Product Description

The Cambridge Companion to Oscar Wilde offers an essential introduction to one of the theatre’s most important and enigmatic writers. Although a general overview, the volume also offers some of the latest thinking on the dramatist and his impact on the twentieth century. Part One places Wilde’s work within the cultural and historical context of his time and includes an opening essay by Wilde’s grandson, Merlin Holland. Further chapters also examine Wilde and the Victorians and his image as a Dandy. Part Two looks at Wilde’s essential work as playwright and general writer, including his poetry, critiques, and fiction, and provides detailed analysis of such key works as Salome and The Importance of Being Earnest among others. The third group of essays examines the themes and factors which shaped Wilde’s work and includes Wilde and his view of the Victorian woman, Wilde’s sexual identities, and interpreting Wilde on stage. The volume also contains a detailed chronology of Wilde’s work, a guide to further reading, and illustrations from important productions.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #158389 in Books
• Published on: 1997-10-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 329 pages

Review
‘The Cambridge Companion is successful in that it acts as a good guide for scholar and amateur alike to the diversity and complexity of Wilde’s work and to the research currently being carried out by scholars on Wilde. Raby does a good job of balancing all the different research interests of the essayists without giving undue weight to any one view, or to any one aspect of Wilde’s œuvre. This book offers an essential guide to Wilde scholarship.’ The Wildean

‘The Cambridge Companion (a particularly refreshing collection of essays) is certainly the first of these volumes a Wilde enthusiast will want to own. Edited by Peter Raby these 15 essays venture more deeply into the manner and more deftly into the manners of the subject than so many works of scholarly inquiry and speculation.’ Los Angeles Times

Customer Reviews

Useful critical overview
This is a fairly comprehensive collection of essays covering much of Wilde's output. They are from recognised figures in the field, such as the author himself, who has written much on the 1890s, and a reworked piece from Richard Ellmann (see his definitive biography of Oscar). They cover a range of modern critical viewpoints, including discourse on sexuality. My only reservation is that the collection does not address Wilde's short stories, which are an area of burgeoning interest. The book has, however, had heavy use from myself and my friends - a testament to its usefulness is that my tutor's copy of the book was stolen when he left his office open to go to the toilet! All in all, if you are doing any prolonged study of Wilde, this book is an invaluable aid, and well worth the price.