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Oscar Wilde
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The Importance of Being a Wit: The Insults of Oscar Wilde Paperback – March 23, 1997

by Wilde (Author)
3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 3 ratings
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A collection of quotations from Wilde's works, conversations, and letters criticizes America, high society, marriage, vanity, art, and himself
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    160 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Running Press
  4. Publication date
    March 23, 1997
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.75 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0786704241
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0786704248
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Running Press (March 23, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0786704241
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0786704248
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.75 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 3 ratings

About the author

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Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde

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Oscar Fingall O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was born in Dublin in 1854. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin and Magdalen College, Oxford where, a disciple of Pater, he founded an aesthetic cult. In 1884 he married Constance Lloyd, and his two sons were born in 1885 and 1886.

His novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891), and social comedies Lady Windermere's Fan (1892), A Woman of No Importance (1893), An Ideal Husband (1895), and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895), established his reputation. In 1895, following his libel action against the Marquess of Queesberry, Wilde was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for homosexual conduct, as a result of which he wrote The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898), and his confessional letter De Profundis (1905). On his release from prison in 1897 he lived in obscurity in Europe, and died in Paris in 1900.

Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
3.7 out of 5
3 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Michael Dunne
2.0 out of 5 stars A Rather Boring Collection of 'Jokes'
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2005
I must admit that I have never held Oscar Wilde in much esteem as a serious writer. My sister is a fan and she bought this book. I had a browse through and it is what I had expected. This book will appeal to those who imagine themselves as intelligent and sophisticated. Although they may be entertained, they will learn nothing of consequence. Do not be fooled by Wilde's pseudo-philosophical style. There is nothing to be gained from a reading of this book besides mild, and brief, entertainment, or the satisfaction of knowing you can apprieciate the wit of a supposed intellectual, who is in fact nothing of the sort.

I would also like to correct a mistake I noticed in a previous review. Oscar Wilde is not an 'English Gentleman' - He is in fact from Ireland.
5 people found this helpful
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Luciano Lupini
5.0 out of 5 stars A HANDY AND NASTY LITTLE COMPILATION
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2002
This small book is very big in biting power. It is a compilation of witty and revealing bits of Oscar Wilde's genius. If you don't want to sift through all Wilde's works, or the dog ate his books that you had in the basement, or maybe at your age you don't remember the fundamental lessons that you read about style, wit and life by this English gentleman THEN YOU MUST BUY THIS BOOK.
A comprehensive little manual that will enable you to outwit your opponents and reach the epythome of the educated insult (which is very interesting because you will be able to start insulting your boss, without any consequences. Or maybe you will be promoted...)
6 people found this helpful
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umsunle0@cc.umanitoba.ca
4.0 out of 5 stars Never be left without something pretentious to say again..
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2000
Ever wanted to be one of those know-it-alls at parties with those great haughty insults and witty remarks?
Buy this book and never worry again. Definatly a good buy. Fun, Funny, and Educational (?). If you like Oscar Wilde, you'll like this book.
9 people found this helpful
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