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Cartas a Lord Alfred Douglas
«¡La felicidad, no! ¡Sobre todo nada de felicidad! ¡El placer! Hay que preferir siempre lo más trágico», exclamaba en cierta ocasión Oscar Wilde. Mucho más que un aforismo, la frase contiene toda una declaración de principios, que el propio Wilde llevaría hasta sus últimas consecuencias con admirable literalidad. De hecho, en el suntuoso argumento de su vida, la tragedia tuvo un nombre: Lord Alfred Douglas. Este muchacho de aspecto «jovial, áureo y encantador» fue, ciertamente, el gran amor de Wilde, la viva encarnación de su apetecido ideal, pero también la causa directa del escándalo que le conduciría a los tribunales primero y de allí a la ruina y a la cárcel, de la que Wilde saldría convertido en patética sombra de sí mismo.
Wilde y Douglas (Bosie, para sus allegados) se conocieron en 1881, cuando éste apenas contaba veinte años y aquél era celebrado ya como un santón del esteticismo y brillante escritor. Muy pronto se entablaría entre los dos una íntima relación. De su complejo y movedizo carácter dan buena cuenta las cartas reunidas en este volumen, que abarcan desde noviembre de 1892 hasta agosto de 1897 y que son todas las que se conservan entre los dos amantes, con excepción de la conocida epístola De profundis. Unidas por el común denominador de una inconstante pero continuada pasión, estas cartas nos conducen desde los gloriosos días de éxito y de los placeres compartidos hasta las amargas horas del desencuentro, cuando, tras dos años de prisión, uno y otro intentan en vano revivir antiguos esplendores. Desde las apresuradas y festivas tarjetas escritas desde cualquier hotel o restaurante, hasta las sombrías elegías concebidas en la cárcel o el exilio en Francia, la pluma de Wilde, lírica y mordaz, transparenta aquí en todo momento su fatal y decidida voluntad de acceder a ese nivel superior en el que la vida y arte se confunden.
Wilde y Douglas (Bosie, para sus allegados) se conocieron en 1881, cuando éste apenas contaba veinte años y aquél era celebrado ya como un santón del esteticismo y brillante escritor. Muy pronto se entablaría entre los dos una íntima relación. De su complejo y movedizo carácter dan buena cuenta las cartas reunidas en este volumen, que abarcan desde noviembre de 1892 hasta agosto de 1897 y que son todas las que se conservan entre los dos amantes, con excepción de la conocida epístola De profundis. Unidas por el común denominador de una inconstante pero continuada pasión, estas cartas nos conducen desde los gloriosos días de éxito y de los placeres compartidos hasta las amargas horas del desencuentro, cuando, tras dos años de prisión, uno y otro intentan en vano revivir antiguos esplendores. Desde las apresuradas y festivas tarjetas escritas desde cualquier hotel o restaurante, hasta las sombrías elegías concebidas en la cárcel o el exilio en Francia, la pluma de Wilde, lírica y mordaz, transparenta aquí en todo momento su fatal y decidida voluntad de acceder a ese nivel superior en el que la vida y arte se confunden.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1962
About the author
Oscar Wilde
5,554 books35.4k followersOscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish playwright, poet, and author of numerous short stories, and one novel. Known for his biting wit, and a plentitude of aphorisms, he became one of the most successful playwrights of the late Victorian era in London, and one of the greatest celebrities of his day. Several of his plays continue to be widely performed, especially The Importance of Being Earnest.
As the result of a widely covered series of trials, Wilde suffered a dramatic downfall and was imprisoned for two years hard labour after being convicted of "gross indecency" with other men. After Wilde was released from prison he set sail for Dieppe by the night ferry. He never returned to Ireland or Britain, and died in poverty.
As the result of a widely covered series of trials, Wilde suffered a dramatic downfall and was imprisoned for two years hard labour after being convicted of "gross indecency" with other men. After Wilde was released from prison he set sail for Dieppe by the night ferry. He never returned to Ireland or Britain, and died in poverty.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 8, 2008
Actually, I read this edition of Wilde's letters when it was reissued a couple of years back. Whenever I'm going through my Wilde phase (about once a month) I flip through this tome for comfort and laughs. Who knew that the art of letter writing could be so entertaining? Oscar did!
