Tab Article

ratings: (4.9/5)
Genre: Classic Literature, Drama, Comedy, Satire, Plays

Book Review:
Oscar Wilde was one of the most brilliant wits in the English language, and this collection gathers his greatest theatrical triumphs. The centerpiece, of course, is 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' a play so perfectly constructed, so sparkling with epigrams, and so delightfully absurd that it is often called the greatest comedy in the English language. Its plot—involving two young men who invent fictitious personas to escape social obligations, a handbag mistaken for a baby, and the revelation that being ''earnest'' is more complicated than it seems—is a masterpiece of comic invention. Lines like ''To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness'' are woven into the fabric of our culture. But the other plays in this collection are equally rewarding. 'Lady Windermere's Fan,' 'A Woman of No Importance,' and 'An Ideal Husband' are ''society comedies'' that dissect the hypocrisy and double standards of Victorian morality with wit and surprising emotional depth. 'Salome' is a very different work—a dark, poetic, and sensual drama originally written in French, exploring the destructive power of desire. This Penguin Classics edition, edited by Richard Allen Cave, is superb. The introduction and notes provide invaluable context, illuminating the plays' themes and Wilde's innovative staging. The inclusion of the excised 'Gribsby' scene from 'Earnest' is a treat for scholars and enthusiasts. Whether you are a longtime admirer of Wilde or a newcomer to his work, this collection is an essential addition to any library. It is a testament to the enduring power of a writer who could make an audience laugh and think at the same time.