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Coffee with...
Coffee with Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde’s own grandson, with the help of actor and author Simon Callow—who has performed Wilde’s work on stage—capture the essence of this wittiest of all playwrights. Set in Paris, where he fled after the scandalous trial that revealed his homosexuality, Wilde chats about language, his mother (an esteemed Irish folklorist), transforming his life into a work of art (“My great tragedy is that I put my genius into my life—and only my talent into my work”), his time in prison, his concept of morality, and why he thinks “in life, style, not sincerity, is the essential.”
- GenresNonfictionBiographyLGBT
144 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2007
9 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Merlin Holland
33 books44 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 54 reviews
May 22, 2019
You can find this review and more at Novel Notions.
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
I received an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve adored Oscar Wilde for most of my life. My parents used to buy my six Great Illustrated Classics every Christmas, and my favorite of these when I was about eight was The Picture of Dorian Gray. I can’t even count how many times I read that little abridged classic, but I would say that number is in the literal dozens. In fact, I loved it so much that I was afraid of reading the unabridged classic as an adult, for fear that it wouldn’t measure up to the book I had loved so much as a child. I couldn’t have been more wrong, while the illustrated classic of my childhood gave me the story, it didn’t deliver Wilde’s prose. I had no idea what I was missing. Today, Wilde’s original, unabridged novel is one of my very favorite classics I’ve ever read.
In college, I learned the story behind the author, from his flamboyant personality to his time spent in prison. However, while I found him a very interesting individual at that time, I am now completely fascinated by him. That is mostly thanks to this book. Holland has written one of the most engaging biographies I’ve ever read, in large part due to the informal, conversational format. The author imagined himself interviewing Wilde over a cup of coffee, and he managed to beautifully capture Wilde’s well-known voice in these responses. It was a lovely writing decision. I truly felt as though I was sitting in on an interview with a literary icon, and it was immensely enjoyable.
Wilde was the Freddy Mercury of Victorian England, and the world wasn’t ready for him. He was witty and insanely intelligent and obsessed with all things beautiful and pleasurable. He created gorgeous art that far outlived him, but has been forever remembered for his (at the time) shocking lifestyle decisions and the ramifications he suffered for them. Wilde undoubtedly marched to the beat of his own drum, and couldn’t care less that the majority of society didn’t understand that rhythm.
Holland’s little book did an amazing job presenting Wilde’s life, and I read it in an afternoon. My only complaint is that is wasn’t longer. But I think that this conversational style was a perfect choice for crafting an informative, engaging, highly readable biographical overview of a life that captivated and repelled the world in which he lived. I highly recommend this little book to anyone who has any kind of interest in literary rebels. I would love to read more biographical works written along the same lines, and am very open to recommendations!
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
I received an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
“Give a man a mask and he will tell you the truth.”
I’ve adored Oscar Wilde for most of my life. My parents used to buy my six Great Illustrated Classics every Christmas, and my favorite of these when I was about eight was The Picture of Dorian Gray. I can’t even count how many times I read that little abridged classic, but I would say that number is in the literal dozens. In fact, I loved it so much that I was afraid of reading the unabridged classic as an adult, for fear that it wouldn’t measure up to the book I had loved so much as a child. I couldn’t have been more wrong, while the illustrated classic of my childhood gave me the story, it didn’t deliver Wilde’s prose. I had no idea what I was missing. Today, Wilde’s original, unabridged novel is one of my very favorite classics I’ve ever read.
“Love is fed by the imagination, by which we become wiser than we know, better than we feel, nobler than we are. Only what is fine, and finely conceived, can feed Love, but anything can feed Hate…”
In college, I learned the story behind the author, from his flamboyant personality to his time spent in prison. However, while I found him a very interesting individual at that time, I am now completely fascinated by him. That is mostly thanks to this book. Holland has written one of the most engaging biographies I’ve ever read, in large part due to the informal, conversational format. The author imagined himself interviewing Wilde over a cup of coffee, and he managed to beautifully capture Wilde’s well-known voice in these responses. It was a lovely writing decision. I truly felt as though I was sitting in on an interview with a literary icon, and it was immensely enjoyable.