October 5, 2018
I loved Oscar's letters a lot, I really felt like he was writing to me, like he was a dear friend and I knew him in person. They show who he truly was, a genius, but with weaknesses like all human beings, a very sensitive soul. His letters are one of the most touching writings I have ever read.
May 30, 2024
5 estrellas a la edición por dar contexto de cada carta y una biografía resumida. A las cartas no les daría un rating, son la vida de alguien, pero puedo decir que son muy poéticas y tristes, y tuve que dejar las últimas por alrededor de uno o dos meses
May 28, 2017
Son las cartas más bonitas que he leído. Lo único que vi mal en el libro es que se muestran las cartas ya traducidas y en muchas partes se nota cómo se pierde un poco el sentido por culpa de la traducción. Habría estado bien que hubieran puesto las cartas originales y luego, si querían, la traducción. Por lo demás, estuvo genial. Creo que es un buen complemento para 'De Profundis', porque muestra el lado bueno que Oscar Wilde no mencionó ahí y con ello hace que veas esa relación de un modo diferente.
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March 21, 2024Las cartas desde la acusación de Wilde en adelante me hicieron daño
September 24, 2020
I feel like the thing that hurt me the most was Oscar's love
After years, Oscar still loved Lord Alfred Douglass. Even after being jailed his love still continued.
"Besides, I want to see you. It is really absurd. I can’t live without you. You are so dear, so wonderful. I think of you all day long, and miss your grace, your boyish beauty, the bright sword-play of your wit, the delicate fancy of your genius, so surprising always in its sudden swallow-flights towards north and south, towards sun and moon — and, above all, yourself. The only thing that consoles me is what Sybil of Mortimer Street (whom mortals call Mrs. Robinson) said to me*. If I could disbelieve her I would, but I can’t, and I know that early in January you and I will go away together for a long voyage, and that your lovely life goes always hand in hand with mine. My dear wonderful boy, I hope you are brilliant and happy.
I went to Bertie, today I wrote at home, then went and sat with my mother. Death and Love seem to walk on either hand as I go through life: they are the only things I think of, their wings shadow me.
London is a desert without your dainty feet… Write me a line and take all my love — now and for ever.
Always, and with devotion — but I have no words for how I love you.
Oscar ( not the whole letter)
https://www.brainpickings.org/2013/07...
It hurts, loving someone and the only act of it being criminalized. It hurts, not being able to love someone because of what other people think is disgusting. But the disgusting thing is the fact that humans actually used to think like this.
That the human race has thought that love, if it is not from a man to woman or woman to man, is wrong.
That loving someone is a wrongdoing.
"He is witty, graceful, lovely to look at, lovable to be with. He has also ruined my life, so I can’t help loving him — it is the only thing to do."
And no, no Oscar. He has not ruined your life. But Britain, —a country I am now ashamed of being from— has.
But Oscar still loved Alfred till his death. Even while still being married to a woman and having two children, he loved Alfred and was not ashamed of it. He showed he wasn't ashamed of loving Alfred, he showed that his love was real, because why? Why should we be ashamed of the people we love? Oscar wasn't ashamed of Alfred, and I'm sure that Alfred wasn't ashamed of Oscar
And to think that If I lived during those times, being the person I am today. I would have been on trial right now, with the "crime" of homosexuality.
And not only that, they called homosexuality a "gross indecency"
I'm actually crying while writing this.
What makes it so wrong? What is so wrong about it? Forcing a gay man to marry a woman as if it is some kind of sick substitute for love? Forcing a trans man to stay a woman because "that's the way you are supposed to be" ?
What "God" ? "Religion" ?
Who is this "God" to tell us what is right and what is wrong?
I'm honestly wishing the Oscar Wilde trial never happened, he never married. Just living a happily ever after with Alfred.
