Oscar

The first major biography of Oscar Wilde in thirty years, Oscar by Matthew Sturgis, stands as the definitive account of Wilde's extraordinary life and times. This meticulously researched biography paints a vivid portrait of the legendary wit, playwright, and aesthete, capturing the paradoxes and complexities that defined his existence. From his meteoric rise to fame as a beloved figure of London's literary circles to his tragic fall from grace, Sturgis chronicles Wilde’s journey with a blend of scholarly rigour and narrative flair.

NOMINATED FOR THE WOLFSON HISTORY PRIZE 2019

The Book of the Year, perhaps of the decade - TLS

Simply the best modern biography of Wilde... A terrific achievement - Evening Standard

Page-turning... Vivid and desperately moving. However much you think you know Wilde, this book will absorb and entertain you - The Sunday Times Books of the Year

Oscar Wilde's life – like his wit – was alive with contradictions. A pioneer and victim of 'celebrity culture', Wilde was equally celebrated and scorned in society. Despite his comic genius, he pursued tragedies; though an unabashed snob, he relished unmasking societal flaws. Known for his disdainful dandyism, Wilde was also capable of profound kindness. While he deeply loved his wife and children, he harboured passionate relationships with men, culminating in his ill-fated romance with Lord Alfred Douglas, which ultimately led to his legal troubles and downfall.

Sturgis delves into Wilde's paradoxical nature, illustrating how Wilde mocked authority yet sought legal validation for his love, revelled in public adoration yet died in near solitude. Wilde's defiance against the social and sexual norms of his era endears him to those who champion individuality and nonconformity. This engaging biography is enriched by new material and research, vividly bringing to life the distinctive characters and atmosphere of the fin de siècle. Through Sturgis' masterful storytelling, Oscar offers the most compelling and richly detailed portrait of Wilde to date, showcasing a man who continues to inspire and challenge societal conventions.