What do you think?
Rate this book
The Mystery of Love
Making a new life in Europe, she reflects on her marriage with Oscar Wilde . Despite her family's warnings, his affairs and his spending, she knows they loved each other in their own way. In this witty and unsentimental reimagining, Andrew Meehan gives a voice to a woman often relegated to the footnotes of her husband's history, and gives new life to a marriage known for its uncertainty and torment.
256 pages, Paperback
First published February 6, 2020
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 4, 2021
“Do you see me merely as the wife of Oscar Wilde?”
This book tells a story of a woman who was somewhere among the pages of history, she existed, but was not memorable enough to leave a mark. She preferred a peaceful and quiet life but found herself in constant disarray. People came to know her as Constance Wilde.
I really enjoyed the writing style, it was somehow fit with the tone of the book. I almost could feel her hollowness and indifference while reading. The book sets out an interesting depiction of a marriage lost between the two. A father and a husband who was far too immersed in the wonders and beauty of the outside world that he became detached from reality; his kids and family, and who was there to pick up the pieces if not the wife?
Oscar’s footnotes were highly entertaining and witty they amused me to no end. Such an interesting book.
This book tells a story of a woman who was somewhere among the pages of history, she existed, but was not memorable enough to leave a mark. She preferred a peaceful and quiet life but found herself in constant disarray. People came to know her as Constance Wilde.
I really enjoyed the writing style, it was somehow fit with the tone of the book. I almost could feel her hollowness and indifference while reading. The book sets out an interesting depiction of a marriage lost between the two. A father and a husband who was far too immersed in the wonders and beauty of the outside world that he became detached from reality; his kids and family, and who was there to pick up the pieces if not the wife?
Oscar’s footnotes were highly entertaining and witty they amused me to no end. Such an interesting book.
July 21, 2023
This doesn't need to exist. It's not badly written or anything but it does absolutely nothing.
February 25, 2020
The Mystery of Love, Andrew Meehan
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) , Historical Fiction
Well, I've always been interested in Oscar Wilde, flamboyant, scandalous character that flouted Victorian conventions, and sadly paid for it. His legacy of words lives on, but the man himself, what was he really like?What about his home, his family?
I was interested to see his story from another perspective, but Constance seems as confused and lost-in-the-world as Oscar. She seems to live in her on head most of the time. Loyal to Oscar outwardly, and yet happy enough to live away from him. I got the impression here that she was more interested in her ideals and thoughts of Oscar than she was in the man himself. He can't have been an easy man to live with though.
I did feel sorry for the kids, their two boys, who surely paid the greatest price. No stable family home life for them.
I wasn't really a fan of the way the story was delivered, from Constance's point of view, and her inner musings. I did like the Oscar footnotes though, they brought much needed levity to the story. Written in his typical understated dry wit they were the best part for me.
Stars: Two and a half, I didn't like the main story, but Oscar's footnotes made me smile.
Arc via netgalley and publishers
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) , Historical Fiction
Well, I've always been interested in Oscar Wilde, flamboyant, scandalous character that flouted Victorian conventions, and sadly paid for it. His legacy of words lives on, but the man himself, what was he really like?What about his home, his family?
I was interested to see his story from another perspective, but Constance seems as confused and lost-in-the-world as Oscar. She seems to live in her on head most of the time. Loyal to Oscar outwardly, and yet happy enough to live away from him. I got the impression here that she was more interested in her ideals and thoughts of Oscar than she was in the man himself. He can't have been an easy man to live with though.
I did feel sorry for the kids, their two boys, who surely paid the greatest price. No stable family home life for them.
I wasn't really a fan of the way the story was delivered, from Constance's point of view, and her inner musings. I did like the Oscar footnotes though, they brought much needed levity to the story. Written in his typical understated dry wit they were the best part for me.
Stars: Two and a half, I didn't like the main story, but Oscar's footnotes made me smile.
