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The Wilde Album: Public and Private Images of Oscar Wilde
The most comprehensive collection of photographs and images of Wilde--compiled by his only grandson.
Oscar Wilde was one of the first and unquestionably one of the greatest self-publicists who ever lived. With that exceptional streak of modernity that characterized much of his life and work, he understood the power of the image in his campaign to promote the self. As early as his Oxford days, he had himself photographed with his contemporaries in loud checked suits of the latest fashion. The Wilde Album now publishes more of these images of Oscar than have ever been seen together before, as well as later photographs, some previously unpublished, from the family archive, including rare snapshots of Oscar in his last years in Italy; the famous sitting in New York for Napoleon Sarony in fur coat and velvet suit; and the good, the bad, and the vicious caricatures, cartoons, and lithographs.
In the accompanying text, Merlin Holland examines Wilde's life as reflected in the photographs and images, paying particular attention to his relationships with friends, family, and lovers, as well as the profound influence of his Irish upbringing. He also investigates the reasons for the adverse opinions his work engered and the background to the famous legal battles that finally led to imprisonment and exile.
Oscar Wilde was one of the first and unquestionably one of the greatest self-publicists who ever lived. With that exceptional streak of modernity that characterized much of his life and work, he understood the power of the image in his campaign to promote the self. As early as his Oxford days, he had himself photographed with his contemporaries in loud checked suits of the latest fashion. The Wilde Album now publishes more of these images of Oscar than have ever been seen together before, as well as later photographs, some previously unpublished, from the family archive, including rare snapshots of Oscar in his last years in Italy; the famous sitting in New York for Napoleon Sarony in fur coat and velvet suit; and the good, the bad, and the vicious caricatures, cartoons, and lithographs.
In the accompanying text, Merlin Holland examines Wilde's life as reflected in the photographs and images, paying particular attention to his relationships with friends, family, and lovers, as well as the profound influence of his Irish upbringing. He also investigates the reasons for the adverse opinions his work engered and the background to the famous legal battles that finally led to imprisonment and exile.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
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236 people want to read
About the author
Merlin Holland
33 books45 followersChristopher Merlin Vyvyan Holland is a British biographer and editor. He is the only grandchild of Oscar Wilde, whose life he has researched and written about extensively.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 26, 2024
YES YES YES! This book cleared my skin, fuelled my body, paid my bills ... and whatever else there is that kids these days say. For the longest time, I wanted to read a biography on Oscar Wilde, but I was intimated by their length. The general consensus seems to be that Richard Ellmann's biography is the most thorough and accurate one, but with a whopping 800 pages not necessarily one that I could commit to easily.
By chance, I discovered that Merlin Holland has put together a collection of photographs, sketches, journal entries, etc. of his beloved grandfather, with a short biographical text for context. Exactly what I needed! In a mere 190 pages, Merlin offers us well over 15o photographs (BLESS YOU!) and some biographical notes that you won't find on Wikipedia. The latter excited me as much as the former, as I have already binge read every article and wiki entry there is on Oscar (and the most important people in his life). I was beyond shooketh to learn something new about my bae in this short biography. And those pictures, man, I could cry!
If you're interested in seeing what Oscar looked like as a child and teenager, or what he looked like in a dress and weird hat attire, go pick up this book. You won't regret it. :D Or did you know that Oscar kept a curl of hair of his sister (who did at the tender age of 9) in an envelope which he still had when he did in exile in Paris 33 years later?? (are you sobbing? because I am) Merlin also lets us know that Oscar didn't shy away from getting into fist fights in school when he felt that he or his work were disrespected. I AM DECEASED!
Due to the fact that many of Oscar letters are printed in this book (one of them being the first and last page of his infamous De Profundis), I finally got to learn how to decipher the handwriting of my son. I found it very hard to find high quality pictures of his handwriting on the internet, so that has always been a skill that I have been lacking. No more! I came, I saw, I conquered, bitches! I'll never get over how weirdly he wrote some letters. :D
In 1875, Oscar was asked to fill out a questionnaire and it's the best fucking thing in existence. Among my highlights: he answered that his favorite poets are Euripides, Keats, and himself. I AM SCREAMING! He also said that his favorite occupation is reading his own sonnets. Honestly? SAME! His aim in life was "success, fame or even notoriety." M'BOY??? You sure achieved that.
Another important things to know: Victor Hugo fell asleep during one of his dinners with Oscar, and Oscar was pissed about it. Oscar also said that the Milan Cathedral was "a lapse of taste". There is just one love letter (from Oscar to Constance) that survived the passage of time, but boy oh boy, it's a great letter. (her wedding ring was a sight to behold as well, two halves that are linked with one another, so clever!)
Merlin Holland covers all of the important events in Oscar life: his early days in Trinity College, later Oxford, his series of lectures that he gave in America in the 1880s, the lack of success of his first two plays, the scandal surrounding the subject matter of Dorian Gray, how he became more successful once he spent his time on society place, and then his downfall, starting from his meeting with Bosie to the his infamous trials in which he was sentenced to two years of hard labour for "gross indecency".
As heartbreaking as the trial is, I found it fascinating to get an insight into it, especially into the things Oscar said on those two fateful days. My favorite bit was probably the exchange of blows during the cross examination:
Oh, and I could slap myself but I didn't know that Robbie's ashes are with Oscar in his tomb at Père Lachaise cemetery. Why did I not know this??? Great, now I need to go back to Paris to pay my proper respects to Robbie there; he really was that loyal bitch that stuck with Oscar until his very end. <3
By chance, I discovered that Merlin Holland has put together a collection of photographs, sketches, journal entries, etc. of his beloved grandfather, with a short biographical text for context. Exactly what I needed! In a mere 190 pages, Merlin offers us well over 15o photographs (BLESS YOU!) and some biographical notes that you won't find on Wikipedia. The latter excited me as much as the former, as I have already binge read every article and wiki entry there is on Oscar (and the most important people in his life). I was beyond shooketh to learn something new about my bae in this short biography. And those pictures, man, I could cry!
If you're interested in seeing what Oscar looked like as a child and teenager, or what he looked like in a dress and weird hat attire, go pick up this book. You won't regret it. :D Or did you know that Oscar kept a curl of hair of his sister (who did at the tender age of 9) in an envelope which he still had when he did in exile in Paris 33 years later?? (are you sobbing? because I am) Merlin also lets us know that Oscar didn't shy away from getting into fist fights in school when he felt that he or his work were disrespected. I AM DECEASED!
Due to the fact that many of Oscar letters are printed in this book (one of them being the first and last page of his infamous De Profundis), I finally got to learn how to decipher the handwriting of my son. I found it very hard to find high quality pictures of his handwriting on the internet, so that has always been a skill that I have been lacking. No more! I came, I saw, I conquered, bitches! I'll never get over how weirdly he wrote some letters. :D
In 1875, Oscar was asked to fill out a questionnaire and it's the best fucking thing in existence. Among my highlights: he answered that his favorite poets are Euripides, Keats, and himself. I AM SCREAMING! He also said that his favorite occupation is reading his own sonnets. Honestly? SAME! His aim in life was "success, fame or even notoriety." M'BOY??? You sure achieved that.
Another important things to know: Victor Hugo fell asleep during one of his dinners with Oscar, and Oscar was pissed about it. Oscar also said that the Milan Cathedral was "a lapse of taste". There is just one love letter (from Oscar to Constance) that survived the passage of time, but boy oh boy, it's a great letter. (her wedding ring was a sight to behold as well, two halves that are linked with one another, so clever!)
Merlin Holland covers all of the important events in Oscar life: his early days in Trinity College, later Oxford, his series of lectures that he gave in America in the 1880s, the lack of success of his first two plays, the scandal surrounding the subject matter of Dorian Gray, how he became more successful once he spent his time on society place, and then his downfall, starting from his meeting with Bosie to the his infamous trials in which he was sentenced to two years of hard labour for "gross indecency".
As heartbreaking as the trial is, I found it fascinating to get an insight into it, especially into the things Oscar said on those two fateful days. My favorite bit was probably the exchange of blows during the cross examination:
Oscar: Yes; iced champagne is a favourite drink of mine–strongly against my doctor’s orders.What a gem! But of course, the trial and all its ensuing consequences are just hard to stomach. It makes me so mad that Oscar's name was removed from the roll of honour from his colleges where he exceeded all expectations and graduated with flying colours. His entire library (consisting of 2000 books!) was auctioned off for 130 funds. Let alone, his impoverished exile in Paris where he took to drink and overall, lead a very miserable life until his death three years later. I'll never get over this tragedy.
Carson: Never mind your doctor’s orders, sir!
Oscar Wilde: I never do ...
Oh, and I could slap myself but I didn't know that Robbie's ashes are with Oscar in his tomb at Père Lachaise cemetery. Why did I not know this??? Great, now I need to go back to Paris to pay my proper respects to Robbie there; he really was that loyal bitch that stuck with Oscar until his very end. <3
May 5, 2022
Νομίζω ότι μια βιβλιογραφία δεν θα έπρεπε να είναι διαφορετική από την βιογραφία που έγραψε ο Μέρλιν Χόλαντ για τον παππού του Όσκαρ Ουάϊλντ. Δεν κάνει υποθέσεις, δεν κριτικάρει, δεν βάζει συναίσθημα. Αφήνει το φωτογραφικό υλικό να παράγει συναίσθημα στον αναγνώστη και τα γεγονότα να του δώσουν κριτική ματιά. Πολύ καλογραμμένη, από έναν συγγραφέα που η κληρονομιά του στο όνομα Ουάϊλντ τον καθιστά κατάλληλο για να καταγράψει την πιο φερέγγυα βιογραφία για μια τόσο έξυπνη, αξιοθαύμαστη αλλά συνάμα αυτοκαταστροφική προσωπικότητα.
July 24, 2017
Wow this was a pretty freaking awesome book. It was written by Oscar Wilde's only grandson, Merlin Holland. Oscar sure was lucky to have a grandson who was fascinated enough by his grandfather to even go the point to explore for these extremely obscure photographs and super old posters for "The Importance of Being Ernest". Then again...if one of my grandparents was considered one of the best humorists of the 19th century and was known for his wit and his lyrical/poetry like sense of writing then I think I would do a crap-ton of research on him/her myself...especially if I was their only grandchild.
What I love about this book is how it doesn't mind stalking about any juicy details...like Merlin Holland doesn't shy away from talking about Oscar Wilde's secret affair with a young man while being married with two children (which was considered one of the biggest scandals at the time). It goes in-depth with it and also with Wilde's life overall). It's got some extremely cool and *feminine* photographs of the author, and of course, he looks incredibly hot in every single one.
Oscar Wilde was a very bizarre and eccentric man. He's the kind of guy I would go out and have a steaming cup of coffee over while talking about literature, music, and the latest gossip going around. I'm sure he'd love to live in our modern era. He'd be extremely popular and he would still be as influential as he was to other back in the 1800's. Merlin Holland does a really good job talking about his personality and the daily frustrations he had to go through after being put in prison from his secret affair. It lead to an early death in 1900 and never seeing his wife and children again. That part made me cry a bit.
This is a very moving biography with lots and lots of photos, including carachitures of him done by artists who criticized him as being too "feminine". I have no idea how Merlin Holland was able to find most of these stuff, but he did an excellent job and was incredibly informative. I'm due for an interview with him, soon so maybe I'll post the interview in this review or on Deviantart. I cannot wait.
What I love about this book is how it doesn't mind stalking about any juicy details...like Merlin Holland doesn't shy away from talking about Oscar Wilde's secret affair with a young man while being married with two children (which was considered one of the biggest scandals at the time). It goes in-depth with it and also with Wilde's life overall). It's got some extremely cool and *feminine* photographs of the author, and of course, he looks incredibly hot in every single one.
Oscar Wilde was a very bizarre and eccentric man. He's the kind of guy I would go out and have a steaming cup of coffee over while talking about literature, music, and the latest gossip going around. I'm sure he'd love to live in our modern era. He'd be extremely popular and he would still be as influential as he was to other back in the 1800's. Merlin Holland does a really good job talking about his personality and the daily frustrations he had to go through after being put in prison from his secret affair. It lead to an early death in 1900 and never seeing his wife and children again. That part made me cry a bit.
This is a very moving biography with lots and lots of photos, including carachitures of him done by artists who criticized him as being too "feminine". I have no idea how Merlin Holland was able to find most of these stuff, but he did an excellent job and was incredibly informative. I'm due for an interview with him, soon so maybe I'll post the interview in this review or on Deviantart. I cannot wait.
February 16, 2024
What a great little book! I had never seen some of the photographs before and it was a lot of fun flipping through all of them.
April 9, 2007
I highly recommend that anyone who is a fan of Wilde - the man, not just the author - read Holland's works, as well as his father, Vyvyan's ( Ocsar's son... Holland was the last name he was given after he was adopted by another family after Constance passed away ) .
I found this book to be.. well, tears sprung to my eyes. It offered a different perspective that few even bothered to document.
I found this book to be.. well, tears sprung to my eyes. It offered a different perspective that few even bothered to document.
November 6, 2013
I found myself readying for a trip home on the city bus and discovered I had nothing but movies in my bag, so walked to nearest section of the library and began searching. This book jumped off the shelf at me because of its size; if I didn't like it, I could easily abandon it and read something else. I ended up reading it on commercials on "football Sunday" and thoroughly enjoyed it. I did , however, feel it odd that one man of his time would have sooo many pictures of himself! These weren't candid shots, but posed for. I thought he lived a rather charmed life, even though in the end, his "Coming out" destroyed his life. If you are looking for something short and to the point, I recommend this book.
December 29, 2021
I bought this for $2 back in October because I needed a reference for Halloween and didn't want to have to rely on shitty store WiFi to pull up images via Google. Upon further reading, I realized that not only was this a collection of photos but a very informative (condensed) biography by Wilde's grandson. I read this while lounging in bed and eating half a box of European chocolates and I think that was fitting. I have also never seen a picture with a vibe I want for myself as desperately as the famous aesthetic photo-set.
May 7, 2020
A wonderful book. My main reason for giving it 4 stars as opposed to 5 is simply that it isn't as much information as some of the other biographies I've read, like Oscar Wilde by Richard Ellmann and Wilde in America, but it was still enriching and I enjoyed the pictures. I'm also impressed with Holland's ability to express fondness for his grandfather and yet remain objective in his view of his life and works.
December 7, 2020
A grandson's memoir of his complicated, brilliant, and troubled grandfather. Copiously illustrated with pictures from a family album of memories, the text focuses on the tangled family relationships which formed and defined Wilde, from his parents through his marriage, and on to the scandal which rocked Victorian England. A "can't put it down" book which stands alone or, is an excellent companion to the Ellman biography.
September 30, 2019
Ein unglaublicher Mann, mit unglaublichen Gedanken. Er war einfach unverstanden, in der Zeit falsch aufgehoben. Sein Enkel hat die Geschichte seines Großvaters auf so schöne, illustrierte Art und Weise verpackt in diesem Album - hier wird jeder seinen Gefallen daran finden.
Jeder der Interesse an Wildes Leben hat, sollte sich dieses Album anschauen. Wunderschön und ein purer Lesegenuss!
Jeder der Interesse an Wildes Leben hat, sollte sich dieses Album anschauen. Wunderschön und ein purer Lesegenuss!
September 15, 2022
I appreciated the photos and wish this was just a book of photos with explanations. The narrative provides some insights into the life of Wilde but it doesn’t offer up anything ground breaking or anything in great detail. I feel like the most time is spent focusing on his childhood and college years which give great context to his future decisions.
February 3, 2025
Read it for class and I learned a lot. I knew absolutely nothing about Wilde beforehand but now I know a little bit.
I genuinely think Oscar Wilde would be proud of recent decisions I’ve made…that might not be a good thing but oh well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
I genuinely think Oscar Wilde would be proud of recent decisions I’ve made…that might not be a good thing but oh well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
January 14, 2021
A wonderful collection that was compiled by Wilde’s grandson, Merlin Holland. This is a pocket-sized biography that includes tons of photographs, in which Holland did an amazing job at chronicling Wilde’s life and putting a caption for every picture. It was an absolute pleasure to read but also was sad to hear about the fall of Wilde in society and the result on his family’s lives.
