Oscar Wilde
'It would be unfair to expect other people to be as remarkable as oneself'
Wilde's celebrated witticisms on the dangers of sincerity, duplicitous biographers, the stupidity of the English - and his own genius.
One of 46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. Each book gives readers a taste of the Classics' huge range and diversity, with works from around the
67) De Profundis
72) Salome
Oscar Wilde's adaptation of the biblical story delves into Salome's character and motivations when she requests the head of John the Baptist as a reward after dancing the dance of the seven veils. To her mother, Herodias's delight, Salomé's father, Herod, finds he must grant her this request.
Originally published in French, Salome was one of Oscar Wilde's most controversial plays, as it depicted scenes straight from the Bible on stage. Translated
...73) The happy prince
Taking...
The Irish are arguably the most literate people in the world. The number of famous Irish authors, from Joyce to Trevor and from Goldsmith to O'Brien, is a clear testimony to that. In this rich selection, we have concentrated on some of the early Irish writers who were particularly adept at the art of writing good short stories.
Stories range from Gerald Griffin's chilling tale, The Brown Man, to the delicate and closely observed...
A lord, his wife, her admirer and an infamous blackmailer converge in the irreverent satire that launched Wilde’s succession of classic social comedies. This delicious comic feast serves up a scandal about good girls, bad husbands and hilarious hypocrisy - utterly contemporary and divinely funny.