Oscar Wilde

by Philippe Jullian

Philippe Julian's biography of Oscar Wilde. In 400 entertaining pages, Jullian brings to life the flamboyant rise and dramatic fall of Wilde. Some critics say it's the most succinct and witty view of Oscar Wilde ever written.

Genres: Biography

348 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

Philippe Jullian né Philippe Simounet, est un écrivain, dessinateur et graveur, chroniqueur mondain et artistique de son époque.

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’re reading biographies in my household at the moment. However while reading this I was rather jealous of my wife who was reading a biography of Zelda Fitzgerald which she wouldn’t stop talking about in excited tones.

This biography of Wilde is a very cerebral affair. It contains a lot of literary criticism and a lot of information about Wilde’s contemporaries, in France as much as the UK, the author being French. In terms of biographical detail I didn’t learn much that wasn’t contained in the film with Stephen Fry and Jude Law. One thing that did strike me was how conscientiously Wilde’s contemporaries recorded his conversation. It was almost like he had a Twitter account where all his best sayings were preserved for posterity. It would almost seem he was better at performing in public than writing. The author rates his comedies as his finest achievement, an opinion I agree with. “Wilde’s reputation now rests on the memory of a cultivated and charming intelligence, of a prodigiously good comedian unfortunately tempted by tragedy, and on the echo of the supreme dialogue of his plays.”
Extremely well written; a little less riveting. 3.5 stars.

[Sketchbook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jullian's bio of OW (Oscar Wilde) is absolutely the best published. His writing style is rich, epigrammatic, dashing and his insights are remarkable. There are big OW bios - crammed with trivia (his menu for lunch), but as Nancy Mitford said about bio writing, "Facts are not enough."

Jullian is a stylish, imaginative writer and it's unfortunate that many of his books are hard to find. His OW bio is a literary "you can't put down" event. "Oscar had become bored with a wife who could only bring him love. Constance, on the other hand, was tired of fireworks," writes Jullian. OW's plays remind us of Sheridan and Beaumarchais, he adds. So does the writing of Philippe Jullian. An edition w drawings by Beardsley & Beerbohm.

Sums up Jullian : "The person is always more important than his works if he is to become like Wilde a symbol of his era." This bio trumps the pr'd bore by Richard Ellmann.

[Sylvia Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very detailed, scholarly, forensic description of Wilde's life but too dry in places, so I skipped some chapters. Not a light read but certainly showed some interesting background facts to this amazing, talented and complicated writer and individual. I think i should look for an easier book to read unless you want to make a study of Wilde's life but i deeply respect the work that went into this account

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read this twice, Oscars life always fascinates me. It lives in my bookcase next to my easy chair as it’s a great reference book for Victorian literary people.

[Velvetink · Rating 4 out of 5]

review soon

[Morticia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography on OW is well-written and witty, worthy of the poet but it shouldn't be the only one one reads on Oscar. There are flaws and the author seems to not know enough about England at the time, however it is interesting to read a biography written from a French perspective. If, and only if, one has already read a few of the good books on Oscar written by British authors. The lovely thing about this book are the many anecdotes and the way he paints the scenes, particularly the visits to France seem to be filled with other illustrious persons! I enjoyed it, but it's not my favourite on OW.

[Neehal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a number of Oscar Wilde's biographies but this one succeeds in adding a whole new dimension to his life. Apart from telling his story from a different perspective, the book is heavy on historical details - a lot of which I didn't come across in the other biographies. Where other biographies commonly give the picture of a broken man after his jail term, this one tells quite a different story. Overall, its a good read for Oscar fans although some might find it too wordy and a bit of a drag in some parts.

[Tristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely entertaining read, written in a style I think Oscar would approve of.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Oscar Wilde", hard life but so strong...One of my favorite humour.