The Importance of Being a Wit: The Insults of Oscar Wilde (Paperback)

~ (Author), Maria Leach (Compiler) "Thirty-five is a very attractive age..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Oscar Wilde was the master of the studied insult. His jabs at hypocrisy, pretense, and boring conventionality still have a penetrating power. His snubs and put-downs became the talk of his time, no less by his targets than by Oscar Wilde himself. This collection features over 750 biting comments gathered from the master's works. Illustrations throughout.

Product Details

• Paperback: 153 pages
• Publisher: Carroll & Graf Publishers (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786704241
• ISBN-13: 978-0786704248
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,654,481 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A HANDY AND NASTY LITTLE COMPILATION, February 27, 2002

By	Luciano Lupini (Caracas Venezuela) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This small book is very big in biting power. It is a compilation of witty and revealing bits of Oscar Wilde's genius. If you don't want to sift through all Wilde's works, or the dog ate his books that you had in the basement, or maybe at your age you don't remember the fundamental lessons that you read about style, wit and life by this English gentleman THEN YOU MUST BUY THIS BOOK.
A comprehensive little manual that will enable you to outwit your opponents and reach the epythome of the educated insult (which is very interesting because you will be able to start insulting your boss, without any consequences. Or maybe you will be promoted...)

9 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Never be left without something pretentious to say again.., June 11, 2000

By A Customer

Ever wanted to be one of those know-it-alls at parties with those great haughty insults and witty remarks?

Buy this book and never worry again. Definatly a good buy. Fun, Funny, and Educational (?). If you like Oscar Wilde, you'll like this book.

2 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Rather Boring Collection of 'Jokes', June 24, 2005

By	Michael Dunne - See all my reviews

I must admit that I have never held Oscar Wilde in much esteem as a serious writer. My sister is a fan and she bought this book. I had a browse through and it is what I had expected. This book will appeal to those who imagine themselves as intelligent and sophisticated. Although they may be entertained, they will learn nothing of consequence. Do not be fooled by Wilde's pseudo-philosophical style. There is nothing to be gained from a reading of this book besides mild, and brief, entertainment, or the satisfaction of knowing you can apprieciate the wit of a supposed intellectual, who is in fact nothing of the sort.

I would also like to correct a mistake I noticed in a previous review. Oscar Wilde is not an 'English Gentleman' - He is in fact from Ireland.