Relative Failures: The Lives of Willie Wilde, Mabel Beardsley and Howard Sturgis

by Matthew Sturgis

History remembers the greats – but what about those who lived alongside them?

In the cultural ferment of late nineteenth-century London, three fascinating but often overlooked figures navigated the world in the shadow of their celebrated brothers. Willie Wilde, the hapless yet charming older sibling of Oscar, never quite matched his brother's literary genius. Mabel Beardsley, the striking and ambitious sister of Aubrey, played a crucial role in his artistic ascent before forging her own path on the stage. And Howard Sturgis, a minor novelist with a sharp wit, watched as his brother Julian achieved the success he himself never quite grasped.

Moving through bohemian clubland, West End theatres, literary salons, and the pages of The Yellow Book, these siblings were more than just footnotes to history. Their lives – filled with ambition, scandal, devotion, and missteps – offer a fresh perspective on the glittering world of the 1890s.

Drawing on family history, sharp storytelling, and original research, Matthew Sturgis reveals the vibrant, overlooked figures who shaped their era. For lovers of literary and cultural history, it is an invitation to explore the road less travelled – a sidelight that, as Mabel Beardsley knew well, can sometimes be the most illuminating.

Genres: Biography

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication July 7, 2026

Reviews

[Tzia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great concept for a book and I'm surprised there haven't been more along these lines. Relative Failures follows the lives of three siblings who were in their time 'the other one,' the 'also ran,' and the somehow less brilliant. The siblings could have been forgotten, faded into obscurity but thanks to this author and book they stay with us.

First up is Willie Wilde, older and arguably more brilliant brother to Oscar Wilde. Undeniably gifted, yet somewhat work-shy and never quite managing to settle on anything for himself. Then Mabel Beardsley, sister to Aubrey. Dazzling in her own right and ever close to her brother, Mabel was an aspiring actress who grew somehow greater and more obtuse following the death of her brother. And finally Howard Sturgis, youngest of his siblings and perpetually in the shadow of his then more famous literary genius of a brother Julian.

Their stories are fascinating and all turn in different ways. Meticulously researched and written Relative Failures is a lovely sidelong look at obscure characters, and brings them to life - this is a great read for any fan of literary fiction, Victoriana, or those who are just curious about the life in the shadow of a famous family member.

- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -

[Nienke Schuitemaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital ARC.

What a great title! I found it immediately intriguing and this combined with the prospect of reading about Oscar Wilde's brother made me want to read it. I must confess I hadn't heard about the other two figures this book is about, but that was also a draw, because I don't think I would've picked up a whole book dedicated to either of them. The idea of three biographies in one appealed to me and I very much enjoyed getting to know them, especially Mabel Beardsley.

I really appreciated how well this was researched. It makes for stories that feel very 'alive', which I needed as I don't know too much about the period and the scene these people lived in. The writing style is light in a good way and I liked the author's voice. I underlined this as an example, about Mabel Beardsley: "her rare gift for friendship, and her no less rare gift for being Mabel."

In the end, I think the title only really applies to Willie Wilde and not so much to Mabel Beardsley and Howard Sturgis, but I still love the concept and would happily read more, both in this style and from this author.

[Yvonne Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fascinating journey through the literary and artistic society of late 19th-century Britain, told through the stories of the less successful siblings of three major participants (or maybe two major - Oscar Wilde and Aubrey Beardsley - and one not quite so major - Julian Sturgis). Each story is told separately, and all are very interesting, but it's a little unfair for the book title to imply that the siblings were failures. Each of them provided support to their famous siblings as well as making their own way in life, and although Willie Wilde did fail to live up to his potential, Mabel Beardsley and Howard Sturgis came across as living fulfilled lives. I personally found the whole of the book to be greater than the sum of the parts, because taken together the three accounts painted a vibrant picture of the environment where these families lived and worked and interacted with each other. Would definitely recommend this book.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a pre-publication copy of the manuscript.