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The Importance of Being Earnest and Other Plays

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The Importance of Being Earnest and Other Plays by Oscar Wilde is a collection of witty and satirical plays that explore themes of identity, social norms, and the follies of Victorian society. The titular play, The Importance of Being Earnest, follows two protagonists who maintain fictitious personas to escape societal obligations, leading to a series of humorous misunderstandings. Wilde's sharp dialogue and clever plots offer a humorous critique of the conventions and hypocrisies of the era.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this collection if you're drawn to witty dialogue, sharp satire, and the exploration of societal norms. Oscar Wilde's plays masterfully blend humour with commentary on Victorian society, making them both entertaining and thought-provoking. Perfect for fans of classic literature, theatre, and cultural insight.

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Includes plays such as "Lady Windermere's Fan", "Salome", "A Woman of No Importance", "An Ideal Husband", "A Florentine Tragedy" and "The Importance of Being Earnest".

This reissue is designed to tie-in with the film version of "The Importance of Being Earnest" to be released nationwide from 30th August 2002. The film stars Colin Firth, Rupert Everett, Judi Dench and Reese Witherspoon.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Importance of Being Earnest and Other Plays by Oscar Wilde is part of the Penguin Classics relaunch.

Wilde was both a glittering wordsmith and a social outsider. His drama emerges out of these two perhaps contradictory identities, combining epigrammatic brilliance and shrewd social observation.

This collection includes Lady Windermere's Fan, Salome, A Woman of No Importance, An Ideal Husband, A Florentine Tragedy, and The Importance of Being Earnest, which appears in full with the "Grigsby" scene that originally made up the fourth act.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140436068

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 May 2000

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Edited by Richard Cave
  • Introduction by Richard Cave
  • Notes by Richard Cave

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 320g

Pages: 464

About the Author

Born in Ireland, Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (1854-1900) was educated in Dublin & Oxford and went on to become the leading and most prominent exponent of flamboyant aestheticism. As well as his many plays, he wrote one novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890), and published several volumes of poetry and criticism. He was imprisoned in 1895 for homosexual offences and after his release he died in exile in Paris. Richard Cave has edited a selection of Yeats' plays for Penguin Classics.

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