October 23, 2020
This is a beautiful little photography book by Oscar Wilde's grandson.
February 15, 2023
I figured I'd read a little about Oscar Wilde after reading "The New Life." Written by his only grandson, it's filled with photos and memorabilia. Interesting short book.
August 18, 2023
Five stars and a thousand tears
September 18, 2024
Biased and unfair with regard to Bosie, but altogether a very nice collection of photos, which I enjoyed the chance to examine. Some were familiar to me, but a considerable number were entirely new.
May 6, 2009
An absolutely wonderful read! Written by Oscar's Grandson, Melvin Holland, this book includes many family photographs/playhouse posters which won't be found in many books on the same subject. The balance between words and pictures is perfect, the text not going into too much detail and flowing perfectly for it. A must-read for all fans of Oscar Wilde.
December 24, 2011
It's so interesting to read a biography on Oscar Wilde that refers to him as "my grandfather." I was afraid that this would be maybe a bit delusional (because sometimes descendents who publish books seem to have some sort of agenda regarding their ancestors) but Holland is surprisingly objective and clear-eyed. And the pictures! Oscar Wilde gets me in my lady bits.
October 25, 2012
Ένα βιβλίο απο τον εγγονό του Όσκαρ Ουαιλντ με πλούσιο φωτογραφικό υλικό που προσφέρει μια ευσύνοπτη βιογραφία για την ταραχώδη ζωή του παππού του.Προσφέρει μια γεύση της ανήσυχης φύσης του προικισμένου συγγραφέα, αποτελώντας κατ' αυτόν τον τρόπο την ιδανική εισαγωγή για κάποιον που επιθυμεί να εντρυφήσει στα έργα του.
January 2, 2023
GREAT! written by oscar wilde's grandson, who is a Oscolar in his own right. it's small, short, and has lots of rare photos and prints from the era. also a great reference section where i was able to find more books and do more research and study on OW and the people he knew.
April 13, 2010
p. 128 Oscar Wilde: "I love superstitions. They are the colour element of thought and imagination. Common sense is the enemy of romance. Leave us some unreality. Do not make us too offensively sane."
January 29, 2008
A beautifully designed look at Oscar Wilde's family photos arranged by his grandson, whose name really is Merlin.
April 2, 2010
Contains photos of Oscar Wilde with commentary. Nicely put together.
December 11, 2010
An interesting little book by Oscar's grandson. It contains a wealth of photographs and reproductions of artwork. Just a nice little book.
August 18, 2011
written by Oscar Wilde's grandson. lovely and heart-breaking.
March 29, 2014
Beautiful.
October 16, 2014
Fascinating and touching. Accompanied by Holland's loving but clear-eyed capsule biography and commentary.
May 20, 2015
As a huge fan of Wilde this lovely collection of images is a personal memento lovingly put together by Oscar's grandson. It is flawless and a regular go to book. 100% recommend this to all.
April 14, 2017
Merlin Holland es el nieto de Oscar Wilde. Su libro semeja más un álbum familiar con fotos, recuerdos, cartas, acuarelas pintadas por Wilde, etc etc. Un libro encantador que compré en un Barnes&Noble de Washington, DC, esperando que pasarán las tres horas que tenía libres una mañana de invierno, antes de una aburrida reunión con los burócratas del Banco Mundial.
Como es de formato pequeño y tiene casi 200 páginas, estuve cerca de terminarlo pero decidí dedicar la última media hora a tomar un café y comerme un muffin, mientras repasaba otros libros que había comprado.
El libro de Holland lo terminé en la noche en la habitación del hotel. Maravilloso.
Como es de formato pequeño y tiene casi 200 páginas, estuve cerca de terminarlo pero decidí dedicar la última media hora a tomar un café y comerme un muffin, mientras repasaba otros libros que había comprado.
El libro de Holland lo terminé en la noche en la habitación del hotel. Maravilloso.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews