Read more
Oscar Wilde's early fame ensured that throughout his short life he was written about by many of those he met. He was celebrated - or mocked - as the master of the ingenious epigram, the provocative paradox, the witty aside or the extravagant conceit.
In researching his monumental biography of Wilde Matthew Sturgis found, in every major archive, sheets of foolscap in Wilde's distinctive handwriting, setting down a series of unfamiliar epigrams - unpublished try-outs. There were fascinating new discoveries.
He uncovered dozens of unfamiliar and previously ungathered anecdotes about Wilde: sidelights on his days in Oxford, London, America and Paris and beyond, by society hostesses, men-about-town, actors, lawyers, minor litterateurs, artists and politicians, diligently setting down his actions, his mannerisms and above all his sayings.
The items in this volume are all small additions to the Wilde story: some unfamiliar, others unexpected, they enrich and alter the picture of his life.
About the author
Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900) was born in Ireland and later attended Trinity College Dublin. His plays captured a wide audience in England; his dialogue was marked with skill and ingenuity. He was a homosexual, and was tried and found "guilty" of it, and spent two years in prison at hard labour on account of it. He was exiled to Paris and died at age 46.
Summary
This riverrun edition includes the hitherto uncollected works by one of the twentieth century's most celebrated writers.
Foreword
This riverrun edition includes the hitherto uncollected works by one of the twentieth century's most celebrated writers.
Additional text
Wildeana is an intriguing, entertaining miscellany of recollections, letters, descriptions, skits, about Oscar Wilde by his contemporaries, as well as scraps of his own writing. An enlightening collection, perfect for dipping into, for Oscar Wilde fans and newcomers alike.
