Inspiration for Rimbaud Novel - PART TWO

THE INSPIRATION FOR  

Delirium: The Rimbaud Delusion

PART TWO

So, having had the first burst of inspiration re the potential discovery of La Chasse Sprituelle, (see last week's blog) I needed further aspects of the story I was to write.

I remembered an incident that happened some time ago in Berlin. I was in the park near Zoo with my Nigerian friend, Bowale, and we got talking to a wild-eyed young man who told us he was under the control of a magician. We went with him to his apartment for coffee but couldn’t stay long in case his magician friend came home.

Rimbaud Manuscript

The boy told us this mysterious man had a knack of tapping his —the boy’s— forehead and singing a jingle to control him. He would develop a headache and do what the man instructed. Though he appeared terrified, he refused to leave this maleficent puppet-master.

I was never sure whether this story had any truth in it or whether it was simply the deranged ramblings of a somewhat confused youth, but the idea stuck with me. 

Another What if?

What if it was true and he was being controlled by a powerful Trickster?  

Here was an incident that was a gift for a novelist and I never forgot it. It has rolled around my subconcious for years waiting for the right literary vehicle to come along. When I started writing the Rimbaud novel it hitched a ride - a ride that seemed a perfect fit.

So, out of a chance encounter half a lifetime ago in a park in Berlin, sprang Albert the Magician and Rimboy his protégé.

And another part of Delirium: The Rimbaud Delusion took shape.

~

Next week - Part Three: Break on through to the other side...

Rimbaud