The Greatest Books: Written by Oscar Wilde

Top 5 Best Oscar Wilde Books You Should Know - Discover Walks Blog

5 Best Oscar Wilde Books (2022) - Are They Worth Reading?

Must-read books by Oscar Wilde

Seven Essential Oscar Wilde Texts

At the opulent residence of his aunt, Lady Brandon, esteemed painter Basil Hallward encounters the charming and handsome Dorian Gray. The youth's beauty and wealth fascinate Basil, inspiring him to portray Dorian in several paintings, often as a Greek hero or a mythological figure. However, Basil is dissatisfied with his first realistic portrait of Dorian, feeling it reveals too much of his sentiments towards his muse. Contrarily, his companion, Lord Henry Wotton, a notorious cynic who glorifies beauty, youth, and hedonism, declares it Basil's best work. Yet, Basil worries about introducing Dorian to Lord Henry, fearing his friend's corruptive influence. 

Basil's apprehensions are justified when Lord Henry's discussion about the fleeting nature of beauty and youth perturbs Dorian. Terrified of losing his charm, Dorian wishes his portrait would age instead of him. In his angst, he offers his soul to ensure the painting bears the brunt of his aging and wrongdoings while he remains youthful forever. Soon, Dorian succumbs to Lord Henry's influence, embracing hedonism and focusing on pleasure-seeking. He falls for Sibyl Vane, an actress from a London slum theatre, who is equally smitten by him. When Sibyl renounces acting due to her strong feelings for Dorian, he cold-heartedly breaks off their engagement, leading to her tragic suicide. Meanwhile, Dorian notices a change in his portrait - it now reflects a scornful expression, confirming his fear that the canvas is mirroring his moral degradation.

As Dorian delves deeper into a life of sin, guided by a book Lord Henry gave him, his reputation in polite society dwindles. Despite rumors about his scandalous behavior, his peers continue to accept him, captivated by his undying youth and beauty. However, his portrait becomes increasingly grotesque, reflecting his moral decay. When Basil confronts him about the rumors, Dorian shows him the hideous portrait, leading to an argument that ends with Dorian murdering Basil. Afterward, Dorian indulges in various debaucheries, including visiting an opium den, but is haunted by his past wrongdoings. In a fit of rage, he decides to destroy the revealing portrait, which ironically leads to his demise. His servants find him dead, aged, and disfigured, while his portrait reverts to its original depiction of a handsome young man.


The Picture of Dorian Gray

El Retrato de Dorian Gray

Jack Worthing, a respected landowner and justice of the peace in Hertfordshire, is the guardian of Cecily Cardew, an appealing young woman. Jack invented a troublesome alter ego named Ernest that he would frequently have to rush off to aid as a way to escape his responsibilities and enjoy himself. Unknown to others, Ernest is merely a deception; Jack is Ernest himself. He is enamored with Gwendolen Fairfax, his best friend Algernon Moncrieff's cousin. Algernon, suspecting Jack of living a double life, confronts him when he discovers a mysterious inscription in Jack's cigarette case. Reluctantly, Jack discloses his real name, not Ernest, and that Cecily is his ward.

Algernon, intrigued by Jack's description of Cecily, impersonates the fictional Ernest and proposes to Cecily, unknowing that she's already invented a romance between herself and "Ernest". Amid the confusion, Gwendolen comes to visit Jack, who she believes to be Ernest, and meets Cecily. A heated argument ensues when both women discover they are engaged to the same man, Ernest, who doesn't exist. Jack and Algernon arrive, both having decided separately to be christened as Ernest, only to have their deception unravelled by Gwendolen and Cecily, who are both furious and shocked. 

In the final act, the two women confront Jack and Algernon about their deception. Both men justify their actions, soothing the women's concerns. Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen's mother, arrives unexpectedly. She finds out about Algernon's engagement to Cecily and starts inquiring about her social connections, which irritates Jack. However, learning about Cecily's considerable inheritance and fortune, Lady Bracknell shows interest. The story reaches an unforeseen climax when it is revealed that Jack is indeed the legitimate son of Lady Bracknell's sister, making him Algernon's elder brother. Furthermore, Jack's original christening name is revealed to be "Ernest John", making his deception unintentionally truthful. The narrative concludes with the reinstatement of the couples and Jack's understanding of the vital necessity of being earnest.

5 Best Oscar Wilde Books of All Time

The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Importance of Being Earnest

De Profundis

Ballad of Reading Gaol

The Happy Prince

& Other Tales

Sources

What To Read Next

5 Best Oscar Wilde Books of All Time

The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Importance of Being Earnest

De Profundis

Ballad of Reading Gaol

The Happy Prince

& Other Tales

Sources

What To Read Next

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