Most Popular Books by Oscar Wilde

"The Canterville Ghost" is a parody featuring a dramatic spirit named Sir Simon and the United States minister (ambassador) to the Court of St. James''s, Hiram B. Otis. Mr. Otis travels to England with his family and moves into a haunted country house. Lord Canterville, the previous owner of the house, warns Mr. Otis that the ghost of Sir Simon de Canterville has haunted it ever since he killed his wife, Eleonore, three centuries before. But Mr. Otis dismisses the ghost story as bunk and disregards Lord Canterville''s warnings. When the Otises learn that the house is indeed haunted, they succeed in victimizing the ghost and in disregarding age-old British traditions. What emerges is a satire of American materialism, a lampoon of traditional British values, and an amusing twist on the traditional gothic horror tale.

The Importance of Being Earnest By Oscar WildeThis lighthearted play tells the farcical tale of Jack Worthing and Algernon Montcrieff-two men who falsely claim to be named Ernest when they fall in love with two women whose affections are illogically but irrevocably tied to the name.The Importance of Being Earnest was popular upon its debut in 1895. It was not until the twentieth century that Wilde''s work was once again recognized both for its literary worth and comedic genius, and subsequently The Importance of Being Earnest has been adapted many times for film and theatre, most recently in the 2002 film starring Colin Firth, Rupert Everett, Reese Witherspoon, and Dame Judy Dench.

The Ballad of Reading Gaol is a poem by Oscar Wilde, written in exile either in Berneval or in Dieppe, France, after his release from Reading Gaol on or about 19 May 1897. Wilde had been incarcerated in Reading, after being convicted of homosexual offences in 1895 and sentenced to two years'' hard labour in prison.

Complete annotated edition of Oscar Wilde''s poetry.

The Importance of Being Earnest was popular upon its debut in 1895. It was not until the twentieth century that Wilde''s work was once again recognized both for its literary worth and comedic genius, and subsequently The Importance of Being Earnest has been adapted many times for film and theatre, most recently in the 2002 film starring Colin Firth, Rupert Everett, Reese Witherspoon, and Dame Judy Dench.

Written in his distinctively dazzling manner, Oscar Wilde''s story of a fashionable young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty is the author''s most popular work. The tale of Dorian Gray''s moral disintegration caused a scandal when it first appeared in 1890, but though Wilde was attacked for the novel''s corrupting influence, he responded that there is, in fact, "a terrible moral in Dorian Gray."

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a Gothic and philosophical novel by Oscar Wilde, first published complete in the July 1890 issue of Lippincott''s Monthly Magazine. Fearing the story was indecent, the magazine''s editor deleted roughly five hundred words before publication without Wilde''s knowledge. Despite that censorship, The Picture of Dorian Gray offended the moral sensibilities of British book reviewers, some of whom said that Oscar Wilde merited prosecution for violating the laws guarding public morality. In response, Wilde aggressively defended his novel and art in correspondence with the British press, although he personally made excisions of some of the most controversial material when revising and lengthening the story for book publication the following year.

Wilde''s only novel, first published in 1890, is a brilliantly designed puzzle, intended to tease conventional minds with its exploration of the myriad interrelationships between art, life and consequence. From its provocative Preface, challenging the reader to belief in ''art for art''s sake'', to its sensational conclusion, the story self-consciously experiments with the notion of sin as an element of design. Yet Wilde himself underestimated the consequences of his experiment, and its capacity to outrage the Victorian establishment. Its words returned to haunt him in his court appearances in 1895, and he later recalled the ''note of doom'' which runs like ''a purple thread'' through its carefully crafted prose. - Illustrated

This is Oscar Wilde''s most famous work and caused a lot of controversy on it''s first publication in 1890. The story of a young and handsome Dorian Gray who sells his soul for the pleasures in life and retain his youth and beauty. LARGE PRINT EDITION 16 POINT FONT USED

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Written in Oscar Wilde''s brilliant, unique tone and stature, his story of an abnormally well dressed man that does whatever it takes to achieve eternal youth, is a rather gore and controversial piece that played a key role in the history of literature. Dorian''s journey begins as he becomes the fascination of a talented painter. Encouraged to seek a life of self-fulfillment, Dorian wishes to never age, but instead have the picture take on the ailments of time for him. During his journey, he faces tough situations and obstacles from his decision, and learns the lessons of his actions. Filled with tragedy, mystery and controversial principals, The Picture of Dorian Gray proposes a terrible moral that leaves one questioning their outlook and attitude towards life as a whole. Wilde creates fascinating parallels to himself throughout the book, claiming that one character represents who he thinks he is, another is what the world thinks of him, and a third character is what he would like to be. His dazzling manor of writing illustrates a strange concept of three aspects of oneself interacting in a fictional world, unlike any world imaginable in his time. Proposing a unique look into an arguably corrupted mind and an overarching moral, The Picture of Dorian Gray is an absolute "must read" for any open minded and curious reader. The Book''s Effect Upon Release Upon its release in 1890, the novel was attacked and criticized for being a "corruptive influence". The story was first published in an issue of Lippincott''s Monthly Magazine. However, in attempts to censor the works of Wilde, the editors had cut around 500 words without consulting the author before publication. Even with the censorship, the story had offended most readers for violating public morality, and some argued he should be prosecuted. Wilde actively defended his work, and released the previously excluded 500 words along with an extended version the following year. The book was later used against Wilde in his trials regarding homosexuality that eventually lead to two years in prison. The uncensored, raw and real words of Oscar Wilde are those of controversy that express his version of the truth. A true good read, The Picture of Dorian Gray encourages deep and twisted thoughts for change. About Oscar Wilde Oscar Wilde (Full name Oscar Fingal O''Flahertie Wills Wide) was an Irish man, born in 1854. He studied at Trinity College and Oxford University, where he learned to speak fluent French and German, studied great literature and proved himself a great classicalist. Graduating in 1878, the young man moved to London, where he became well known for his quick wit, notable fashion and general truths. He soon became one of the greatest playwrights in the Victorian Era, but was imprisoned for homosexuality before he could enjoy his fame. Once freed from his two year sentence, the writer set sail for Dieppe, and was never seen again in Ireland or Britain. It is believed that he died in poverty, without acknowledging his great success as a playwright. Order yours today and indulge in the controversial storytelling The Picture of Dorian Gray See also other classic books by clicking on the publisher name "Mark Madron"

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a Gothic and philosophical novel by Oscar Wilde, first published complete in the July 1890 issue of Lippincott''s Monthly Magazine. Fearing the story was indecent, prior to publication the magazine''s editor deleted roughly five hundred words without Wilde''s knowledge. Despite that censorship, The Picture of Dorian Gray offended the moral sensibilities of British book reviewers, some of whom said that Oscar Wilde merited prosecution for violating the laws guarding public morality. In response, Wilde aggressively defended his novel and art in correspondence with the British press, although he personally made excisions of some of the most controversial material when revising and lengthening the story for book publication the following year.