Gods, what is wrong with us humans
After years, Oscar still loved Lord Alfred Douglass. Even after being jailed his love still continued.
"Besides, I want to see you. It is really absurd. I can’t live without you. You are so dear, so wonderful. I think of you all day long, and miss your grace, your boyish beauty, the bright sword-play of your wit, the delicate fancy of your genius, so surprising always in its sudden swallow-flights towards north and south, towards sun and moon — and, above all, yourself. The only thing that consoles me is what Sybil of Mortimer Street (whom mortals call Mrs. Robinson) said to me*. If I could disbelieve her I would, but I can’t, and I know that early in January you and I will go away together for a long voyage, and that your lovely life goes always hand in hand with mine. My dear wonderful boy, I hope you are brilliant and happy.
I went to Bertie, today I wrote at home, then went and sat with my mother. Death and Love seem to walk on either hand as I go through life: they are the only things I think of, their wings shadow me.
London is a desert without your dainty feet… Write me a line and take all my love — now and for ever.
Always, and with devotion — but I have no words for how I love you.
Oscar ( not the whole letter)
https://www.brainpickings.org/2013/07...
It hurts, loving someone and the only act of it being criminalized. It hurts, not being able to love someone because of what other people think is disgusting. But the disgusting thing is the fact that humans actually used to think like this.
That the human race has thought that love, if it is not from a man to woman or woman to man, is wrong.
That loving someone is a wrongdoing.
"He is witty, graceful, lovely to look at, lovable to be with. He has also ruined my life, so I can’t help loving him — it is the only thing to do."
And no, no Oscar. He has not ruined your life. But Britain, —a country I am now ashamed of being from— has.
But Oscar still loved Alfred till his death. Even while still being married to a woman and having two children, he loved Alfred and was not ashamed of it. He showed he wasn't ashamed of loving Alfred, he showed that his love was real, because why? Why should we be ashamed of the people we love? Oscar wasn't ashamed of Alfred, and I'm sure that Alfred wasn't ashamed of Oscar
And to think that If I lived during those times, being the person I am today. I would have been on trial right now, with the "crime" of homosexuality.
And not only that, they called homosexuality a "gross indecency"
I'm actually crying while writing this.
What makes it so wrong? What is so wrong about it? Forcing a gay man to marry a woman as if it is some kind of sick substitute for love? Forcing a trans man to stay a woman because "that's the way you are supposed to be" ?
What "God" ? "Religion" ?
Who is this "God" to tell us what is right and what is wrong?
I'm honestly wishing the Oscar Wilde trial never happened, he never married. Just living a happily ever after with Alfred.
Gods, what is wrong with us humans
August 21, 2018
The experience of reading this book was completely different than what I thought it would be. I assumed it would be chock-full of "Oscariana"... witticisms, epigrams, and bon mots. It was not.
At over 1,200 pages, I had to renew it from the library to get it finished. It was not a plot-filled read. In fact, it was a very peppered plethora of letters to people that fell into the following categories:
1. Letters asking for money. Lots and lots and LOTS of asking for money. Some of these letters are to people that were actually in charge of his speaking tours, etc. - but many of them were to friends, or people that he thought were his friends.
2. Letters to actors and actresses that he wanted to star in his plays. Many of these plans never came to fruition.
3. Letters breaking dates that he had previously made. (Lunch, tea, dinner, etc.) - I got the definite impression that O.W. was very much a fair-weather friend. If anyone he deemed more "beautiful" sent him an invite, he would break a previous engagement with no qualms whatsoever.
4. Letters complaining about things. a) Articles about him in the press b) Covers of books and why they weren't in the color/font type he had requested c) Promised payment / non payment for poems / books / plays d) Why the recipient hadn't written to him in a timely fashion
At the end of it all, I just felt very sad about Oscar Wilde. He was a talented, special, famous person who trusted his own hype too much, and ended up depending on the kindness of others - which more often than not was nonexistent. He simultaneously thought very highly of himself, and would condescend to people who were in a more secure position than he was, and thought so little of himself that he became subservient and begged for friendship, money, etc.
