Showing results by author "Oscar Wilde" in All Categories

Murder comes in two familiar forms. Whether as a crime of passion with high emotions or a cold dispassionate plot to take life in order to gain in some way, the act strikes us all as somehow inhuman. Beneath us as civilised beings. But however we cloak our animal instincts the need to remove a human being and gain relief from abuse or gain from money, the term is just the same – MURDER. Robert Louis Stevenson, Arthur Conan Doyle, J M Barrie, W W Jacobs and many others bring their literary heft to bear in as calculating a way as any killer could.

This is a story from the The Happy Prince and Other Stories collection.

Immerse yourself in the world of Oscar Wilde with this compelling collection of letters penned by the legendary playwright during his time in prison. Starting with heartfelt thanks to the friends who remained loyal after his arrest, to his post-release plans, every letter is a revelation. The collection also includes both the censored 1913 edition and the later revealed portions of De Profundis, the extensive missive written to his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas. Sourced from public domain texts, auction catalogues, and biographies, this collection provides a unique insight into Wildes life and ...

Oscar Wilde was sentenced to two years in prison, part of which he spent in Reading Gaol. About five months after Wilde arrived at Reading Gaol, Charles Thomas Wooldridge, a trooper in the Royal Horse Guards, was brought to Reading to await his trial for murdering his common-law wife (and promptly presenting himself and confessing to a policeman) on 29 March 1896; on 17 June, Wooldridge was sentenced to death and returned to Reading for his execution, which took place on Tuesday, 7 July 1896 - the first hanging at Reading in 18 years. The poem is dedicated to him.

The first four stories were first published as a collection in 1891. The final story, "The Portrait of Mr W. H.", originally published separately in 1889, was later added to an expanded collection. All the stories deal with personal relationships and their inevitable influence on the course of a person's life.

"The Ballad of Reading Gaol" was written by Oscar Wilde in France, where he was in exile after his release from Reading Gaol. Wilde had been imprisoned and sentenced to two years hard labor. A hanging took place while Wilde was incarcerated, and the poem is the narrative of the execution.

Par la magie d'un vœu, Dorian Gray conserve la grâce et la beauté de la jeunesse. Seul son portrait vieillira. Le jeune dandy s'adonne alors à toutes les expériences, s'enivre de sensations et recherche les plaisirs secrets et raffinés.

This is a story from the Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and Other Stories collection.

This collection of 40 fairy tales contains well-known favorites from authors like the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, Oscar Wilde, Charles Perrault, Madame de Beaumont, and Joseph Jacobs.

Slavná erotická novela, jejíž autorství se připisuje spisovateli Oscaru Wildovi, je koncipována jako důvěrná zpověď mladé patricijské dámy Beatrice. Inspirována přítelkyní, které se dostalo sexuálního probuzení od zmužilého komorníka, Beatrice neváhá a vydává se objevovat taje tělesných slastí. Zažívá potěšení všeho druhu, od svádění služebných až po orgie a zasvěcování nezkušených do umění lásky. Wildeho autorství je sporné, novela vycházela na pokračování v erotickém časopise The Pearl mezi lety 1879 a 1880, a šířila se mezi nejvybranější společností.

The Happy Prince lived in the Palace of Sans Souci, where sorrow was not allowed to enter, and only pleasure was experienced. Then, a gilded statue set on top of a high column allowed him to see all the wretchedness of the poor, the sick, and the lonely who inhabited his great city. What develops is a story of sacrifice and redemption that is a parable for our time. This audiobook includes nine of Oscar Wilde's magical and haunting fairytales. Written for his own sons, Wilde's tales will provide equal delight for children of today.

High above the city, on a tall column, stands the statue of the Happy Prince. He is gilded all over with thin leaves of fine gold, for eyes he has two bright sapphires, and a large red ruby glows on his sword hilt. He is very much admired by the town officials, yet a lot of poor people suffer here.

Oscar Wilde's enduring masterpiece, this fable of innocence and corruption, purity and decay has become a true classic. The beautiful, narcissistic Dorian Gray, torn between the influence of cynical hedonist Lord Henry Wotton and tortured artist Basil Hallward, sells the beauty of his soul in exchange for external perfection. Ultimately, he cannot escape the disfigurement of sin. Wilde's remarkable wit and memorable, epigrammatic lines dazzle in audiobook form!

A tender love story, a serpentine villainess, a glittering setting in London society, and a showering of Wildean witticism are only a few of the reasons why this play has enjoyed hugely successful revivals in London, in New York, and on the silver screen. This 1895 drama is eerily prescient, as it examines the plight of a promising politician, desperate to hide a secret in his past. With empathy and wit, Oscar Wilde explores the pitfalls of holding public figures to higher standards than the rest of us.

In the pursuit of our desires, we often uncover the deepest curses. This tale follows a fisherman who, upon accidentally ensnaring a mermaid in his net, finds himself enchanted by her beauty and vows to marry her. However, she reveals that the only way to attain her love is to part with his soul. Guided by a witch, the fisherman learns how to sever this bond, but his soul, now free, seeks to reclaim its place through cunning persuasion. As it spins tales of a mesmerizing dancer nearby, the fisherman is drawn back to a dark reality—his soulless essence has turned malevolent. Beware of what ...

A House of Pomegranates (1891) is the enchanting second collection of Fairy Tales by Oscar Wilde. Within its pages, youll discover four captivating tales 1. The Young King, which explores the theme of embracing responsibility. 2. The Birthday of the Infanta, a poignant commentary on the coldness of the upper classes. 3. The Fisherman and his Soul, a tale celebrating the triumph of love amidst adversity. And 4. The Star-Child, which delves into the importance of doing what is right, regardless of the cost. - Summary by Noel Badrian

The Fisherman and his Soul is a captivating fairy tale, first published in November 1891 as part of Wilde’s “A House of Pomegranates.” This enchanting story follows a fisherman who, upon capturing a mermaid, finds himself irresistibly drawn to her. However, to be united with his beloved, he must relinquish his soul, which embarks on its own thrilling adventures. Will their forbidden love withstand the trials that lie ahead? Additionally, this reader has beautifully narrated the other three tales from “A House of Pomegranates,” available in the LibriVox Short Story Collections, ...

Dive into the enchanting world of A House of Pomegranates, a captivating collection of fairy tales by Oscar Wilde. This exquisite anthology, published as a sequel to The Happy Prince and Other Tales in 1888, was crafted with a unique vision—Wilde himself noted that it was intended neither for the British child nor the British public. Within its pages, you will discover the mesmerizing tales of The Young King, The Birthday of the Infanta, The Fisherman and his Soul, and The Star-Child, each story woven with Wildes signature blend of whimsy and profound insight. (Summary by Wikipedia)

The American Otis family moves into the old English country house Canterville Chase. They are warned that the house is haunted before they move in but are unconcerned at first. They soon accept that the ghost is real but are not frightened by it. The ghost, who had been frightening all those who stayed at Canterville Chase for 300 years, takes the Americans' unwillingness to be scared by him as a great insult. He grows to despise them all, except for the teenage daughter, Virginia, who he feels is different from the rest of her family.

In a late 19th century London studio, aspiring artist Basil Hallward puts the finishing touches on a portrait of his handsome young friend Dorian Gray. Dorian looks at the painting and wishes that the portrait might grow old while he remains forever young.