THE 13 FAMOUS BOOKS OF OSCAR WILDE - GEOGRAFÍA - 2024

Today I come with a list of the 13 most famous books by Oscar Wilde, a whole collection of incredible stories that most likely you will not miss. The name Oscar Wilde is probably familiar to you, since he is one of the most famous writers in all of history.

Born in Dublin (1854) in the middle of the Industrial Revolution, where from a very young age the art of letters was instilled in him: his mother was a lover of reading who organized literary meetings that little Oscar attended.

It would not take long to find a place thanks to his intellect and the purchasing power of his family at Oxford University. It was there where he began to write his first texts. But it would not be until the early 80s when he published his first productions such as the play Vera or the Nihilists.

His incredible success would lead him to produce different texts in prose, theaters and even the occasional poem that, today, are known throughout the world. You may also be interested in this list of books of various genres.

Oscar Wilde's best books

Prose

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890)

Without a doubt, his greatest and most recognized work. In his first and only novel, Wilde recounts the boring and tedious life of a young aristocratic boy. But this changes the moment they give him a painting with his portrait.

Coinciding with artistic creation, Dorian indulges in the most mundane vices of Victorian London. The mystery lies in the moment in which he realizes that his excesses are reflected in his painting, while he remains intact from wear and tear.

With this book you will be able to reflect on the myth of eternal youth and the vices and vanities that it can bring.

The happy prince and other tales (1888)

First set of collected stories from Oscar Wilde. It was written in 1888 and contains a total of five. Some of the most famous stories you can find are The Nightingale and the Rose or The Selfish Giant.

1. The happy Prince
2. The Nightingale and the Rose
3. The selfish giant
4. The faithful friend
5. The famous rocket

The Crime of Lord Arthur Saville and Other Stories (1891)

Compilation of five stories from which we can highlight the ghost of Canterville - a spirit that terrorizes a group of Americans in a castle -.

Likewise, the portrait of Mr. WH was the last story to be included in this booklet, since it did not appear in the first editions.

1. The Crime of Lord Arthur Saville
2. The Canterville Ghost
3. The sphinx without a secret
4. The millionaire model
5. The portrait of Mr. WH

A House of Pomegranates (1892)

Book thought to be the continuation of The Happy Prince and other stories. This time you will find a total of four stories. As an anecdote, Oscar Wilde said that this set of stories was not dedicated "neither for British children, nor for the British public", due to its critical tone.

1. The young king
2. The Infanta's Birthday
3. The fisherman and his soul
4. The star child

De Profundis (1905)

Unfinished epistle where he collects reflections on life, society and aspects such as hope or truth. It may be one of the most profound writings written by the Dubliner.

essays

Intentions (1891)

A total of four essays where Wilde speaks in a critical and academic tone about the literature and art of the time in which he has lived. And all this without forgetting resources such as paradox or even contradiction.

1. The decay of the lie
2. Pen, pencil and poison
3. The artist critic
4. The truth of the masks

The soul of man under socialism (1891)

Essay published in 1891 where he reflects on a social renewal to seek answers and fixes to the problems of capitalism in England.

He also talks about the development and rights of free personality and freedom.

Theater

Vera or the Nihilists and the Duchess of Padua (1880)

First play that you can find with the Duchess of Padua. Both are about two of the lesser known works of the English writer.

The first tells the story of a group of various pre-Bolsheviks in Russia, who are accused by the Tsar of being terrorists.

Regarding the Duchess of Padua, you will see a clear influence derived from William Shakespeare. In it, you can see how it combines both prose and verse in some cases.

Salome (1891)

Tragic work written entirely in French and later translated into other languages.

Oscar Wilde could not publish it in London since the norm did not allow to represent any type of biblical act.

Here, Wilde covers the biblical story of Salome, Herod's stepdaughter. The girl falls in love with John the Apostle, who denies his love, and consequently unleashes the effects of rejecting a daughter of a king.

Lady Windermere's Fan (1892)

Satirical work where Wilde exposes a series of ironic and comic situations where Lady Windermere herself is spoken of.

Divided into four acts, the central theme of the play is the infidelity and jealousy that the protagonist feels towards her husband and his supposed lover.

A Woman of No Importance (1893)

Theatrical work divided into 4 acts where we can observe a meeting of several women talking and reflecting on their lives. All of them are of the nobility and the place is the country house of Lady Hunstanto.

An Ideal Husband (1895)

Story of Rober Chiltern, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who has swindled and sold his secrets to the Baron of Arnheim.

As a result of this fact, things will change for Robert, since he will have unleashed a series of misfortunes in relation to the development of his life.

The Importance of Being Ernest (1895)

Considered one of his best works, it is his last playwright production, written a few years before he died.

It is divided into a total of four acts (three depending on the edition) and is comic in character, inspired by Engaged, by William Schwenck Gilbert.

Its plot deals with the customs and chores of London society at the end of the 19th century.

Others

In addition, we can find different phrases edited by Oscar Wilde himself such as: “Religions die when they are proven to be true. Science is the record of dead religions "or" stupidity is the beginning of seriousness. "