The few friends he did have were alienated and berated by him. I suspect it was the use of drugs and alcohol that left him so paranoid that when he saw his bank accounts dwindling, he sent aggressive letters to his friends, accusing them of going back on their promises, or swindling him outright. It's amazing that any of them stuck around.
As for Lord Alfred Douglas... words fail me. Theirs was a toxic relationship on both sides, but "Bosie", the "dear boy", was anything but kind to Oscar Wilde. Oscar had many chances to rid himself of that particular parasite, but he just kept going back to him... a fatal flaw.
Oscar's life spiraled into a sad, painful existence, and he died a sad, painful death. This book has left me wondering if the decline of his life was a product of the intolerant times he lived in, or whether he had that fatal flaw that rich, famous people still have today, which more often than not results in their shocking and untimely deaths. I suspect it's a little of both.
At over 1,200 pages, I had to renew it from the library to get it finished. It was not a plot-filled read. In fact, it was a very peppered plethora of letters to people that fell into the following categories:
1. Letters asking for money. Lots and lots and LOTS of asking for money. Some of these letters are to people that were actually in charge of his speaking tours, etc. - but many of them were to friends, or people that he thought were his friends.
2. Letters to actors and actresses that he wanted to star in his plays. Many of these plans never came to fruition.
3. Letters breaking dates that he had previously made. (Lunch, tea, dinner, etc.) - I got the definite impression that O.W. was very much a fair-weather friend. If anyone he deemed more "beautiful" sent him an invite, he would break a previous engagement with no qualms whatsoever.
4. Letters complaining about things. a) Articles about him in the press b) Covers of books and why they weren't in the color/font type he had requested c) Promised payment / non payment for poems / books / plays d) Why the recipient hadn't written to him in a timely fashion
At the end of it all, I just felt very sad about Oscar Wilde. He was a talented, special, famous person who trusted his own hype too much, and ended up depending on the kindness of others - which more often than not was nonexistent. He simultaneously thought very highly of himself, and would condescend to people who were in a more secure position than he was, and thought so little of himself that he became subservient and begged for friendship, money, etc.
The few friends he did have were alienated and berated by him. I suspect it was the use of drugs and alcohol that left him so paranoid that when he saw his bank accounts dwindling, he sent aggressive letters to his friends, accusing them of going back on their promises, or swindling him outright. It's amazing that any of them stuck around.
As for Lord Alfred Douglas... words fail me. Theirs was a toxic relationship on both sides, but "Bosie", the "dear boy", was anything but kind to Oscar Wilde. Oscar had many chances to rid himself of that particular parasite, but he just kept going back to him... a fatal flaw.
Oscar's life spiraled into a sad, painful existence, and he died a sad, painful death. This book has left me wondering if the decline of his life was a product of the intolerant times he lived in, or whether he had that fatal flaw that rich, famous people still have today, which more often than not results in their shocking and untimely deaths. I suspect it's a little of both.
September 27, 2009
What a character, Oscar Wilde (1888-1895) I would describe him as a "social butterfly". He knew everyone and would attend parties/dinners/theater productions and more, every night/day of the week. He hated Sundays because there was nothing to do but go to church, everything was closed! They say he was the life of any party, captivating his audience with wit and interesting stories. He was a "writer, wit, and raconteur, as the pre-eminent personality of his day".
1888 to 1895 he completed Salome the novel, as well as four well received plays, Lady Windermere's Fan, A Woman of No Importance , An Ideal Husband, and The Importance of Being Earnest. His humor was well received and at this time he was quite famous for his work.
Married to Constance in 1884, time passes and they find themselves as friends, so they both sought love outside their marriage. As she grew older, Wilde commented her shape had changed after the birth of their children, and in referencing her, he went on to equate "age with decay".
Somewhere along his life journey, Wilde found himself attracted to men and was even convicted for homosexual offenses resulting in 2 years in Wandsworth Gaol. After his prison sentence he wrote only one more significant piece of work, a long poem, "The Ballad of Reading Gaol". He died alone, a pauper, in a Paris hotel room. After his death friends have written biographies and managed to re kindle his career and to this day he is considered a great literary writer.