“I realized that there are only two tragedies in this world - one is not getting what one wants and the other is getting it. The second is much worse.”
Wilde was the Freddy Mercury of Victorian England, and the world wasn’t ready for him. He was witty and insanely intelligent and obsessed with all things beautiful and pleasurable. He created gorgeous art that far outlived him, but has been forever remembered for his (at the time) shocking lifestyle decisions and the ramifications he suffered for them. Wilde undoubtedly marched to the beat of his own drum, and couldn’t care less that the majority of society didn’t understand that rhythm.
“To be great is to be misunderstood.”
Holland’s little book did an amazing job presenting Wilde’s life, and I read it in an afternoon. My only complaint is that is wasn’t longer. But I think that this conversational style was a perfect choice for crafting an informative, engaging, highly readable biographical overview of a life that captivated and repelled the world in which he lived. I highly recommend this little book to anyone who has any kind of interest in literary rebels. I would love to read more biographical works written along the same lines, and am very open to recommendations!
“You must never destroy legends; it is through them we are given a glimpse of the real face of a man.”
May 31, 2019
Genre: Fictional Biographies & Memoirs, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Watkins Publishing
Pub. Date: June 11, 2019
This story is one in a series regarding other imagined conversations with legendary people. The infamous Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde (1854-1900) is easily one of the most paramount playwrights of the Victorian age. This novel was originally published under the title “Coffee with Oscar Wilde.” No matter the name, what a treat to review this clever novel about a fictional conversation with Oscar Wilde over coffee and a cigarette. The premise of the tale is that Wilde is being interviewed by an unnamed interviewer. What makes this book so clever is that he is being interviewed in the present. The author never explains how this phenomenon happens. Still, much fun to read Wilde’s possible views on histories’ take on him. Or how appalled Wilde might be to learn that smoking is now frowned upon. “A cigarette is the perfect type of a perfect pleasure.”― Oscar Wilde, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
The novel is set in Paris, where he fled once released from prison after the scandalous trial that revealed his homosexuality. During the trial, he was actually accused of being his character, who never ages, from his novel, “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” The story comes so close to spelling out homosexual desire. In Holland’s book, the author is at his wittiest, channeling Wilde’s feelings about the trial. He does a wonderful job of showing Wilde’s misjudgment on what would be the trial’s outcome. After all, at that time in his life, Oscar was the darling of upper-class society.
In the book’s prologue, the author explains that he did not cut out Wilde’s quotes and sew them back together. He feared that would become a book of one-liners. Instead, he wrote Wilde-like flavored interview answers. Holland did this by heavily researching Wilde’s works and letters. The result feels fresh. This book is a fast (under 200 pages) and delightful read. However, it is easy to imagine that if you are familiar with all the aspects of Wilde’s life then the novel may not be as impressive. Personally, I was surprised to learn that Oscar was married and had two children. I enjoyed reading about the close relationship he had with his mother, and the lover who caused his downfall. I was so impressed with this concept of a fictional memoir that I hope to read “Conversations with Mozart” by Simon Parke.
I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Find all my book reviews at:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
https://books6259.wordpress.com/
https://twitter.com/NeesRecord
https://www.facebook.com/martie.neesr...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amz...
https://www.pinterest.com/martienreco...\
Publisher: Watkins Publishing
Pub. Date: June 11, 2019
This story is one in a series regarding other imagined conversations with legendary people. The infamous Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde (1854-1900) is easily one of the most paramount playwrights of the Victorian age. This novel was originally published under the title “Coffee with Oscar Wilde.” No matter the name, what a treat to review this clever novel about a fictional conversation with Oscar Wilde over coffee and a cigarette. The premise of the tale is that Wilde is being interviewed by an unnamed interviewer. What makes this book so clever is that he is being interviewed in the present. The author never explains how this phenomenon happens. Still, much fun to read Wilde’s possible views on histories’ take on him. Or how appalled Wilde might be to learn that smoking is now frowned upon. “A cigarette is the perfect type of a perfect pleasure.”― Oscar Wilde, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
The novel is set in Paris, where he fled once released from prison after the scandalous trial that revealed his homosexuality. During the trial, he was actually accused of being his character, who never ages, from his novel, “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” The story comes so close to spelling out homosexual desire. In Holland’s book, the author is at his wittiest, channeling Wilde’s feelings about the trial. He does a wonderful job of showing Wilde’s misjudgment on what would be the trial’s outcome. After all, at that time in his life, Oscar was the darling of upper-class society.
