unstoppable force that embodies the very dangers of Venus.
George O. (George Oliver) Smith
The hellflower
"The Hellflower" by George O. Smith is a novel written in the early 1950s. This science fiction narrative revolves around a disgraced space pilot, Charles Farradyne, who is approached by Howard Clevis from the Solar Anti-Narcotic Department for a risky job. The story seems to explore themes of redemption, substance addiction, and the consequences of one’s past decisions in a futuristic setting where space travel is commonplace. At the start of the book, we find Charles Farradyne living in the desperate conditions of a fungus field on Venus, having lost his pilot's license after a tragic accident that caused numerous fatalities, including a significant loss related to narcotics operations. When Clevis arrives to offer him a new chance—alongside a forged pilot's license—Farradyne grapples with his bitter memories and the weight of his reputation. As he reluctantly accepts the job to infiltrate a drug operation tied to the dangerous love lotus, the narrative sets the stage for tension, personal conflict, and the exploration of Farradyne's character as he navigates through his past mistakes and the gritty underworld he’s being drawn back into. The opening hints at both exciting space adventures and deep emotional undertones as Farradyne embarks on what could be a path to redemption or further despair.
Isabel Ecclestone Mackay
Up the Hill and Over
"Up the Hill and Over" by Isabel Ecclestone Mackay is a novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story appears to follow the experiences of Dr. Callandar, who embarks on a journey through a picturesque countryside while wrestling with personal challenges, mental fatigue, and physical discomfort. As he travels, he meets various characters, including a small boy and a mysterious young woman named Esther Coombe, who may significantly impact his life and perspective. The beginning of the novel introduces Dr. Callandar as he struggles with the heat and weight of his knapsack while walking between two towns, Wimbleton and Wombleton. He encounters playful children, the distaste of the small boy toward academics, and a firm, intriguing woman who prohibits him from using a local water pump. These initial interactions set a tone of light-heartedness interwoven with deeper themes of struggle and connection, laying the groundwork for Callandar's evolving character and the dynamics that will unfold as he reaches the town of Coombe. As he arrives, he becomes entangled in the lives and troubles of its inhabitants, hinting at a narrative rich in character development and human experiences.
Joseph Samachson
The Addicts
"The Addicts" by William Morrison is a science fiction novella written in the early 1950s. The story unfolds aboard a lonely asteroid lighthouse where the protagonist, Jim Palmer, struggles with his addiction to a drug called marak, which is both pleasurable and debilitating. The central theme revolves around addiction and the lengths Palmer is willing to go to ensure his wife, Louise, shares in his euphoric experience, reflecting on love, dependency, and the contrasting attitudes towards life and death. The narrative follows Palmer and Louise as they navigate their precarious existence amidst looming death due to external threats from alien creatures. Palmer believes that by making Louise an addict as well, he can cure her unhappiness caused by their dire circumstances. However, in a twist of fate, Louise cleverly administers an antidote to Jim, forcing him into sobriety and a clearer mindset. As he grapples with the harsh reality of their situation without the comforting veil of marak, he ultimately must confront the external dangers waiting outside the lighthouse. The story culminates in a dramatic irony where, liberated from addiction, Jim's newfound clarity allows him to take decisive action against the threats, even as he longs for the joy marak once provided.
W. J. (William J.) Matthews
The Derelict
"The Derelict" by W. J. Matthews is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. Set against the backdrop of Mars, it follows Geoffrey Thorne, a once-esteemed space pilot who has fallen into a life of despair and substance abuse after being marooned on the planet. The narrative explores themes of redemption, the consequences of addiction, and the struggle for self-worth amidst overwhelming odds. The story begins with Thorne in a dismal state, rescued from the beach by tourists who see him as a derelict. Despite his past glories which include pioneering important space routes, he is now defined by his addiction to the dangerous Martian drug known as t'ang. As he encounters a compassionate woman named Helen Thurland and a Martian friend named Hanu, Thorne is forced to confront his failures and the possibility of change. Ultimately, his journey leads him into the Martian desert where he discovers a long-lost treasure—the valuable Vadirrian oil—which symbolizes hope and renewal, yet his path to redemption is filled with doubt about whether he can truly change and return to the society that cast him aside. The climax reveals not only Thorne's physical struggles but also his quest for inner peace and redemption as he grapples with his identity and potential future.
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