I have enjoyed reading many of the letters in this book, they will transport you back in time and you can feel what he was thinking, his concerns, his happiness or disappointments. Also there are many extra notes explaining the contents of the letters, along with description of history events that may coincide with a letter. Privy to such private letters sheds a whole new light on Mr. Wilde and his life as well as that period in time.
**Please note: I am not an English scholar and have only translated what I have personally learned on my own about Oscar Wilde. I am open to corrections or additional facts.
1888 to 1895 he completed Salome the novel, as well as four well received plays, Lady Windermere's Fan, A Woman of No Importance , An Ideal Husband, and The Importance of Being Earnest. His humor was well received and at this time he was quite famous for his work.
Married to Constance in 1884, time passes and they find themselves as friends, so they both sought love outside their marriage. As she grew older, Wilde commented her shape had changed after the birth of their children, and in referencing her, he went on to equate "age with decay".
Somewhere along his life journey, Wilde found himself attracted to men and was even convicted for homosexual offenses resulting in 2 years in Wandsworth Gaol. After his prison sentence he wrote only one more significant piece of work, a long poem, "The Ballad of Reading Gaol". He died alone, a pauper, in a Paris hotel room. After his death friends have written biographies and managed to re kindle his career and to this day he is considered a great literary writer.
I have enjoyed reading many of the letters in this book, they will transport you back in time and you can feel what he was thinking, his concerns, his happiness or disappointments. Also there are many extra notes explaining the contents of the letters, along with description of history events that may coincide with a letter. Privy to such private letters sheds a whole new light on Mr. Wilde and his life as well as that period in time.
**Please note: I am not an English scholar and have only translated what I have personally learned on my own about Oscar Wilde. I am open to corrections or additional facts.
April 30, 2019
No tengo palabras.
Este librito es una recopilación de treinta cartas escritas por Oscar Wilde a su amado Lord Alfred Douglas. Para los que conocemos su trágica historia, sabemos que no fue nada parecido a un cuento de hadas, sin embargo, la devoción y el amor infinito con el que estas cartas están escritas hacen que lo creamos de otra manera.
Estas cartas no fueron escritas con el fin de ser vistas por el ojo público. Cualquier persona apenas abre el libro se puede dar cuenta. La manera tan tierna en la que Wilde escribe es tan íntima, dulce y desesperada que no podía evitar sentirme hasta culpable de ver algo tan desnudo y precioso. Desde la amorosa manera de referirse a Bosie hasta el más mímimo de los adjetivos hacían que mi alma se encoja hasta hacerse bolita.
Me ha llenado el corazón de sentimientos encontrados. ¿Pero qué más se puede esperar de dos poetas perdidamente enamorados? Sin duda es un libro que leeré más de una vez.
100000000/5
Este librito es una recopilación de treinta cartas escritas por Oscar Wilde a su amado Lord Alfred Douglas. Para los que conocemos su trágica historia, sabemos que no fue nada parecido a un cuento de hadas, sin embargo, la devoción y el amor infinito con el que estas cartas están escritas hacen que lo creamos de otra manera.
Estas cartas no fueron escritas con el fin de ser vistas por el ojo público. Cualquier persona apenas abre el libro se puede dar cuenta. La manera tan tierna en la que Wilde escribe es tan íntima, dulce y desesperada que no podía evitar sentirme hasta culpable de ver algo tan desnudo y precioso. Desde la amorosa manera de referirse a Bosie hasta el más mímimo de los adjetivos hacían que mi alma se encoja hasta hacerse bolita.
Me ha llenado el corazón de sentimientos encontrados. ¿Pero qué más se puede esperar de dos poetas perdidamente enamorados? Sin duda es un libro que leeré más de una vez.
100000000/5
February 3, 2024
Oscar wilde letters are absolutely brilliant! His love letters to both women and men in his life have made my bar higher and his response to critics of picture of dorian grey is extremely enjoyable and sassy. Most of all his late letters during and after his imprisonment are heartbreaking as his character and pride are being broken down. Never thought letters would have brought me to tears
May 4, 2024
Voy a ser algo insoportable con lo que este libro me ha dado.
