Oscar Wilde: A summing-up

by Alfred Bruce Douglas

In his introduction to this book, Derek Hudson says: 'At the time that he met Wilde, Douglas was far from being a paragon of morals. His tendency indeed seems to have been predominantly homosexual. There is no truth in the suggestion that Douglas corrupted Wilde, for the latter had been addicted to homosexual practices for at least five years before they met.'
Written in the closing years of Alfred Douglas's life, this book is a last word about Oscar Wilde by the man who, perhaps, knew him better than anybody.

Genres: Biography

128 pages, Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 1962

About the author

Lord Alfred Bruce Douglas was an British author, poet and translator, better known as the intimate friend and lover of the writer Oscar Wilde. Much of his early poetry was Uranian in theme, though he tended, later in life, to distance himself from both Wilde's influence and his own role as a Uranian poet.

Reviews

[Roger · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's little doubt that the line of the Marquesses of Queensberry was a troubled one - suicides, depression, violence and alcohol running through the family during the Nineteenth Century. Most famously Alfred Douglas' father, John, 9th Marquess of Queensberry, was a violent abusive man, who took Oscar Wilde to court which led to Wilde's imprisonment for homosexuality and following destitution, all in an attempt to belittle his own ex-wife and son, Alfred.

The book under review was written by Alfred a few years before he died, and is an interesting snippet of Wildeiana. Alfred in many ways was like his father: passionate, disagreeable and wilful. Oscar Wilde: a summing up is Douglas scoring some final points against his enemies, and re-assessing and justifying his own actions, while also muddying the waters as to his own culpability when it comes to Wilde's downfall.

While Douglas famously repudiated Wilde after the latter's death, in this book he softens his attack on him. Having converted to the Roman Catholic faith, he naturally deprecates Wilde's sexuality, while at the same time excoriating his imprisonment for it. As Douglas reckons it, while homosexuality is a sin, it is not a crime and to treat it as such is wrong. He also claims that he himself never engaged in a homosexual relationship with Wilde, and had no idea of Wilde's "perversion" until it came out in the trials, which is very hard to believe.

Douglas gives a quick overview of Wilde's life, correcting some misinterpretations and falsehoods that had crept into the publications extant at that time, and provides some critical insight into Wilde's work. His criticisms on the whole accurately sum up the worth of Wilde's output but adds nothing new.

This is a quirky book, it reads like an old man talking over an afternoon cigar - wanting to make a point but constantly being side-tracked into explaining other things that crop up in the conversation, crusty and set in his views, and unrepentant over his role in the affair.

What Douglas does convey is the beauty of Wilde's wit and conversation, a facility that won over many of his enemies and was his ticket to fame. He was loved by no-one more than Douglas, and this book shows us that, as well as being an insight into Douglas himself.

The blurb on the back of this paperback edition states that "this book is a last word about Oscar Wilde.." and while that may be when it comes to Douglas, it is certainly not the last word on what was an amazing life and titillating scandal.

One for complete-ists only.

Check out my other reviews at http://aviewoverthebell.blogspot.com.au/

[Laura Lee]

Bernard Shaw was right about this book. He suggested to Lord Alfred Douglas, when the two writers were corresponding, that he stick to the subject at hand-- Oscar Wilde-- and not pontificate on his (Douglas's)theories on homosexuality and morality. Douglas, predictably, got defensive and did not take the advice. (He only gives writing advice, he does not take it.)

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I never for a moment ceased to love him and while he was in prison my whole life can be described as a continual longing to see him again."

Probably the most honest biography of Wilde, even if he was lying. That feels quite contradictory to suggest, but Douglas appears to have mastered the art of crafting a story that is raw and impactful, even if it is slightly fabricated.

I think it's important to note that while Douglas wrote earlier biographies on Wilde, he refutes his own testimonials in this piece. In his early works during the first few years after Wilde died, his attitude towards Wilde was brimming with hostility, which can be seen in these initial works. It took him much of his life to turn his mindset around, but he did so in time to write one last piece. He tells more of the truth than ever and openly admits his love for Wilde, which he hadn't before.

And no, Alfred Douglas was not a great person, and while he apologizes for a lot, there's still more left unsaid. But he was undoubtedly an iconic figure and an even better author. He's contradictory in his words and switches the narrative throughout, but he really did understand the importance of his final work as the foundation for the truth to prevail.

[Ana Ramadhanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it's important to look into their story from many perspectives. In the media, they describe Bosie as a despicable man, an evil smirk, and others but I found out that the media didn't go through the story deep enough research and with no different perspectives.
There are so many What-Ifs in their story and many things are still mysterious and unsaid, only Bosie, Wilde, and God know the real truth behind everything.
But one thing I truly believe besides everything is that they are both in love with each other despite everything they went through.
To me, yes, Bosie it's not a great person but at least he matured and make peace with himself even though it takes years after his bitter years from 1912 to 1924.
I don't know if this biography is 100% true or not but Bosie knew that this work it's important to unveil the truth.

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting insight to Douglas' viewpoint of the Oscar Wilde Trial. Definitely recommend to anyone with any level of interest in the Wilde-Douglas relationship.

[Meihan Liu]

The value of this book lies mainly in the title: A summing-up of Oscar Wilde by Lord Alfred Bruce Douglas. "Boise".