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Stories for All Ages
One of Wilde's biggest fans, Stephen Fry, has selected his favorite stories and supplied short introductions to each, explaining why they mean so much to him and why they should mean a lot to all readers, young and old. Meet the selfish giant, whose garden was cloaked in perpetual winter until he allowed the children to enter and play; the happy prince whose statue stood overlooking his city, who gave the rubies and sapphires embedded in his eyes and clothing to feed the poor; and the tiny swallow who helped him. And let's not forget the remarkable rocket who was so convinced that he would be the brightest, most remarkable rocket of all, yet who ended up in a ditch. There's also the Canterville ghost, so inept at being scary that every attempt to spook his American visitors results in failure. Illustrated by Nicole Stewart, stunning artwork accompanies each story to give shape to the reader's imagination.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
14 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Oscar Wilde
5,483 books38.8k followersOscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish poet and playwright. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular playwrights in London in the early 1890s. He is best remembered for his epigrams and plays, his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, and his criminal conviction for gross indecency for homosexual acts.
Wilde's parents were Anglo-Irish intellectuals in Dublin. In his youth, Wilde learned to speak fluent French and German. At university, he read Greats; he demonstrated himself to be an exceptional classicist, first at Trinity College Dublin, then at Magdalen College, Oxford. He became associated with the emerging philosophy of aestheticism, led by two of his tutors, Walter Pater and John Ruskin. After university, Wilde moved to London into fashionable cultural and social circles.
Wilde tried his hand at various literary activities: he wrote a play, published a book of poems, lectured in the United States and Canada on "The English Renaissance" in art and interior decoration, and then returned to London where he lectured on his American travels and wrote reviews for various periodicals. Known for his biting wit, flamboyant dress and glittering conversational skill, Wilde became one of the best-known personalities of his day. At the turn of the 1890s, he refined his ideas about the supremacy of art in a series of dialogues and essays, and incorporated themes of decadence, duplicity, and beauty into what would be his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890). Wilde returned to drama, writing Salome (1891) in French while in Paris, but it was refused a licence for England due to an absolute prohibition on the portrayal of Biblical subjects on the English stage. Undiscouraged, Wilde produced four society comedies in the early 1890s, which made him one of the most successful playwrights of late-Victorian London.
At the height of his fame and success, while An Ideal Husband (1895) and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) were still being performed in London, Wilde issued a civil writ against John Sholto Douglas, the 9th Marquess of Queensberry for criminal libel. The Marquess was the father of Wilde's lover, Lord Alfred Douglas. The libel hearings unearthed evidence that caused Wilde to drop his charges and led to his own arrest and criminal prosecution for gross indecency with other males. The jury was unable to reach a verdict and so a retrial was ordered. In the second trial Wilde was convicted and sentenced to two years' hard labour, the maximum penalty, and was jailed from 1895 to 1897. During his last year in prison he wrote De Profundis (published posthumously in abridged form in 1905), a long letter that discusses his spiritual journey through his trials and is a dark counterpoint to his earlier philosophy of pleasure. On the day of his release, he caught the overnight steamer to France, never to return to Britain or Ireland. In France and Italy, he wrote his last work, The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898), a long poem commemorating the harsh rhythms of prison life.
Wilde's parents were Anglo-Irish intellectuals in Dublin. In his youth, Wilde learned to speak fluent French and German. At university, he read Greats; he demonstrated himself to be an exceptional classicist, first at Trinity College Dublin, then at Magdalen College, Oxford. He became associated with the emerging philosophy of aestheticism, led by two of his tutors, Walter Pater and John Ruskin. After university, Wilde moved to London into fashionable cultural and social circles.
Wilde tried his hand at various literary activities: he wrote a play, published a book of poems, lectured in the United States and Canada on "The English Renaissance" in art and interior decoration, and then returned to London where he lectured on his American travels and wrote reviews for various periodicals. Known for his biting wit, flamboyant dress and glittering conversational skill, Wilde became one of the best-known personalities of his day. At the turn of the 1890s, he refined his ideas about the supremacy of art in a series of dialogues and essays, and incorporated themes of decadence, duplicity, and beauty into what would be his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890). Wilde returned to drama, writing Salome (1891) in French while in Paris, but it was refused a licence for England due to an absolute prohibition on the portrayal of Biblical subjects on the English stage. Undiscouraged, Wilde produced four society comedies in the early 1890s, which made him one of the most successful playwrights of late-Victorian London.
