Customer Reviews

The Green Carnation

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I found the story and subtle yet obvious revelations of the green carnation to be a tantalising glimpse into the subtlety of sexuality in the eighteen hundreds. I recommend it as indolent, decadent and a complete delight for any one interested in an insight into the lives of Oscar Wilde and Alfred Douglas.

I first became aware of this lovely and witty book in excerpt as part of a collection of Decadent writings. I am delighted to finally have received a complete copy. I have just finished reading it through and I am delighted. I don't have any great insight into this light and lovely work. It is not an intellectual work, nor an in-depth examination of the heart = only a bubbly flute of champagne in which to decadently bathe. (however, you may wish to trade the champagne for a lovely, green glass of absinthe.)

Read this charming book aloud in the orchid house of your local botanical gardens. By all means, wear a green carnation while reading.

For a companion volume, try "Against the Grain" or Wilde's own "Salome'" or "The Woman Covered in Jewels".

As a satire on the spirit of Oscar Wilde, "The Green Carnation" is definite overkill. Hichens' own epigrammatism lacks the grace and subtlety of Wilde's wit and wisdom, and he drags wall-to-wall his assays into cleverness whether or not they are appropriate to develpment of the context. Disappointing.