Oscar Wilde and a Death of No Importance

[Dawn (& Ron)]

Now that I am finished and can read all the spoiler parts of the discussion. I was (view spoiler)[disappointed that Veronica, this strong woman, already handcuffed by society, had to be the villain. And I agree with Jeannette that her Paris outburst was so against type that it was a no brainer, the same with Fraser, due to his reticent behavior. You knew he had some sort of involvement. (hide spoiler)] Also, I thought after the denouement, that it was strange that Conan Doyle went to shake Wilde's hand but decides against it, even balling up that hand into a fist (page 322 in my copy). What do you make of this? Maybe it was him showing his exasperation like Veronica and Constance.

Marialyce, I would love to meet Oscar but not live with him. I don't think I could handle him as a best friend either but as an acquaintance, where I could just take him in smaller more controlled doses, that could be fun. Again it comes down to how much is ego and how much is magnetic personality.

I do recommend the movie Wilde starring Stephen Fry and Jude Law as Alfred Douglas. At least it may hold you over until we find a good, less than 700 page biography of him. For suggestions there are the books by Merlin Holland, Wilde's only grandchild, The Wilde Album: Public and Private Images of Oscar WildeCoffee with Oscar Wilde. Wilde's grandson is still alive and has a Facebook page, can you imagine Wilde's FB page? There is also this book written by his son and updated by his grandson Son of Oscar Wilde. Here is an interesting article on Merlin Holland http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2000/.... I would like something from his wife's, Constance, point of view. This is the only book I could find on her, Constance The Tragic and Scandalous Life of Mrs. Oscar Wilde. Interested to see what the rest of you find.

[[deleted user]]

I got the feeling that Doyle didn't want to touch Wilde, as if he found him, now, to be distasteful acquaintance, either because of Oscar's sexual persuasions, or his dramatic reveal at the end.

(It was Marialyce who picked up the hints about whodunit. I didn't see it coming.)

Wilde's grandson is on Fbook! How interesting.....

[Marialyce]

I certainly would not want to live with him either. I think he thought of himself as bigger than life and in that estimation there can be only one person who would survive.

Being his friend, at least according to this book would be fun. He enjoyed the best of everything it seemed without thinking of cost or even consequence. It is almost as if friends could ride on his coattails and have a stupendous time of it. He seemed to be wound, maybe a fine example of ADHD with some Asbergers thrown in on the side. I imagine he must have been like a drug for some of his friends. He was like being on a roller coaster and some might love the bumps and swirls and turns he took.

I can't help think of maybe Andy Warhol Robert Mapplethorpe, or Truman Capote as sort of more current Wilde types, always looking for thrills in any place they could find it.

[Marialyce]

Here is the grandson's page on FB

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Merlin...

[[deleted user]]

It's too bad that it's just a fan page, and not an active page.

[Dawn (& Ron)]

Did you check out his grandson's interview? I admit I am surprised that they didn't take the name of Wilde back. Constance changed it after the trial to disassociate the boys from the ridicule of the name. Just knowing there is that close of a connection living now, that we could actually meet, is really cool to me.

I think those are good modern examples. If he swings had been more exaggerated especially the down swings I would have almost thought manic depressive. But either way fun and exciting to be around but not to live with.

His grand gestures to friends and lovers is in part what got him into trouble. He challenged his lover's father with libel, on the advice of his lover, lost that case only to be arrested for gross indecency. That is another thing that bothered me with this book, the light treatment regarding these teenaged boys. It just seemed glossed over or almost done with a nod to one of Wilde's endearing half-smirks. I'm interested enough to see how the author handles things in the next book, especially since we are nearing the time when Wilde meets Lord Douglas. How will ladies man Sherard come to terms with his good friend Wilde. I would love to see all this from the inside, so to speak.

Did any of the books I mentioned interest anyone? I hope you get a chance to check out the movie I mentioned.

[Marialyce]

My librarian recommended Oscar Wilde by Ruth Robbins so I requested it. I also picked up just because our book together was such fun Oscar Wilde and the Vampire Murders: A Mystery.

[[deleted user]]

I am reading The Wilde Album: Public and Private Images of Oscar Wilde. It's full of photos.

[MichelleCH]

Marialyce wrote: "I do agree. ... I could just see Robert Downey Jr playing the role of W..." Yes, with wild, floppy hair. Or James Franco.