At the height of his fame and success, while An Ideal Husband (1895) and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) were still being performed in London, Wilde issued a civil writ against John Sholto Douglas, the 9th Marquess of Queensberry for criminal libel. The Marquess was the father of Wilde's lover, Lord Alfred Douglas. The libel hearings unearthed evidence that caused Wilde to drop his charges and led to his own arrest and criminal prosecution for gross indecency with other males. The jury was unable to reach a verdict and so a retrial was ordered. In the second trial Wilde was convicted and sentenced to two years' hard labour, the maximum penalty, and was jailed from 1895 to 1897. During his last year in prison he wrote De Profundis (published posthumously in abridged form in 1905), a long letter that discusses his spiritual journey through his trials and is a dark counterpoint to his earlier philosophy of pleasure. On the day of his release, he caught the overnight steamer to France, never to return to Britain or Ireland. In France and Italy, he wrote his last work, The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898), a long poem commemorating the harsh rhythms of prison life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
December 22, 2018
This short collection of Oscar Wilde stories read by Stephen Fry (oh, wait: 'National Treasure Stephen Fry'... sorry) is superb. Don't misunderstand me; I freely admit that I could happily listen to Fry reading the dictionary, he's such a great reader... but the material here is just as good as the delivery.
Every story included here is beautifully written and very moving. Included here is the story 'The Selfish Giant', which has been a favourite of mine since early childhood. Until I came across this collection, however, I had absolutely no idea it was written by Wilde.
Sadly, this seems to be exclusive to Audible but, if you have an Audible account, do yourself a favour and check it out.
Every story included here is beautifully written and very moving. Included here is the story 'The Selfish Giant', which has been a favourite of mine since early childhood. Until I came across this collection, however, I had absolutely no idea it was written by Wilde.
Sadly, this seems to be exclusive to Audible but, if you have an Audible account, do yourself a favour and check it out.
January 31, 2021
The absolute favourites forevermore
The Young King, The Nightingale and the Rose, The Devoted Friend , and of course The Happy Prince ♥️
No matter how many times I've read these stories, each time they touch my heart and move my soul. Beautiful, simple, heart warming and full of delicate touches of selfless human emotions! Simply Love!
The Young King, The Nightingale and the Rose, The Devoted Friend , and of course The Happy Prince ♥️
No matter how many times I've read these stories, each time they touch my heart and move my soul. Beautiful, simple, heart warming and full of delicate touches of selfless human emotions! Simply Love!
February 27, 2019
I came across this audiobook version of Wilde's short stories, and was delighted to discover that each story was just about the length of the time of my bus journey to work. I had never read the stories before and presently surprised by how good they are. great narration by Stephen Fry.
July 18, 2015
3.5 stars
I was surprised to recognise two of these stories from one of my old children's story books: The Selfish Giant and The Happy Prince. I thought they were always a bit depressing and noticed that I still feel the same way about them now, along with the other stories in this audiobook.
They remind me a bit of The Little Matchstick Girl; also a beautiful story teaching some important morals, but SO depressing. "And then she just died. The End."
Oscar Wilde's stories are certainly different from the standard ones, but I just wanted less death/unhappy endings before going to sleep. The Devoted Friend just downright outraged me. Going to sleep with a "WHAT?!?!"-feeling is not why I chose to listen to audiobooks. They're supposed to help me with falling asleep easier, not getting all worked up over them. Then again, I have an extremely low tolerance for injustice, so maybe stories like these are just not meant for me in the first place.
I gave it 3.5 stars nevertheless because they ARE unique stories and I LOVE Stephen Fry and his narrating skills. I wish all my audiobooks were narrated by him :-).
I was surprised to recognise two of these stories from one of my old children's story books: The Selfish Giant and The Happy Prince. I thought they were always a bit depressing and noticed that I still feel the same way about them now, along with the other stories in this audiobook.
They remind me a bit of The Little Matchstick Girl; also a beautiful story teaching some important morals, but SO depressing. "And then she just died. The End."
Oscar Wilde's stories are certainly different from the standard ones, but I just wanted less death/unhappy endings before going to sleep. The Devoted Friend just downright outraged me. Going to sleep with a "WHAT?!?!"-feeling is not why I chose to listen to audiobooks. They're supposed to help me with falling asleep easier, not getting all worked up over them. Then again, I have an extremely low tolerance for injustice, so maybe stories like these are just not meant for me in the first place.
I gave it 3.5 stars nevertheless because they ARE unique stories and I LOVE Stephen Fry and his narrating skills. I wish all my audiobooks were narrated by him :-).
February 3, 2017
Wilde (1997) is one of my all-time favorite films in which Stephen Fry palyed Oscar Wilde. Having watched the movie several times, Fry became Oscar in my mind. So, listening to this audiobook made me feel like Oscar Wilde himself was reading his stories to me. I love that! And I also enjoyed the stories. They are lovely and wonderful. Each of these stories has Oscar's wit, genius and philosophy. They are not just for children but for all ages.
August 11, 2023
The stories were marvelous and Stephen Fry's narration was outstanding.
August 1, 2019
“Then she gave one last burst of music. The white Moon heard it, and she forgot the dawn, and lingered on in the sky. The red rose heard it, and it trembled all over with ecstasy, and opened its petals to the cold morning air. Echo bore it to her purple cavern in the hills, and woke the sleeping shepherds from their dreams. It floated through the reeds of the river, and they carried its message to the sea.”
-The Nightingale and the Rose
I’ve been a fan of Stephen Fry for about fifteen years now, so I know that he idolizes Oscar Wilde (he also played him in the ‘90s film Wilde) and it really shows in this book.
His inner fanboy enables him to provide the reader with useful information and insightful thoughts about Wilde’s life and work. Although I must add that Fry’s enthusiasm also causes him to repeat himself. He keeps pointing out that Wilde was a dandy, that his fate was tragic, and that the reader doesn’t need to have any knowledge of Wilde to understand these stories.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love it when people are so passionate about something that they find it almost impossible to stop talking about it and they just keep rambling on and on about the same thing, but after a while I couldn’t help but think ‘Yes Stephen, I know… you’ve said this already… multiple times….’
It is also noticeable that Fry was influenced by Wilde’s work, because the humour in these stories is the same witty and satirical humour you can expect from Fry (and his comedy partner Hugh Laurie). Puns that make you chuckle at their cleverness, or that almost make you do a smiling facepalm.
The following quotes from Oscar Wilde’s Stories for All Ages are very reminiscent of Fry and Laurie’s writing style (tip: watch the A Bit of Fry and Laurie sketch Low Self-Esteem, the Saturday Live sketch Maximum Security Poetry, or the sketch The Letter that Fry first performed for the Cambridge Footlights Revue in ’82 and later performed again in ’86 and ’90):
“…, the daughter of a retired Colonel who had lost his temper and his digestion in India, and had never found either of them again.”
–The Model Millionaire
“… and the King gave orders that the Page’s salary was to be doubled. As he received no salary at all this was not of much use to him, but it was considered a great honour, and was duly published in the Court Gazette.”
–The Remarkable Rocket
“Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, language.”
–The Canterville Ghost
“I like hearing myself talk. It is one of my greatest pleasures. I often have long conversations all by myself, and I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.”
–The Remarkable Rocket
Now, enough rambling about the compiler of this collection and on to the actual stories.
The Happy Prince, The Nightingale and the Rose, and The Birthday of the Infanta are heartbreaking, The Remarkable Rocket is very comical, The Fisherman and his Soul and The Star-Child are quite dark, and The Young King and The Selfish Giant are the most uplifting.
My favourites are The Happy Prince, a sad and beautiful story, and The Canterville Ghost, an almost cartoonishly funny story (I visualised it in my mind as a combination of Scooby-Doo and The Addams Family) with a beautifully sad ending.
My least favourites are The Devoted Friend and The Model Millionaire that lack the magic and charm the other stories have. The Remarkable Rocket made me chuckle at almost every page, The Fisherman and His Soul drew me into its detailed and tragic story, and The Happy Prince very nearly made me cry, but The Devoted Friend and The Model Millionaire didn’t make me feel anything.
On a side note, when reading The Fisherman and his Soul I was reminded of the horcruxes in Harry Potter, specifically Slytherin’s locket.
It’s about a fisherman who cuts his soul off and who later gets tempted by his soul to do evil things. And when the fisherman is trying to resist the temptations of the soul, the story provides the following quote: “’Love is better than wisdom, and more precious than riches, and fairer than the feet of the daughters of men. The fires cannot destroy it, nor can the waters quench it.’” Besides it being a powerful and inspiring quote, it’s also reminiscent of the ‘love trumps evil’ idea in Harry Potter.
But anyway, I digress.
I should also touch on the subject of Nicole Stewart’s artwork. To be blunt, I could have done without it. To be less blunt, this is very much a matter of personal taste. Objectively I can tell that Stewart’s illustrations are of good quality, but her style is simply not my cup of tea. When it comes to drawings accompanying text, I’m more into Chris Riddell’s artwork.
Also, I feel like Oscar Wilde’s writing is so visual and detailed that it doesn’t need to be brought to life by illustrations. He himself puts pictures in the reader’s mind with his magnificent writing and it is unnecessary to breathe life into something that is already so very much alive.
In the end, Wilde’s gorgeous writing style, the mix of humour and heartbreak in the stories, Fry’s enthusiastic, informative, and insightful, though sometimes repetitive, introductions, and Stewart’s good but unnecessary artwork make me give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
This review can also be found on writtenbylarissa.com: https://writtenbylarissa.com/2019/08/...
-The Nightingale and the Rose
I’ve been a fan of Stephen Fry for about fifteen years now, so I know that he idolizes Oscar Wilde (he also played him in the ‘90s film Wilde) and it really shows in this book.
His inner fanboy enables him to provide the reader with useful information and insightful thoughts about Wilde’s life and work. Although I must add that Fry’s enthusiasm also causes him to repeat himself. He keeps pointing out that Wilde was a dandy, that his fate was tragic, and that the reader doesn’t need to have any knowledge of Wilde to understand these stories.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love it when people are so passionate about something that they find it almost impossible to stop talking about it and they just keep rambling on and on about the same thing, but after a while I couldn’t help but think ‘Yes Stephen, I know… you’ve said this already… multiple times….’
It is also noticeable that Fry was influenced by Wilde’s work, because the humour in these stories is the same witty and satirical humour you can expect from Fry (and his comedy partner Hugh Laurie). Puns that make you chuckle at their cleverness, or that almost make you do a smiling facepalm.
The following quotes from Oscar Wilde’s Stories for All Ages are very reminiscent of Fry and Laurie’s writing style (tip: watch the A Bit of Fry and Laurie sketch Low Self-Esteem, the Saturday Live sketch Maximum Security Poetry, or the sketch The Letter that Fry first performed for the Cambridge Footlights Revue in ’82 and later performed again in ’86 and ’90):
“…, the daughter of a retired Colonel who had lost his temper and his digestion in India, and had never found either of them again.”
–The Model Millionaire
“… and the King gave orders that the Page’s salary was to be doubled. As he received no salary at all this was not of much use to him, but it was considered a great honour, and was duly published in the Court Gazette.”
–The Remarkable Rocket
“Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, language.”
–The Canterville Ghost
“I like hearing myself talk. It is one of my greatest pleasures. I often have long conversations all by myself, and I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.”
–The Remarkable Rocket
Now, enough rambling about the compiler of this collection and on to the actual stories.
The Happy Prince, The Nightingale and the Rose, and The Birthday of the Infanta are heartbreaking, The Remarkable Rocket is very comical, The Fisherman and his Soul and The Star-Child are quite dark, and The Young King and The Selfish Giant are the most uplifting.
My favourites are The Happy Prince, a sad and beautiful story, and The Canterville Ghost, an almost cartoonishly funny story (I visualised it in my mind as a combination of Scooby-Doo and The Addams Family) with a beautifully sad ending.
My least favourites are The Devoted Friend and The Model Millionaire that lack the magic and charm the other stories have. The Remarkable Rocket made me chuckle at almost every page, The Fisherman and His Soul drew me into its detailed and tragic story, and The Happy Prince very nearly made me cry, but The Devoted Friend and The Model Millionaire didn’t make me feel anything.
On a side note, when reading The Fisherman and his Soul I was reminded of the horcruxes in Harry Potter, specifically Slytherin’s locket.
It’s about a fisherman who cuts his soul off and who later gets tempted by his soul to do evil things. And when the fisherman is trying to resist the temptations of the soul, the story provides the following quote: “’Love is better than wisdom, and more precious than riches, and fairer than the feet of the daughters of men. The fires cannot destroy it, nor can the waters quench it.’” Besides it being a powerful and inspiring quote, it’s also reminiscent of the ‘love trumps evil’ idea in Harry Potter.
But anyway, I digress.
I should also touch on the subject of Nicole Stewart’s artwork. To be blunt, I could have done without it. To be less blunt, this is very much a matter of personal taste. Objectively I can tell that Stewart’s illustrations are of good quality, but her style is simply not my cup of tea. When it comes to drawings accompanying text, I’m more into Chris Riddell’s artwork.
Also, I feel like Oscar Wilde’s writing is so visual and detailed that it doesn’t need to be brought to life by illustrations. He himself puts pictures in the reader’s mind with his magnificent writing and it is unnecessary to breathe life into something that is already so very much alive.
In the end, Wilde’s gorgeous writing style, the mix of humour and heartbreak in the stories, Fry’s enthusiastic, informative, and insightful, though sometimes repetitive, introductions, and Stewart’s good but unnecessary artwork make me give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
This review can also be found on writtenbylarissa.com: https://writtenbylarissa.com/2019/08/...
July 29, 2014
A truly outstanding selection of stories. Every single one of them could be applied to modern life and society in some way. For example, the third could be interpreted as a look at martyrdom. The fourth story (about a firework) could be a commentary on self important celebrities who don't do real work. The sixth (and final) story could be a comment on 'style over substance'. I can also recommend getting the audio version, which is narrated by Stephen Fry.
February 19, 2014
I enjoyed these Oscar Wilde children's stories. The reading by Stephen Fry was, of course, exceptional. The stories were interesting and clever, as you would expect from Wilde. What I didn't like was the rampant moralizing. Just because I story is for children doesn't mean it has to bludgeon the reader with a moral. How about art for enjoyment and inspiration, even for children?
March 31, 2015
I can't help becoming misty eyed when ever I revisit: "The Nightingale and the Rose" and "The Happy Prince." This is a great book with Stephen Fry's notes. There is also an audio version of Fry reading these stories, which sounds pleasant, but I haven't listened to it beyond the preview.
October 19, 2020
#lerosclássicos
Ouvi o audiolivro narrado pelo maravilhoso Stephen Fry. Ainda que sejam maioritariamente contos para crianças, a ideia de classe e preconceito está sempre presente aqui. Gostei mais de uns que de outros, mas no geral uma colectânea bonita e agradável de ler.
Ouvi o audiolivro narrado pelo maravilhoso Stephen Fry. Ainda que sejam maioritariamente contos para crianças, a ideia de classe e preconceito está sempre presente aqui. Gostei mais de uns que de outros, mas no geral uma colectânea bonita e agradável de ler.
February 28, 2024
Stephen Fry Presents: Oscar Wilde's Stories For All Ages is a captivating bridge between Oscar Wilde's timeless literary craftsmanship and Stephen Fry's unparalleled narrative passion, creating an auditory feast that delights listeners of every age. This collection, featuring tales such as "The Happy Prince," "The Nightingale and the Rose," "The Selfish Giant," "The Devoted Friend," and "The Remarkable Rocket," is enriched immeasurably by Fry's vibrant narration. His delivery brings Wilde's characters to life with such enthusiasm and depth that it's as if they are speaking directly to the listener, dancing through their tales of wisdom, wit, and wonder. Fry's ability to capture the essence of Wilde’s humor and the profound morals embedded in these stories transforms each piece into an immersive experience, showcasing the timeless relevance of Wilde’s themes of kindness, beauty, and the complexities of human nature.
The selection of stories in this audiobook is a testament to Wilde’s genius in crafting narratives that blend fantastical elements with poignant, universal truths. "The Happy Prince" and "The Selfish Giant," for example, are not merely tales for children but profound reflections on compassion, sacrifice, and redemption that resonate with adults. Stephen Fry’s narration adds a layer of warmth and insight to these narratives, making the morals and messages of Wilde’s work all the more impactful. His presentation ensures that the irony and wit of Wilde’s prose are as compelling to today’s listeners as they were to readers in Wilde’s own time, highlighting the enduring power of well-told stories to inspire and entertain.
In essence, Stephen Fry Presents: Oscar Wilde's Stories For All Ages is more than just an audiobook; it's an invitation to explore the depth and richness of Oscar Wilde's vision through the lens of Stephen Fry’s spirited narration. The blend of Fry's empathetic voice with Wilde's storytelling prowess creates an enchanting listening experience that leaves a lasting impression. As the final story fades, the listener is left longing for more, a testament to the collection's ability to engage and captivate. This audiobook stands as a vibrant celebration of storytelling, showcasing how tales crafted in the past can continue to enlighten, amuse, and inspire, transcending age and time.
The selection of stories in this audiobook is a testament to Wilde’s genius in crafting narratives that blend fantastical elements with poignant, universal truths. "The Happy Prince" and "The Selfish Giant," for example, are not merely tales for children but profound reflections on compassion, sacrifice, and redemption that resonate with adults. Stephen Fry’s narration adds a layer of warmth and insight to these narratives, making the morals and messages of Wilde’s work all the more impactful. His presentation ensures that the irony and wit of Wilde’s prose are as compelling to today’s listeners as they were to readers in Wilde’s own time, highlighting the enduring power of well-told stories to inspire and entertain.
In essence, Stephen Fry Presents: Oscar Wilde's Stories For All Ages is more than just an audiobook; it's an invitation to explore the depth and richness of Oscar Wilde's vision through the lens of Stephen Fry’s spirited narration. The blend of Fry's empathetic voice with Wilde's storytelling prowess creates an enchanting listening experience that leaves a lasting impression. As the final story fades, the listener is left longing for more, a testament to the collection's ability to engage and captivate. This audiobook stands as a vibrant celebration of storytelling, showcasing how tales crafted in the past can continue to enlighten, amuse, and inspire, transcending age and time.
June 10, 2020
Obviously Stephen Fry is the perfect narrator for these delightful, surprising stories. They have traditional European fairytale vibes, both in setting and prose style, with thought-provoking morals about friendship and greed. Would have given it 5 stars if it weren't for the casual racism in the story The Young King - at one point the king dreams that presumably white men are enslaved by "negroes", and I think that is supposed to add indignity to their enslavement.
January 25, 2024
Fry is the perfect person to narrate Wilde. I was expecting the somewhat antiquated language, considering when these stories were written, but I wasn’t expecting so much death, sadness and melancholy. There was quite a bit of social commentary, which I appreciated, and biting satire, for which Wilde is known for. But no wit - the other thing his writing is famous for.
November 6, 2017
Oscar Wilde performed by Stephen Fry was an absolute delight.
March 17, 2021
Enjoyed the intros and enjoyed the 2 stories I hadn't heard before. The Canterville Ghost was my favorite!
April 30, 2021
4 stars for Oscar Wilde. 5 stars for Stephen Fry’s performance.
January 23, 2022
I could listen to him all day and all night with no breaks.
Magnificent recording and excellent stories. Perfect combo!!
Magnificent recording and excellent stories. Perfect combo!!
September 14, 2022
Well written satire, but the bad characters rarely receive karma so very frustrating
December 31, 2022
Oscar Wilde and Stephen Fry is the most delightful combination.
February 10, 2023
Another book that reaffirms why I adore Oscar Wilde.
October 19, 2023
Quite honestly not as good as I expected, but fun nonetheless. Enjoyed the satirical aspect.
January 9, 2023
Kolekcija kratkih priča u najboljem duhu klasičnih bajki, ponekad oštre i bockave, ponekad tople i zaogrnjujuće ka kaban u burnoj noći, sve do jedna besprijekorno pročitane.
September 11, 2019
Every story is wonderful. A propos for teenagers! OK for smaller children.
September 6, 2019
Surprisingly plain set of folk stories, almost Disney in character given every bird, statue and firecracker is personified.
July 25, 2016
Oscar Wilde's stories for all ages' is een ideale verhalenbundel om Oscar Wilde te leren kennen. Het is een bundel van klassieke korte sprookjes en fantasievolle verhalen, gekozen en ingeleid door Stephen Fry.
De notities van Fry aan het begin van elk verhaal maken het ook interessant om verder te lezen omdat je dan meer op bepaalde dingen gaat letten. Ook het enthousiasme van Fry, een notoire Oscar Wilde - fan is enorm aanstekelijk. The Selfish Giant, The Nightingale and The Rose en The Devoted Friend en nog heel wat andere zijn prachtige verhalen voor zowel jong als oud waar je verschillende lagen in kunt ontdekken. Het mooiste verhaal vind ik misschien wel The Canterville Ghost, dat nog het langste is. De meesten zijn wel vrij moralistisch zodat kinderen er lessen uit kunnen halen, wel wat typisch voor de periode waarin Wilde leefde. In heel wat verhalen krijgen dieren en zelfs planten menselijke trekken, en zelfs het in Groot-Brittannië in die tijd verbreide oriëntalisme steekt hier en daar de kop op.
De verhalen hebben ook wel wat weg van de sprookjes van de broeders Grimm, maar toch nog met een bepaalde twist eraan. Ze zijn nl vrij tragisch en hebben een melancholische en verdrietige klank. Vandaar dat sommigen het waarschijnlijk voor kinderen ook niet zo geschikt vinden. Ik heb dit boek in het Engels gelezen, en hoe Wilde schrijft, is moeilijk in woorden te vatten maar oh zo mooi. De 19de eeuwse woordenschat en zinswendingen herken ik uit Jane Austen's en Charlotte Brontë's boeken. Als 'plot' zijn we misschien tegenwoordig wat meer gewend, maar deze 19de eeuwse taal- en stijlvirtuoos hoeft het daar niet van te hebben. Echt niet. Bovendien kan je in dit boek ook nog eens genieten van de prachtige tekeningen van Nicole Stewart.
De notities van Fry aan het begin van elk verhaal maken het ook interessant om verder te lezen omdat je dan meer op bepaalde dingen gaat letten. Ook het enthousiasme van Fry, een notoire Oscar Wilde - fan is enorm aanstekelijk. The Selfish Giant, The Nightingale and The Rose en The Devoted Friend en nog heel wat andere zijn prachtige verhalen voor zowel jong als oud waar je verschillende lagen in kunt ontdekken. Het mooiste verhaal vind ik misschien wel The Canterville Ghost, dat nog het langste is. De meesten zijn wel vrij moralistisch zodat kinderen er lessen uit kunnen halen, wel wat typisch voor de periode waarin Wilde leefde. In heel wat verhalen krijgen dieren en zelfs planten menselijke trekken, en zelfs het in Groot-Brittannië in die tijd verbreide oriëntalisme steekt hier en daar de kop op.
De verhalen hebben ook wel wat weg van de sprookjes van de broeders Grimm, maar toch nog met een bepaalde twist eraan. Ze zijn nl vrij tragisch en hebben een melancholische en verdrietige klank. Vandaar dat sommigen het waarschijnlijk voor kinderen ook niet zo geschikt vinden. Ik heb dit boek in het Engels gelezen, en hoe Wilde schrijft, is moeilijk in woorden te vatten maar oh zo mooi. De 19de eeuwse woordenschat en zinswendingen herken ik uit Jane Austen's en Charlotte Brontë's boeken. Als 'plot' zijn we misschien tegenwoordig wat meer gewend, maar deze 19de eeuwse taal- en stijlvirtuoos hoeft het daar niet van te hebben. Echt niet. Bovendien kan je in dit boek ook nog eens genieten van de prachtige tekeningen van Nicole Stewart.
February 5, 2017
Following up after reading Last Chance to See, I enjoyed the Last Chance to See (TV series)and was entertained by easy-going and avuncular actor Stephen Fry. So, naturally I turned to this audiobook narrated by Fry to have more of that, as well as learn about these, Oscar Wilde’s Fairy Tales of talking non-humans (mostly, but not exclusively, animals) from the 1880s. I didn't know there were any! There are witty, imaginative, and entertaining morality tales.
Stories read are:
THE YOUNG KING (Duration 33:59)
THE SELFISH GIANT (Duration 10:56)
THE REMARKABLE ROCKET (Duration 27:49)
THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE ROSE (Duration 15:30)
THE HAPPY PRINCE (Duration 20:56)
THE DEVOTED FRIEND (Duration 24:34)
This makes it The Happy Prince and Other Tales + 1, as that work contains the five stories: "The Happy Prince", "The Nightingale and the Rose", "The Selfish Giant", "The Devoted Friend", and "The Remarkable Rocket".
For my money, "The Nightingale and the Rose" is a vivid fantasy of exquisite sadness right up there w/The Butcher's Boy (folk song).
Stories read are:
THE YOUNG KING (Duration 33:59)
THE SELFISH GIANT (Duration 10:56)
THE REMARKABLE ROCKET (Duration 27:49)
THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE ROSE (Duration 15:30)
THE HAPPY PRINCE (Duration 20:56)
THE DEVOTED FRIEND (Duration 24:34)
This makes it The Happy Prince and Other Tales + 1, as that work contains the five stories: "The Happy Prince", "The Nightingale and the Rose", "The Selfish Giant", "The Devoted Friend", and "The Remarkable Rocket".
For my money, "The Nightingale and the Rose" is a vivid fantasy of exquisite sadness right up there w/The Butcher's Boy (folk song).
August 16, 2014
The rating for this book is a bit odd.
While I love "The Canterville Ghost" (that was my first encounter with Wilde ever), I'm not all that convinced by some of the other stories. This makes it three stars for the stories.
The paintings however were really beautiful and well-fitting, and illustrator Nicole Stewart seems to exhibit every ounce of glee in her paintings that Oscar had in his writing. This lead me to up the rating to 4 stars.
I was close to deducting the excess star again, though - for the UTTER IDIOCY of putting Stephen's notes not as comments after the story, but as an introduction at the beginning. There are people who haven't read it yet and don't want to know what will happen!!!
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
While I love "The Canterville Ghost" (that was my first encounter with Wilde ever), I'm not all that convinced by some of the other stories. This makes it three stars for the stories.
The paintings however were really beautiful and well-fitting, and illustrator Nicole Stewart seems to exhibit every ounce of glee in her paintings that Oscar had in his writing. This lead me to up the rating to 4 stars.
I was close to deducting the excess star again, though - for the UTTER IDIOCY of putting Stephen's notes not as comments after the story, but as an introduction at the beginning. There are people who haven't read it yet and don't want to know what will happen!!!
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
June 12, 2017
These are very dark and sharp versions of children's stories.
They really aren't for children but rather written as social comment on the relations between the rich and the poor.
The language is both incrediably elegant and childish at the same time - which is really impressive. Also, the writing is rich with descriptions and similies.
The weaker parts are that the morals are pretty obvious and all elements of suspense or "reason to turn the page" are sort of missing, but maybe that's why they're short...
P.S
Included here is the story 'The Selfish Giant', which has been a favorite of mine since early childhood. Until I came across this collection, however, I had absolutely no idea it was written by Wilde.
They really aren't for children but rather written as social comment on the relations between the rich and the poor.
The language is both incrediably elegant and childish at the same time - which is really impressive. Also, the writing is rich with descriptions and similies.
The weaker parts are that the morals are pretty obvious and all elements of suspense or "reason to turn the page" are sort of missing, but maybe that's why they're short...
P.S
Included here is the story 'The Selfish Giant', which has been a favorite of mine since early childhood. Until I came across this collection, however, I had absolutely no idea it was written by Wilde.
May 29, 2011
I absolutely adored this book. Reading Stephen's comments before each story made them, if possible, even more perfect. I was torn between devouring the stories in one lot, and reading one each day becaues of the immense emotional pull each one has. (As it was, I ended up reading one story a day for a few days and then just sitting down and reading the rest all in one happy, tearful lot).
The stories will haunt you. In a good way.
The stories will haunt you. In a good way.
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