El prologo te informa acerca del contexto de las cartas, es bastante largo, así que si sabes acerca de la vida de oscar wilde igualmente puedes encontrar cosas nuevas que pueden interesarte.
Ame varias de las cartas.
Oscar Deserved Better
El prologo te informa acerca del contexto de las cartas, es bastante largo, así que si sabes acerca de la vida de oscar wilde igualmente puedes encontrar cosas nuevas que pueden interesarte.
Ame varias de las cartas.
Oscar Deserved Better
February 21, 2019
¡Hermoso!
Hace tanto tiempo que deseaba leer este libro y cuando ya lo hize me sentí bendecido por Wilde.
Se puede ver notoriamente la evolución de la relación entre Oscar y Alfred, desde sus inicios hasta lo que se pudo salvar de su fin.
Sentí una gran pena por Oscar, ya que es muy facil de notar que Douglas no lo amaba, simplemente lo utilizaba para poder vivir de acuerdo a sus deseos, y es aun más desgarrador leer las hermosas cartas que Oscar le dedicaba donde dejaba su alma y corazón a una persona mimada y caprichosa.
Hace tanto tiempo que deseaba leer este libro y cuando ya lo hize me sentí bendecido por Wilde.
Se puede ver notoriamente la evolución de la relación entre Oscar y Alfred, desde sus inicios hasta lo que se pudo salvar de su fin.
Sentí una gran pena por Oscar, ya que es muy facil de notar que Douglas no lo amaba, simplemente lo utilizaba para poder vivir de acuerdo a sus deseos, y es aun más desgarrador leer las hermosas cartas que Oscar le dedicaba donde dejaba su alma y corazón a una persona mimada y caprichosa.
July 18, 2020
Such a huge heart, incredible talent, and tragic passions. His eloquence, humor and honesty in writing to his friends, family and associates are extraordinary. So glad this treasure trove has been saved.
September 18, 2022
I quite appreciated his circular grammar in those letters I remember.
Want to read
August 6, 2023im coming for you mf
September 28, 2016
It's a big fat volume, but worth its weight in gold as offering the most complete (self-) portrait of Oscar Wilde in all his moods, from amusing to despairing, commenting on life and the Arts in the late Victorian world and joshing with his closest friends. Expertly edited updated edition by his grandson, Merlin Holland.
March 9, 2022
😤💖😟😫😤🤬😌💗 Oscar love, you gave me all the feels.
June 20, 2017
Estas cartas para Lord Alfred Douglas entre 1892 al 1897, demuestran el amor que tenía Wilde por el jovencito de ojos y cabellos claros. Pero también como los amigos de Oscar hicieron lo posible para separarlo del que amaba, debido que lo estaba arruinando —como vemos en De Profundis, que mediante una carta larga que escribe Oscar conocemos la realidad de persona que era Douglas—.
A su vez este ejemplar nos cuenta que se conservaron casi todas las cartas de Oscar mientras que las de Bosie —Douglas— solo se conservan tres; supongo que Wilde se deshizo de casi todas al llegar a su fin.
Al final de las páginas encontramos el soneto que Lord Alfred Douglas le dedico a Oscar Wilde cuando falleció:
EL POETA MUERTO
En sueños le vi la última noche. Su semblante
esplendoroso no tenía ya sombra de desgracia.
Y, como antaño, imponderable, musical,
yo oía su voz de oro, le veía descubrir
la gracia oculta de las cosas triviales
y conjurar los encantos incluso del vacío,
hasta vestir las cosas de belleza, cual de un ropaje,
y hacer de este mundo un lugar encantado.
Luego me vi ante herrumbrosa reja
llorando por la pérdida de palabras inexpresadas,
de cuentos olvidados, de misterios revelados a medias,
de ignotas maravillas que hubieran podido salir a la luz
y de pensamientos sin voz, semejantes a acuchillados ruiseñores.