[Dawn (& Ron)]

I guess that means there is certainly interest in Wilde, the man. Jeannette, it will be interesting to see what you think of his grandson's book and how his writing style is. Are you reading a physical or e-version? I noticed you have it shelved under 'fairy tales retold' and couldn't help but wonder what that means with this book.

Marialyce, I have to go with number 2 in the series Oscar Wilde and the Ring of Death next, I'm a stickler for that. The Robbins book came out late last year and I haven't heard much feedback on it so I hope you share your thoughts.

Both those guys are too good looking to play Oscar, but I think both could pull it off.

[[deleted user]]

Dawn (& Ron) wrote: "I guess that means there is certainly interest in Wilde, the man. Jeannette, it will be interesting to see what you think of his grandson's book and how his writing style is. Are you reading a phys..."

You caught me in another typo, Dawn! I corrected it to "family-stories". It's a small volume, both length and format. It a short biography/photo album.

[Dawn (& Ron)]

That's kind of a funny typo in this case. It being a small biography with photos is why I picked that one, thinking it was more of an introduction to Wilde. I take it you do have a physical copy so you can better enjoy those photos?

I just finished up my review but am too tired to check it over for errors after spending almost 3 hours at the doctors today, geesh. So I will post it tomorrow and you will finally get my rating (ha-ha aren't I being mean) and I can finally read everyone's reviews.

[[deleted user]]

I won't sleep now, wondering about your review....

Well, it wasn't a typo, really, maybe a mis-click. family-stories comes after fairy-tales-retold in my bookshelves; I clicked the wrong one.

I have a library copy. How's your knee?

[Dawn (& Ron)]

You can sleep now, my review is up. LOL

Does any one think the title of this book was meant to mirror the title of Wilde's book A Woman of No Importance>? I can just read so much into that, any one else?

I've done that miss-click thing too and probably have several lurking out there to come back and haunt me one day.

Knees okay, still healing but I'm able to walk normal so no more adding stress to other parts of the body. Thanks for asking.

[[deleted user]]

Two days with no sleep, Dawn! @~@

Glad your knee is getting better. That took a while, didn't it?

[Dawn (& Ron)]

Sorry, about yesterday, had one of those 24 colon cleansing bugs yesterday. I managed to put the laptop on but that was it. I guess I owe you on that sleep loss.

Long while? Oh my, it bled and seeped for 6 weeks, granted the infection in it didn't help, I thought it would never heal over. One of my other doctors, who hasn't seen me for awhile, after looking at my knee was shocked to learn that the accident happened on March 9th, he kept asking to verify the date. He couldn't believe how red and bruised it still was. I still need to get the x-ray, which Chrissie never fails to remind me, although I still don't want to know but know I need to.

[MichelleCH]

Sending good healing thoughts your way.

[[deleted user]]

Get the x-ray, Dawn! You really shouldn't let something minor turn into something major, because you worry that it will.....

[Dawn (& Ron)]

Thank you Michelle!

Jeannette, I sincerely appreciate the good thoughts and concerns and assure you I will not intentionally put off something that may cause me harm. Yes, I need to get the x-ray, but my doctor is monitoring me and I am taking the necessary adjustments and physical therapy in the meantime. Because of years of dealing with other ongoing health problems, I and my doctor feel this left knee isn't an immediate concern or danger, especially since the infection is gone. My right knee is much worse and the right shoulder worse than that and both require surgery, my neck problem is also higher on the list. Yes, it looks like I will need surgery on this knee too so my doctor and surgeons also have to figure out which part needs the surgery most and how this will affect the other areas. There is much that needs to be considered. Hope that makes sense.

[[deleted user]]

I'm sorry if I came across too strong. I know you have more than your share of problems, and I know you'll do what you have to do. I wish I could do something to make it better for you. It also sounds painful. You're a brave woman, and I admire you for staying as positive as you do!

[Dawn (& Ron)]

Thanks Jeannette and I was afraid of coming on too strong in my reply. I understood where it was coming from so I knew how you meant it. You have helped so much with other matters on my plate. Regarding the pain, all I can say is I don't know what it is to be without pain every waking moment, so as a constant companion you either learn to deal with it or let it deal with you, I prefer the former.

[[deleted user]]

:)