In the book’s prologue, the author explains that he did not cut out Wilde’s quotes and sew them back together. He feared that would become a book of one-liners. Instead, he wrote Wilde-like flavored interview answers. Holland did this by heavily researching Wilde’s works and letters. The result feels fresh. This book is a fast (under 200 pages) and delightful read. However, it is easy to imagine that if you are familiar with all the aspects of Wilde’s life then the novel may not be as impressive. Personally, I was surprised to learn that Oscar was married and had two children. I enjoyed reading about the close relationship he had with his mother, and the lover who caused his downfall. I was so impressed with this concept of a fictional memoir that I hope to read “Conversations with Mozart” by Simon Parke.
I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Find all my book reviews at:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
https://books6259.wordpress.com/
https://twitter.com/NeesRecord
https://www.facebook.com/martie.neesr...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amz...
https://www.pinterest.com/martienreco...\
May 14, 2019
“Well, dear boy, this is a surprise, but a very pleasant one, and I’m delighted that you decided on Paris. I don’t think I could have faced going back to London”Who has not at some point read, overheard or discovered themselves quoting a witty epigram accredited to the Irish dramatist Oscar Wilde? We frequently find ourselves able to “resist everything except temptation” or ironically forgiving our enemies because “nothing annoys them so much”, but how often, I wonder, do we stop to consider the person behind the pithy aphorisms?
Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (1854-1900) was a hugely popular playwright and spokesperson for aestheticism in the latter decades of the 19th century. He became successful in numerous spheres, from penning clever essays and writing a Gothic novel (The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1890) to lecturing in America and editing a fashionable ladies’ periodical (The Woman’s World). It was, though, with his amusing but subversive comedies of manners that he became a sensation among Victorian theatregoers. At the very height of his celebrity, however, he was convicted for ‘gross indecency with men’ and sentenced to two-years’ hard labour. On his release in 1897, he was broken in body and spirit. He died alone and in penury at the age of 46.
In his excellent Foreword to Conversations with Wilde, Simon Callow describes Oscar’s fame as “never being greater.” Indeed, in the modern world he is widely remembered for being a gifted writer, conversationalist and gay martyr – but this was far from being true during his lifetime. Indeed, he was treated as a pariah by the British establishment and cast out of ‘decent’ society. As Callow so impeccably asserts: “His savage treatment at the hands of the English law was for many generations a potent image of its vicious absurdity, and its eventual reform is in some senses a posthumous redemption of his suffering.”
Merlin Holland – biographer, editor and sole grandson of Oscar Wilde – has for many years researched his grandfather’s life and works. In this “fictional dialogue based on biographical facts”, Holland deftly traces his distinguished relative from his birth in Dublin to those heady days at Oxford University; through the scintillating conversations in London’s finest drawing rooms to his great literary triumphs; leading us inexorably towards Lord Alfred Douglas and Wilde’s final humiliating downfall.
This innovative little book – part of a series that currently includes Conversations with JFK by Michael O'Brien and Conversations with Casanova by Derek Parker – presents a biographical essay followed by a question and answer style interview with Oscar, which is greatly enhanced by Holland’s intimate knowledge of his subject.
Conversations with Wilde is an entertaining read tinged with sadness and not a little bitterness for the cruel ruination of a unique talent at the peak of his creative genius. It also brings to the fore the many and varied reasons why almost 120 years after his death we continue to adore Oscar Wilde.
Many thanks to Watkins Publishing for providing an advance review copy of this title.
August 29, 2019
3,5 StarsI like the idea of this book series - to have fictional interviews with famous persons and thus share some interesting biographical facts with the reader.
In this case the author is even the grandson of the VIP. Although I'm not sure how much this really helps, since he was born 45 years after the death of Oscar Wilde, and his own father has lived with Wilde only for the first few years of his life and apparently never talked about his father at home after he fell in disgrace.
I wasn't familiar with the fact that Oscar Wilde was sent to prison for being gay. So the chapters about his relationships (also to his wife and sons), the trial and his time in prison were very interesting to me. But I was missing info on Oscar Wilde as a writer! About where he got his ideas from, what he wanted to convey with the texts, what reaction it got from the audience of that time...
Maybe Merlin Holland thought that there is so much secondary literature out there on each of his novels and plays that he does not need to breach these subjects in this very concise little book. And maybe he is right. But for me this book still felt incomplete.
August 4, 2020
"It is above all affection that Oscar Wilde inspires. He regularly tops those lists, complied from time to time, of ideal dinner guests, past or present."
This is FACT and also true for me. This book might be the closest thing to a dinner party with Wilde that I'll ever get. The premise of 'having coffee with Wilde in a Parisian cafe' was the ideal setting and the execution was handled wonderfully. It really did feel like a conversation with an old friend.
This is FACT and also true for me. This book might be the closest thing to a dinner party with Wilde that I'll ever get. The premise of 'having coffee with Wilde in a Parisian cafe' was the ideal setting and the execution was handled wonderfully. It really did feel like a conversation with an old friend.
February 6, 2018
I bought this book on a whim from the display table of a bookstore. The only work I had ever read by Oscar Wilde was The Picture of Dorian Gray, and that too I suspect I didn't fully understand, given I was an eager teenager with an insatiable appetite for books but little knowledge of the things those very books spoke about.
I began reading 'Coffee with Oscar Wilde' after going through a couple of negative reviews on goodreads. Agreed, they may be more nuanced reviews by those more acquainted with Oscar Wilde. But as an introduction to the life and work of Wilde, and even as a standalone book, 'Coffee with Oscar Wilde' is a pretty good (and short) read. I couldn't get enough of the anecdotes and stories sprinkled throughout the dialogue partly conjured up and partly compiled by Wilde's grandson Merlin Holland in the form of a conversation with Wilde, more than a century after his tragic death. This book inducted me into the scandalous yet deeply insightful world of Oscar Wilde, his very public secret life, and his rise and downfall in late Victorian England. As the book ended, I was left with the niggling feeling that it should have been bigger- because I wanted a longer window into Wilde's life. But while the book ended too quickly, it did entice me into wanting to read everything Wilde has ever written, and everything that has been written about him posthumously. And so, for an introduction to Wilde - not the author but the person - this book isn't that bad a start.
I began reading 'Coffee with Oscar Wilde' after going through a couple of negative reviews on goodreads. Agreed, they may be more nuanced reviews by those more acquainted with Oscar Wilde. But as an introduction to the life and work of Wilde, and even as a standalone book, 'Coffee with Oscar Wilde' is a pretty good (and short) read. I couldn't get enough of the anecdotes and stories sprinkled throughout the dialogue partly conjured up and partly compiled by Wilde's grandson Merlin Holland in the form of a conversation with Wilde, more than a century after his tragic death. This book inducted me into the scandalous yet deeply insightful world of Oscar Wilde, his very public secret life, and his rise and downfall in late Victorian England. As the book ended, I was left with the niggling feeling that it should have been bigger- because I wanted a longer window into Wilde's life. But while the book ended too quickly, it did entice me into wanting to read everything Wilde has ever written, and everything that has been written about him posthumously. And so, for an introduction to Wilde - not the author but the person - this book isn't that bad a start.
June 28, 2022
if parasocial relationships are problematic and ineffective, explain why this queer victorian man who has been dead for 122 years is my bestie. exactly.
March 16, 2025
Μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ. Λατρεύω τον Όσκαρ Ουάιλντ και χάρηκα που "ήπια έναν καφέ" μαζί του. Πολύ προσεγμένη δουλειά
May 7, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this book, in exchange for my honest opinion. This book will be available to purchase on June 11th.
I was interested in this book for two reasons: First, I loved The Picture of Dorian Gray. Second, the idea of a fictional conversation with Wilde is fantastically original. The closest to that setup I’ve read is The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, which I really enjoyed, and of course there’s no biographical angle with that.
This book was so much fun! Oscar Wilde was larger than life in many ways, which Holland conveyed with ease. During the course of this book, I realized that I knew far less about his life than I thought. Despite his levity, Oscar Wilde’s life was tragic in many ways.
What set this apart from many other biographies is the sense of fun the entire book had about itself. It really did feel like an interview over cigarettes. I would gladly read more books written in this style by this author.
At less than 200 pages, this books can easily be read in an afternoon, but the facts thrown in, combined with the engaging conversational feel will keep you thinking about it long after you finish the last word. I definitely recommend this fun fact-based fiction.
I was interested in this book for two reasons: First, I loved The Picture of Dorian Gray. Second, the idea of a fictional conversation with Wilde is fantastically original. The closest to that setup I’ve read is The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, which I really enjoyed, and of course there’s no biographical angle with that.
This book was so much fun! Oscar Wilde was larger than life in many ways, which Holland conveyed with ease. During the course of this book, I realized that I knew far less about his life than I thought. Despite his levity, Oscar Wilde’s life was tragic in many ways.
What set this apart from many other biographies is the sense of fun the entire book had about itself. It really did feel like an interview over cigarettes. I would gladly read more books written in this style by this author.
At less than 200 pages, this books can easily be read in an afternoon, but the facts thrown in, combined with the engaging conversational feel will keep you thinking about it long after you finish the last word. I definitely recommend this fun fact-based fiction.
April 25, 2019
Conversations with Oscar Wilde was unlike anything I have ever read. I am by no means an expert of the personal life of Wilde but I am familiar with his works, philosophies, and personal life enough that I can appreciate the care that went into make this work appear authentic. I will admit at first "Wilde's" responses felt forced and almost cheesy but you quickly forgot that you are not actually reading his words and you can easily believe that it was Wilde himself being interviewed in the text.
This was an insightful work, full of detail about Wilde's personal life, and an interesting perspective on his outlook on the events that marked his life. My one criticism of Conversations with Oscar Wilde was that is was not longer and was far too quick a read.
This was an insightful work, full of detail about Wilde's personal life, and an interesting perspective on his outlook on the events that marked his life. My one criticism of Conversations with Oscar Wilde was that is was not longer and was far too quick a read.
August 18, 2008
The concept of this book is really quite a good one: a fictionalized conversation between Oscar Wilde and a nameless persona, interwoven with biographical facts. And, taking into account that it was written by Oscar Wilde's only grandson, I felt that this book really had the potential to be an amazing piece of literature: a long overdue charming, warm, witty, and intimate conversation between grandfather and grandson, even if only imaginary.
But, the book really falls short: not once does Holland mention any ties to Wilde and a conversation that could have been so personal and lovely is really presented instead as a contrived, methodical, even dry Q & A session. The dialogue format seems entirely unnecessary.
I did learn a lot of interesting facts about Oscar Wilde, but I wish the tone of the book was less journalistic and the relationship between the characters, the characters motivations, and the setting more clearly defined.
But, the book really falls short: not once does Holland mention any ties to Wilde and a conversation that could have been so personal and lovely is really presented instead as a contrived, methodical, even dry Q & A session. The dialogue format seems entirely unnecessary.
I did learn a lot of interesting facts about Oscar Wilde, but I wish the tone of the book was less journalistic and the relationship between the characters, the characters motivations, and the setting more clearly defined.
July 3, 2019
I wanted to read this book because I could imagine myself hanging out with Oscar Wilde .
Someone who , in my opinion , born in the wrong century. He was so ahead of his time.
He would have been a great friend to have around . He was a brilliant , quick-thinking, witty , sarcastic , worldly and cosmopolitan man ; who loved beauty and pleasure to the max. I imagine him a mix of David Bowie , Banksy, Freddy Mercury and Andy Warhol
Unorthodox , nonconformist and maverick Wilde left a wonderful body of work but he left to soon .
I enjoyed reading this fusion of fiction and biography, written by Oscar Wilde's grandson . A dream up , conversation with his grandfather.
Thank Netgalley and Watkins Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
#ConversationsWithOscarWildeByMerlinHOlland #NetGalley
Someone who , in my opinion , born in the wrong century. He was so ahead of his time.
He would have been a great friend to have around . He was a brilliant , quick-thinking, witty , sarcastic , worldly and cosmopolitan man ; who loved beauty and pleasure to the max. I imagine him a mix of David Bowie , Banksy, Freddy Mercury and Andy Warhol
Unorthodox , nonconformist and maverick Wilde left a wonderful body of work but he left to soon .
I enjoyed reading this fusion of fiction and biography, written by Oscar Wilde's grandson . A dream up , conversation with his grandfather.
Thank Netgalley and Watkins Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
#ConversationsWithOscarWildeByMerlinHOlland #NetGalley
February 4, 2024
Ένα ενδιαφέρον μικρό ανάγνωσμα, έξυπνα δοσμένο μέσα από λόγια του ιδίου. Μια φανταστική κουβέντα σε μορφή συνέντευξης που δίνει γρήγορα τα σημαντικότερα κομμάτια της σύντομης ζωής ενός ανθρώπου που έζησε σε μια εποχή που δεν μπορούσε να δεχτεί τη διαφορετικότητα κυρίως στη σκέψη και έπρεπε να την καταδικάσει καθώς ήταν απειλή για τα ήθη της "καλής" κοινωνίας ενός λαού που καταδυναστευσε τον πλανήτη χωρίς δεύτερη σκέψη περί ήθους 🌼🌺🌹
December 29, 2015
An intriguing concept that was a little short of an intimate conversation, but deeper than a biography.
February 12, 2021
Οι εκδόσεις Διόπτρα έφεραν στη χώρα μας μια εξαιρετικά πρωτότυπη, έξυπνη και άκρως ενδιαφέρουσα σειρά βιβλίων, την "Συζητώντας με...", όπου διάφοροι συγγραφείς συνομιλούν με μερικούς από τους εξυπνότερους, δημιουργικότερους και ευφυείς ανθρώπους της Ιστορίας της Τέχνης και των Επιστημών. Και μπορεί οι συνομιλίες αυτές να είναι φανταστικές, έχουν όμως τις ρίζες τους στη μελέτη του κάθε προσώπου, στην ανάλυση αυτών, του έργου τους, της προσωπικότητάς τους, όλων εκείνων των στοιχείων που τους χαρακτήρισαν ως μοναδικούς και εξέχουσες προσωπικότητες μέσα στο πέρασμα του χρόνου.
Θα ξεκινήσω με τον Merlin Holland που συζητάει με τον προσωπικό μου αγαπημένο και δικό του παππού, Oscar Wilde -με τη βοήθεια του ηθοποιού και συγγραφέα Simon Callow, που έχοντας δουλέψει με έργα του Wilde στη θεατρική σκηνή έχει μια πιο πλήρη εικόνα του έργου του-, συστήνοντάς μας όχι μόνο τα σημαντικότερα γεγονότα της πολυτάραχης και σκανδαλώδους ζωής ενός ιδιαίτερου ανθρώπου, αλλά και τις σημαντικότερες στιγμές ενός εκ των πιο λαμπρών μυαλών της Βικτοριανής Αγγλίας, που άφησε το στίγμα του ως συγγραφέας αλλά και ως προσωπικότητα. Δεν είναι τυχαίο που τα λόγια του, τα έργα του και τα αποφθέγματά του φτάνουν ολοζώντανα μέχρι τις μέρες μας, ούτε το ότι οι λάτρεις του κυνισμού και του σαρκασμού τον έχουμε σε ένα ψηλό βάθρο στην καρδιά μας, και κάποιες στιγμές, όπως είναι αυτές της ανάγνωσης του συγκεκριμένου βιβλίου, ερωτευόμαστε μαζί του από την αρχή. Μια πολύ καλή και ιδιαίτερα ρεαλιστική απεικόνιση μιας συζήτησης που πολλές έχω ονειρευτεί πως κι εγώ η ίδια θα ήθελα να κάνω.