Y al despertarme supe que él había muerto…
(París, 1901)
Citas: http://hechaensilencio.blogspot.com.a...
A su vez este ejemplar nos cuenta que se conservaron casi todas las cartas de Oscar mientras que las de Bosie —Douglas— solo se conservan tres; supongo que Wilde se deshizo de casi todas al llegar a su fin.
Al final de las páginas encontramos el soneto que Lord Alfred Douglas le dedico a Oscar Wilde cuando falleció:
EL POETA MUERTO
En sueños le vi la última noche. Su semblante
esplendoroso no tenía ya sombra de desgracia.
Y, como antaño, imponderable, musical,
yo oía su voz de oro, le veía descubrir
la gracia oculta de las cosas triviales
y conjurar los encantos incluso del vacío,
hasta vestir las cosas de belleza, cual de un ropaje,
y hacer de este mundo un lugar encantado.
Luego me vi ante herrumbrosa reja
llorando por la pérdida de palabras inexpresadas,
de cuentos olvidados, de misterios revelados a medias,
de ignotas maravillas que hubieran podido salir a la luz
y de pensamientos sin voz, semejantes a acuchillados ruiseñores.
Y al despertarme supe que él había muerto…
(París, 1901)
Citas: http://hechaensilencio.blogspot.com.a...
Read
July 2, 2010This is truly a magnificent collection of letters. It is wonderful how writers such as Wilde and H. P. Lovecraft reveal themselves in their epistles, and how these letters so add to our biographical information concerning these writers. With Wilde, the story of his life seems to captivate more people than his actual fiction, poetry, and essays. There are now so many studies of his life, his tragedy. I think Wilde is probably most famous today for his plays, in particular THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, which I finally got to see live on stage in a brilliant production. The plays have been filmed, which lends to their fame; but also filmed has been Oscar's life story, which is indeed dramatic. A recent birthday gift sent me was ye DVD of THE TRIALS OF OSCAR WILDE, featuring a superb portrayal of Wilde by Peter Finch, and a devastating portrait of Bosie as portrayed by John Fraser. And of course we have the excellent film, WILDE, starring Stephen Fry in the title role.
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July 29, 2016Been interested in writers' thoughts on the process of writing and the writing life lately. (I also saw the film biography of Wilde with Stephen Fry not long ago and thought it was great, which put Wilde back in the front of my mind.)
This is a doorstop of a book, the kind of thing Wilde-philes should have on their shelves for reference--a little harder to relax with in a bubble bath. Started reading front to back, but I think I will have to skip around. It is far too well-researched and complete for pleasure-readin needs. For that one would be better off with a more abridged version, perhaps called "The Interesting Letters of Oscar Wilde."
I was, for some reason, amused by this little note in the intro: "His use of capital letters was erratic: for instance he generally used an initial capital for words beginning with T and H, presumably because he enjoyed making those particular capitals more than their lower-case equivalents."
This is a doorstop of a book, the kind of thing Wilde-philes should have on their shelves for reference--a little harder to relax with in a bubble bath. Started reading front to back, but I think I will have to skip around. It is far too well-researched and complete for pleasure-readin needs. For that one would be better off with a more abridged version, perhaps called "The Interesting Letters of Oscar Wilde."
I was, for some reason, amused by this little note in the intro: "His use of capital letters was erratic: for instance he generally used an initial capital for words beginning with T and H, presumably because he enjoyed making those particular capitals more than their lower-case equivalents."
June 17, 2015
"Refaz a Minha Vida Arruinada
Meu querido rapaz,
Recebi o teu telegrama há meia hora, e quero apenas enviar-te uma linha para dizer que sinto que a minha única esperança de novamente fazer arte maravilhosa está em encontrar-te e permanecer contigo. Antes não era assim, mas agora é diferente, e tu consegues verdadeiramente recriar em mim a energia e a sensação alegre de poder, das quais a arte depende.
Todos estão furiosos comigo por regressar a ti, mas eles não nos compreendem. Sinto que apenas contigo sou capaz de fazer algo, seja o que for. Refaz, por favor, a minha vida arruinada, e então a nossa amizade e o nosso amor terão, para o mundo, um significado diferente.
Que me dera que, quando nos encontrámos em Rouen, não nos tivéssemos despedido. Existem agora abismos de terra e espaço entre nós. Mas amamo-nos.
Boa noite, meu querido. Para sempre teu,
Oscar"
(Oscar Wilde,Carta a Alfred Douglas,1887)
Meu querido rapaz,
Recebi o teu telegrama há meia hora, e quero apenas enviar-te uma linha para dizer que sinto que a minha única esperança de novamente fazer arte maravilhosa está em encontrar-te e permanecer contigo. Antes não era assim, mas agora é diferente, e tu consegues verdadeiramente recriar em mim a energia e a sensação alegre de poder, das quais a arte depende.
Todos estão furiosos comigo por regressar a ti, mas eles não nos compreendem. Sinto que apenas contigo sou capaz de fazer algo, seja o que for. Refaz, por favor, a minha vida arruinada, e então a nossa amizade e o nosso amor terão, para o mundo, um significado diferente.
Que me dera que, quando nos encontrámos em Rouen, não nos tivéssemos despedido. Existem agora abismos de terra e espaço entre nós. Mas amamo-nos.
Boa noite, meu querido. Para sempre teu,
Oscar"
(Oscar Wilde,Carta a Alfred Douglas,1887)
April 11, 2021
What I liked best about Oscar’s letters:
- learning about his oxford friends
- so many letters to writers and actors, especially female ones, complimenting their work
- all his work in editing woman’s world magazine, which he made into a celebration of women in literature
- his thoughts on and defenses of his own writing
- his only surviving love letter to Constance
- his letters to Robbie
- his love letters to Bosie, some of the most beautiful, and at times, heartbreaking, in history
- the epigrams
- the aestheticism and beautiful writing
- hearing about what his contemporaries thought about him
- petty falling-outs with friends who criticized him and/or his writing
- his book recs
- flirtatious letters to poets
- the post prison letters to his friends
- any letter acknowledging how amazing robbie is
- oscar destroying anyone who insults bosie’s poetry
- learning about his oxford friends
- so many letters to writers and actors, especially female ones, complimenting their work
- all his work in editing woman’s world magazine, which he made into a celebration of women in literature
- his thoughts on and defenses of his own writing
- his only surviving love letter to Constance
- his letters to Robbie
- his love letters to Bosie, some of the most beautiful, and at times, heartbreaking, in history
- the epigrams
- the aestheticism and beautiful writing
- hearing about what his contemporaries thought about him
- petty falling-outs with friends who criticized him and/or his writing
- his book recs
- flirtatious letters to poets
- the post prison letters to his friends
- any letter acknowledging how amazing robbie is
- oscar destroying anyone who insults bosie’s poetry
November 20, 2007
The best collection I've seen of Oscar Wilde letters. Perhaps some more in-depth biographical grounding regarding the recipients / writers of some of the letters might have been nice, but then again, since the book already runs 950 pages, space was at a premium.
January 7, 2015
Un libro curioso y sobre todo muy hermoso, con las cartas que Wilde escribió a su gran amor, Bosie. Las traducciones de Luis Antonio de Villena no me acaban de convencer pero aun así, es un apasionante viaje por un romance trágico y maldito: Es una lástima que no existan más cartas.
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June 24, 2015This honestly is a 1400 paged beast but fortunately it was a beautiful beast to read.You see Wilde in his finest years and in his worst.Truly a magnificent person and writer more specifically.I am so grateful to his grandson for editing this whole collection of letters!
Read
June 27, 2012i HIGHLY recommend using this in conjunction with the biography. very nice to see the actual communications as i'm reading another person's interpretation of his life.
June 2, 2010
it might take a year to read but worth it .. the scope of this book is beyond any novel i can think of, except the bible, which lacks depth
March 6, 2014
Read by Simon Callow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2023
I love accounts of redemption more than anything. The sandy beach isn’t there to just look at, but to wriggle your toes into the sand and experience in a full body visceral moment.
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