Arc via netgalley and publishers
October 14, 2025
I went with this for a while and was ok with the odd structure, with Wilde commenting on his wife's viewpoint in footnotes. But the utter shallowness of Constance and her increasingly weird descriptions of Oscar's constipation or her own sexual pleasure got to me on the end and I skimmed the final third. I particularly hated the GRATUITOUS USE OF CAPITAL LETTERS for emphasis and the habit of starting a new line with '&' to fit I suppose the sort of stream of conscious.
I picked this up in the library and did not check reviews. Lesson learned again
I picked this up in the library and did not check reviews. Lesson learned again
May 12, 2024
Was really looking forward to this one as I thought it might be an interesting perspective - but aside from a few poetic phrases and occasionally clever interjections in the form of footnotes, I was a little confused and weirded out. Wouldn’t reccommend, unfortunately.
July 4, 2021
Oscar Wilde is certainly a well-known writer but he also remains a fascinating figure in history. His private life and subsequent incarceration have been discussed at length. However, one of the figures involved in his life has largely been pushed into the background. In May 1884, Wilde married Constance Lloyd and the couple had 2 sons. Andrew Meehan's The Mystery of Love aims to recount the story of their marriage through Constance's eyes. The book starts after Oscar has been sent to prison and sees Constance and her sons living in Italy going by the name Holland. She reflects on their relationship and retreads the path that brought her to where she is now. You see inside Constance's head as she questions her decisions. She will often add in Oscar's answers to those questions as she punctuates the narrative with his witty asides. It's something that works really well in the audiobook.
Though it is a story about love and marriage, this isn't a sentimental and romantic book. We know that the Wildes' marriage was no fairytale but there is something quite disconnected about the way it is presented here. Constance isn't exactly presented in the way you'd expect of a woman who has just seen her husband arrested for indecency. She isn't the broken and frail little thing hiding away from the world. She is pretty cold and cynical. Many will go into this novel wanting to sympathise with her but they might end up finding it difficult to warm to her. If you prefer to read about characters that you like, The Mystery of Love might not be for you. Though he doesn't write her as a particularly charismatic person, Meehan creates a complex character in Constance and I enjoyed finding out more about her. The more you learn of her background then the more her attitude makes sense.
Constance comes from a strict family and is unable to act as she wishes. She sees marriage as her only means of escape and, after attending his lecture, she sees Oscar as the opposite of her buttoned-up relatives. She expects their married life to be full and free. Though she has her doubts about the man she intends to marry, Constance puts those fears aside and the pair enter into a fairly happy marriage. Constance is one of the few people who sees both sides of Oscar's personality. She sees the man he presents to society and the man behind closed doors. She is blown away by his way with words and her discourse in the public sphere. Yet, as her husband, she sees him a much less intimidating. He is soppy and soft. She loves him but she won't let him get away with his nonsense. When his outer self starts to move into caricature, Constance refuses to let him get away with it. She is both his biggest fan and his harshest critic.
In the same way, Constance often finds herself getting tired of her children. At times you get the idea that is playing her the idea of motherhood and acting the part well. Then, she will remain indifferent and even irritated by their behaviour. They remind her of their father and the love that she will always hold for him. More than anything, this book shows that Oscar and Constance were a unit. They were both complicated figures and were using each other for their own gain. It's what made their marriage work for so long. I guess what The Mystery of Love does so well is to explain the concept of marriage. The ups and downs of being partners. It is not all sweeping romance and sentimentality. More often, it is based on mutual respect and shared goals. Constance and Oscar may have had a dysfunctional and turbulent but their bond lasted throughout.
It was always going to be tricky for Andrew Meehan to take on the Oscar Wilde story from Constance's perspective, but I think he gets it right. Oscar is a constant presence throughout the narrative and his little asides really do bring to mind his wit. Though there can be no denying that this is Constance's story. You see Oscar from a different perspective and see the timid figure behind the bravado. It's also just great to see Constance as more than a footnote in this story. To show the other side of the coin. This is an engaging and interesting read that I think will work for anyone interested in Wilde's life.