Θα ξεκινήσω με τον Merlin Holland που συζητάει με τον προσωπικό μου αγαπημένο και δικό του παππού, Oscar Wilde -με τη βοήθεια του ηθοποιού και συγγραφέα Simon Callow, που έχοντας δουλέψει με έργα του Wilde στη θεατρική σκηνή έχει μια πιο πλήρη εικόνα του έργου του-, συστήνοντάς μας όχι μόνο τα σημαντικότερα γεγονότα της πολυτάραχης και σκανδαλώδους ζωής ενός ιδιαίτερου ανθρώπου, αλλά και τις σημαντικότερες στιγμές ενός εκ των πιο λαμπρών μυαλών της Βικτοριανής Αγγλίας, που άφησε το στίγμα του ως συγγραφέας αλλά και ως προσωπικότητα. Δεν είναι τυχαίο που τα λόγια του, τα έργα του και τα αποφθέγματά του φτάνουν ολοζώντανα μέχρι τις μέρες μας, ούτε το ότι οι λάτρεις του κυνισμού και του σαρκασμού τον έχουμε σε ένα ψηλό βάθρο στην καρδιά μας, και κάποιες στιγμές, όπως είναι αυτές της ανάγνωσης του συγκεκριμένου βιβλίου, ερωτευόμαστε μαζί του από την αρχή. Μια πολύ καλή και ιδιαίτερα ρεαλιστική απεικόνιση μιας συζήτησης που πολλές έχω ονειρευτεί πως κι εγώ η ίδια θα ήθελα να κάνω.
July 1, 2019
Thanks to Watkins Publishing and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Many years ago, when Marks & Spencer was called St Michael my mother bought my siblings and I a video. It was a double feature of The Snowman and The Happy Prince. I know what you’re thinking but it was the eighties, traumatising your children was de rigeur. Since those days my siblings and I have quoted The Happy Prince hundreds of times. It’s part of our “make someone cry” challenge and it’s the only VHS I still own.
From that, in my teens I developed a love of Wilde’s other works and he has a firm place on my list of fantasy dinner party guests. I went to his grave at Pere Lachaise in Paris (before they put the barrier up) so long story short, I thought this sounded intriguing.
This is a short book, and essentially is a fictional interview with Oscar Wilde. This is a brave undertaking for anyone to commit to, but I think overall, it was done well. It felt a bit jarring at the beginning but once things got into their stride it started to flow more naturally. It’s not easy to capture a voice as unique as Wilde’s but it felt credible. The author managed to capture Wilde’s wit and charm whilst also exploring some of the more difficult things he experienced in his life before his tragic early death. Do Lord Byron next!
Overall, an enjoyable read and an interesting concept to explore.
Many years ago, when Marks & Spencer was called St Michael my mother bought my siblings and I a video. It was a double feature of The Snowman and The Happy Prince. I know what you’re thinking but it was the eighties, traumatising your children was de rigeur. Since those days my siblings and I have quoted The Happy Prince hundreds of times. It’s part of our “make someone cry” challenge and it’s the only VHS I still own.
From that, in my teens I developed a love of Wilde’s other works and he has a firm place on my list of fantasy dinner party guests. I went to his grave at Pere Lachaise in Paris (before they put the barrier up) so long story short, I thought this sounded intriguing.
This is a short book, and essentially is a fictional interview with Oscar Wilde. This is a brave undertaking for anyone to commit to, but I think overall, it was done well. It felt a bit jarring at the beginning but once things got into their stride it started to flow more naturally. It’s not easy to capture a voice as unique as Wilde’s but it felt credible. The author managed to capture Wilde’s wit and charm whilst also exploring some of the more difficult things he experienced in his life before his tragic early death. Do Lord Byron next!
Overall, an enjoyable read and an interesting concept to explore.
May 23, 2019
I would like to thank netgalley and Watkins Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
A rather strange mash up of biography and fiction. Written by Wilde's grandson it imagines a fictional conversation with Wilde about his life.
I learned a lot and have lots of recommendations to read more about Wilde. The conversation did sound as you would imagine Wilde to sound, if only because the author has taken quotes from Wilde's work and life, taken them out of context and mashed them up.
A rather strange mash up of biography and fiction. Written by Wilde's grandson it imagines a fictional conversation with Wilde about his life.
I learned a lot and have lots of recommendations to read more about Wilde. The conversation did sound as you would imagine Wilde to sound, if only because the author has taken quotes from Wilde's work and life, taken them out of context and mashed them up.
June 15, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book- after doing my MA in Dublin, my love for Wilde only grew. Wilde is endlessly fascinating, and this book is quite a fun way to quickly cover all of the interesting bits of his life. It also isn't bound to conventional biographical style; Holland (the only grandchild of Wilde) takes a playful and sarcastic approach to Wilde, and it entirely suits him.
I loved this book- after doing my MA in Dublin, my love for Wilde only grew. Wilde is endlessly fascinating, and this book is quite a fun way to quickly cover all of the interesting bits of his life. It also isn't bound to conventional biographical style; Holland (the only grandchild of Wilde) takes a playful and sarcastic approach to Wilde, and it entirely suits him.
July 4, 2019
Conversations with Wilde by Merlin Holland is fiction. Yes the author made up the interview questions as well as the answers. And it does feel Wildean. The author has used Wilde's works and comments to make up the answers so it does have verisimilitude. It is a lot of fun and you don't doubt its accuracy. If you like Oscar Wilde you will certainly like these clever conversations. For you it would be a "must read".
July 11, 2019
I adore Oscar Wilde, and the concept of this short but charming book was absolutely irresistible. Imagined by Wilde's own grandson, a fictional conversation with the (in)famous playwright, novelist and poet takes the reader through Wilde's tumultuous life in a dialogue peppered with quotes, direct and paraphrased, from his various writings.
January 19, 2023
I have always respected and looked up to his way of thinking simply from the quotes I have heard. This book was just on a table of a coffee shop and sped read it. The book as a whole is odd, and not sure what I got from it other than sporadic quotes of deep intellect, and perspective that reached beyond his time.
June 7, 2019
I'm a huge fan of Oscar Wilde and was very happy when this ARC was approved.
It was great to read something about him from a new and refreshing perspective and the Q&A part was great.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It was great to read something about him from a new and refreshing perspective and the Q&A part was great.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
January 4, 2020
This was apretty enjoyable book. I particularly enjoyed "Wilde's" surprising outlook on his life and the events that marked it. The format, although a bit dry, was much appreciated, since it made an otherwise boring biography very intriguing and fun-to-read.
February 3, 2020
2.75 Not quite what I though it would be. Very short "biography" written in a fictionalized, conversational tone, with Wilde talking about various aspects of his life. OK for a quick intro to Wilde, if you don't know anything about him, but does not go very deep.
November 4, 2021
A short, but insightful, peek into the life and imagination of Oscar Wilde. Merlin Holland is Oscar Wilde's grandson and has researched his grandfather's life and works, so he writes with some validity in creating an imaginary interview.
April 29, 2018
Cute quick read. If you know about his life, this is a cute bio with commentary which Oscar could have said. I liked it.
June 18, 2019
This was a very unique way to educate and entertain the reader! I enjoyed the conversational element of this book. Very well-written!
March 29, 2020
Great intro to Wilde
February 18, 2021
An intimate and touching conversation with Oscar. Got to know many aspects of this great personality.
January 15, 2023
More or less a biography of Oscar Wilde written in the form of a fictional interview between Wilde and the author.
Not quite what I was expecting, but a nice read all the same!
Not quite what I was expecting, but a nice read all the same!
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