Arthur Rimbaud: Kniven at My Throat

Charles Nicholl reconstructs the hidden years of poet Arthur Rimbaud's life after he abandoned poetry and Europe for a merchant's existence in Africa. The biography focuses on Rimbaud's time in Aden and Ethiopia during the 1880s, drawing from letters, documents, and local historical records. The narrative traces Rimbaud's transformation from teenage literary prodigy to gun-runner and trader in East Africa. Nicholl examines Rimbaud's business ventures, travels, and relationships through careful research and investigation of primary sources. This account maps the physical and psychological territory of Rimbaud's exile, following his movements through desert trading posts and ancient cities. The biography includes historical context about the colonial powers, local politics, and commerce of the region during this period. The book reveals the connections between Rimbaud's earlier artistic rebellion and his later quest for wealth in Africa, suggesting complex motivations behind his dramatic life changes. It raises questions about identity, reinvention, and the relationship between art and commerce.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Charles Nicholl's overall work: Readers praise Nicholl's ability to blend deep historical research with engaging storytelling. On Goodreads, multiple reviewers highlight his talent for bringing historical figures to life through small details and contextual insights. What readers liked: - Thorough research and primary source documentation - Clear, accessible writing style for complex historical topics - Balance of academic rigor with narrative flow - Integration of travel writing with historical investigation What readers disliked: - Some find his detailed tangents slow the pacing - Occasional repetition of information - Complex web of historical characters can be hard to follow Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: "Leonardo da Vinci" (4.0/5 from 1,200+ ratings) "The Reckoning" (4.1/5 from 800+ ratings) Amazon: Average 4.3/5 across titles Notable reader comment from Goodreads: "Nicholl has a detective's eye for detail and a novelist's sense of atmosphere. His exhaustive research never weighs down the narrative."

Verlaine: A Biography by A.E. Carter The story of Rimbaud's lover and fellow poet includes their tumultuous relationship and shared artistic journey through the streets of Paris.

Total Eclipse by James Ivory This narrative follows Rimbaud's final years in Africa, incorporating letters, documents, and eyewitness accounts to piece together his mysterious later life.

The Time of the Assassins: A Study of Rimbaud by Henry Miller Miller's examination of Rimbaud's life and work draws connections between the poet's rebellious spirit and the creative process.

Illuminations: The True Story of Paul Verlaine and Arthur Rimbaud by Enid Starkie A reconstruction of the poets' relationship uses police records, letters, and witness statements to document their destructive romance and artistic collaboration.

Season in Hell: My 130 Days in the Sahara with Al Qaeda by Robert Fowler A journalist's account of captivity in North Africa traces the same desert landscapes where Rimbaud spent his final years as a gun runner and trader.

🌟 Charles Nicholl spent three years tracking Rimbaud's footsteps across three continents, including walking the same Ethiopian trade routes the poet traveled as a merchant. 🌟 The book reveals that Rimbaud worked as a gun-runner, circus performer, and deserter from the Dutch colonial army before becoming a respected trader in Africa. 🌟 The title "Kniven at My Throat" comes from a line in Rimbaud's poem "Night of Hell," reflecting both his poetic intensity and later dangerous life in Africa. 🌟 Author Charles Nicholl is known for his investigative historical works, including his acclaimed book "The Reckoning" about Christopher Marlowe's death, which won the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger Award. 🌟 While researching the book, Nicholl discovered previously unknown documents about Rimbaud's trading activities in the archives of the Royal Geographical Society in London.