Rimbaud

[e_dog]

been reading some of his poetry recently, truly gifted poet genius.

though also read some strange rumours about his later adult life. does anyone know if it is reliably true that in his merchant days he was involved in human trafficking, i.e. slave trading? i have heard this said but also have heard its veracity doubted. doesn't seem to go along with the more humanist-emacipatory aspect of some of his writings though it sure would put a new, and ghastly, spin on his directives to shun morality and decency.

[Zlatko Waterman]

Dear e_dog:

Charles Nicholl wrote a whole book on the subject of Rimbaud's activities in Africa, you probably already know.

(web site--review)


http://www.geocities.com/Athens/8161/rimexpskea.html


Nicholl denies that Rimbaud was involved in the slave trade.

Like Gauguin, AR tried to leave Europe behind and anchor himself in, what was for him, more reliable "primitive" peoples and cultures.

Alas, he and Gauguin had some of the same problems shedding European institutions and neurasthenia.

Here's the Amazon.com link ( one of those long ones) to Nicholl's book:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... ce&s=books


Happy reading. Rimbaud is one of my favorites, too.

Zlatko