OSCAR WILDE THE DOVER READER


My familiarity with Oscar Wilde is based primarily on his plays. What college theatre student isn't familiar with The Importance of Being Earnest which generally leads to reading some of his other works. Only one other play is included in this collection (which, honestly, was a little disappointing), that being An Ideal Husband.

For the most part, this book is a decent sampler of all that Wilde had to offer and interested readers can certainly seek out more pretty handily. The only work of fiction that I had previously read was The Picture of Dorian Gray (and that reading was decades ago), and the non-fiction was completely new to me.

However, what I took away from reading through this was that my impression of Wilde has changed greatly since my college play reading days. Whereas he at one time seemed so clever and witty, I now see a man who was so completely full of himself.  What was once clever repartee now seems out of place - as if really all he wanted to do was be quotable. When looking at these one-line quotes in his work, it's easy to see how they can get pulled out and put in quote books. But looking at the work as a whole, most of these quotes seem out of place with the characters or situations.  It was eye-opening. It was disappointing.  Am I just more jaded today? Or just less impressed with someone clearly highly intelligent but so full of himself?  I couldn't help but be reminded of a few people I know, which didn't help my reaction (and no ... no one who is reading this, so don't bother asking).

The best piece in this book ... the most honest piece ... was "De Profundis" a lengthy letter written by Wilde, from prison, to Lord Alfred Douglas (friend and lover). Here Wilde shows his intelligence but without the sassy wit. That wit is what got him in trouble, thinking he could flaunt who and what he was, even though it was illegal at that time (sounds like someone in todays' news - flaunting their illegal activities and surprised it has caught up to them). The letter is honest and his hurt is genuine.  Though I don't get the impression that he realizes yet that he only has himself to blame.

(Please note that I completely disagree with the reasons Wilde was imprisoned ("gross indecency" - ie same-sex relations or homosexuality) but like it or not, it was a law and many were being punished for it, so flaunting it, just because you are someone of some fame, seems more than a little risky.)

Overall, this book unfortunately had the opposite affect on me as one would hope from a sampler.  I went from thinking I generally liked Wilde, to not being so interested in reading more of his works.

This book contains the following:

Fiction
The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890)
The Devoted Friend (1888)
The Happy Prince (1888)
The Selfish Giant (1888)
The Birthday of the Infanta (1891)
The Fisherman and His Soul (1891)
The Star-Child (1891)
The Young King (1891)
Plays
An Ideal Husband (1895)
The Importance of Being Earnest (1895)
Nonfiction
The Decay of Lying: An Observation (1891)
De Profundis (1897)

Looking for a good book? Oscar Wilde Dover Reader is a sampler of Oscar Wilde's work. Take that as you will.  This reader came away with less interest in reading Wilde ever again.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

2-1/2 stars

* * * * * *

Oscar Wilde Dover Reader

author: Oscar Wilde

publisher: Dover Publications

ISBN: 9780486791227

paperback, 560 pages

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