Oscar Wilde (The Oxford Authors) [Paperback]

Oscar Wilde (Author), Isobel Murray (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 019281978X | ISBN-13: 978-0192819789 | Publication Date: September 28, 1989

Though the drama of Oscar Wilde's life has for many years obscured the artistry of his work, recent critical and biographical studies have generated renewed interest in his writings and created a demand for a new, up-to-date scholarly anthology. This fully annotated volume, the latest in the acclaimed Oxford Authors series, is the first comprehensive edition of Wilde to provide the information necessary to appreciate the wealth of knowledge and allusion upon which his writing stands. In addition to his most famous works--The Picture of Dorian Gray, Lady Windermere's Fan, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Critic as Artist, and The Ballad of Reading Gaol--this edition includes a wealth of other fiction, drama, critical dialogues, and poems. Like the other Oxford Authors titles, this edition includes a critical introduction, a chronology, and suggestions for further reading.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The publication of a selected edition of Oscar Wilde in the Oxford Authors series allows readers and teachers the welcome choice of well annotated and partially authoritative versions of some major texts arranged categorically by genre....Will serve splendidly as an introductory text."--English Language in Transition

From the Publisher

Founded in 1906 by J.M. Dent, the Everyman Library has always tried to make the best books ever written available to the greatest number of people at the lowest possible price. Unique editorial features that help Everyman Paperback Classics stand out from the crowd include: a leading scholar or literary critic's introduction to the text, a biography of the author, a chronology of her or his life and times, a historical selection of criticism, and a concise plot summary. All books published since 1993 have also been completely restyled: all type has been reset, to offer a clarity and ease of reading unique among editions of the classics; a vibrant, full-color cover design now complements these great texts with beautiful contemporary works of art. But the best feature must be Everyman's uniquely low price. Each Everyman title offers these extensive materials at a price that competes with the most inexpensive editions on the market-but Everyman Paperbacks have durable binding, quality paper, and the highest editorial and scholarly standards. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 672 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (September 28, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019281978X
• ISBN-13: 978-0192819789
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,776,040 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Story of How to Enjoy Life and Be Miserable -- All at Once, February 2, 2003

By 

paisleymonsoon (Tulsa, Oklahoma) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Oscar Wilde : Including My Memories of Oscar Wilde by George Bernard Shaw (Paperback)

I picked this book up in a used book store for [money] more than when it was purchased new in 1960. The pages literally crumbled as I turned them, but I couldn't put the book down. I was enthralled with the life of Oscar Wilde. Now, this biography isn't one written years after the subject's death from scraps of information. No. This is written by a very close friend of Wilde's, Frank Harris. In being written by someone of such closeness, it lends credence to the harsh words the author had to say of Wilde. Harris calls him lazy and slothenly. Of course, Wilde caused quite a sensation in his time. He was imprisoned under other pretenses, but mainly because he was a homosexual in a time period when this was not acceptable. Oscar was one who did not care what others thought of him. He was determined to live a life of pleasure and to make money doing things that he liked: writing and speaking. However, he did a great deal of leaching off of others. There's no denying Wilde's genius. I have yet to read any of his works except for a short essay entitled "The Soul of Man Under Socialism." To me, the thoughts seemed profound. But Harris says that Oscar never said or wrote anything original; he merely took other people's thoughts, meshed them together, and said them in a more profound way. This is a biography that reads like a fine story. Harris is a great writer and has more first-hand knowledge of his subject than any other biographer that I've read. I'd reccomend this book to others without reservation.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The best life of Oscar Wilde", said George Bernard Shaw., July 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Oscar Wilde : Including My Memories of Oscar Wilde by George Bernard Shaw (Paperback)

"The best life of Oscar Wilde", said George Bernard Shaw after reading this book. I cannot but agree with him utterly. No unnecesary data is wasted, no long reflexions bore us. It's just an Oscar's very close friend telling us with great elegance and delicacy the story of one he has admired and loved so much, but without fear of saying the truth. Amicus Plato, sed magis amica veritas. Of course, the reader has to know Mr Harris is the true "lead actor" in the story he's telling us, always supporting the Truth and the Right. But one can easily forgive him for that in reward for the great moments un Oscar's life he's saved from oblivion and darkness. A wonderful work of art itself, this biography must be read by every admirer of that Prince of Charm Oscar Wilde was. X. Careaga

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars biography as art, April 20, 2005

By 

Pit O'Maley "Moon Man" (Alameda, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Oscar Wilde : Including My Memories of Oscar Wilde by George Bernard Shaw (Paperback)

One cannot improve upon the remarks fore-mentioned of George Bernard Shaw's. Long before public figures of no talent were thrust upon us, literate minds instead of marketeers gathered around the chosen few as johnny-come-latelys and would rarely disappoint. This is a thrilling,gripping read.Style,tact and endless grace in words for a tragic,painful public artist run throughout this personal account.Much can be gained from savoring this moment in time if one aspires celebrity and fame and wants to avoid its dizzying pitfalls.