Though it is a story about love and marriage, this isn't a sentimental and romantic book. We know that the Wildes' marriage was no fairytale but there is something quite disconnected about the way it is presented here. Constance isn't exactly presented in the way you'd expect of a woman who has just seen her husband arrested for indecency. She isn't the broken and frail little thing hiding away from the world. She is pretty cold and cynical. Many will go into this novel wanting to sympathise with her but they might end up finding it difficult to warm to her. If you prefer to read about characters that you like, The Mystery of Love might not be for you. Though he doesn't write her as a particularly charismatic person, Meehan creates a complex character in Constance and I enjoyed finding out more about her. The more you learn of her background then the more her attitude makes sense.
Constance comes from a strict family and is unable to act as she wishes. She sees marriage as her only means of escape and, after attending his lecture, she sees Oscar as the opposite of her buttoned-up relatives. She expects their married life to be full and free. Though she has her doubts about the man she intends to marry, Constance puts those fears aside and the pair enter into a fairly happy marriage. Constance is one of the few people who sees both sides of Oscar's personality. She sees the man he presents to society and the man behind closed doors. She is blown away by his way with words and her discourse in the public sphere. Yet, as her husband, she sees him a much less intimidating. He is soppy and soft. She loves him but she won't let him get away with his nonsense. When his outer self starts to move into caricature, Constance refuses to let him get away with it. She is both his biggest fan and his harshest critic.
In the same way, Constance often finds herself getting tired of her children. At times you get the idea that is playing her the idea of motherhood and acting the part well. Then, she will remain indifferent and even irritated by their behaviour. They remind her of their father and the love that she will always hold for him. More than anything, this book shows that Oscar and Constance were a unit. They were both complicated figures and were using each other for their own gain. It's what made their marriage work for so long. I guess what The Mystery of Love does so well is to explain the concept of marriage. The ups and downs of being partners. It is not all sweeping romance and sentimentality. More often, it is based on mutual respect and shared goals. Constance and Oscar may have had a dysfunctional and turbulent but their bond lasted throughout.
It was always going to be tricky for Andrew Meehan to take on the Oscar Wilde story from Constance's perspective, but I think he gets it right. Oscar is a constant presence throughout the narrative and his little asides really do bring to mind his wit. Though there can be no denying that this is Constance's story. You see Oscar from a different perspective and see the timid figure behind the bravado. It's also just great to see Constance as more than a footnote in this story. To show the other side of the coin. This is an engaging and interesting read that I think will work for anyone interested in Wilde's life.
February 6, 2021
I enjoyed this read as it takes you on a journey through Constance and Oscar Wilde’s marriage. It’s reflective and personal yet not sentimental. As the story goes on, we see the complexities of Constance and her life. Marriage isn’t always roses, sometimes it’s disgusting and Constance realises this. We get to see a very internalised perspective and at times you feel as though you are inside her head questioning her.
The interjections from Oscar are provoking and witty and the author does a great job at capturing the essence of him.
It’s an easy read. It’s also refreshing to see a story about someone who the world more often than not forgets.
The interjections from Oscar are provoking and witty and the author does a great job at capturing the essence of him.
It’s an easy read. It’s also refreshing to see a story about someone who the world more often than not forgets.
February 20, 2020
I found this story poignant and engrossing. I was glad to read the point of view of Constance and I found interesting to see the other side to a well known story.
The Oscar's note were fun to read and added a lighter side to the story.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The Oscar's note were fun to read and added a lighter side to the story.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
October 13, 2020
I must admit I know very little about Oscar Wilde, other then the few novels I read by him. But found this book to be compelling and fascinating and the audiobook had a nice flow to it. Perhaps I would given it less stars if I knew a lot about him, but since I don't I'll give it 4 stars
December 8, 2022
What a lovely idea. It was hard to read at parts because of the punctuation choices and the language, but I guess that was a conscious decision. It was a nice story to read, I will probably be thinking about it for a while even though it wasn’t 100% my cup of tea
remove
December 7, 2022book club book was instant fires by this author. i could't get it on audio
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews