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abbytree's review against another edition
4.0
With quotes like “It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious” I’m convinced that Oscar Wilde would have loved reality tv.
Reading all these little Oscar Wilde works has been so fun. His writing is so witty and ironic and truly funny but somehow simultaneously critical and insightful.
Reading all these little Oscar Wilde works has been so fun. His writing is so witty and ironic and truly funny but somehow simultaneously critical and insightful.
niamhbraithwaite2's review against another edition
3.0
i don’t usually read plays but i genuinely enjoyed this& it was entertaining to read. the quotes? loved.
“we are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
“we are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
zachlittrell's review against another edition
3.0
I've been chasing for three years after the high I got reading The Importance of Being Earnest -- a comedy so sincere in its anarchy that any attempt to copy Wilde's masterpiece comes off flaccid. However, Lady Winderemere's Fan ain't it either, and you'll enjoy it more when you accept that.
For all the nice wordplay, Lady Winderemere's life is almost a thriller: who is this Mrs. Erlynne? From just whispers, she invokes images of a sensual Machiavelli, orchestrating affairs with married men right in front of their wives. And the charm of it: that's pretty close. As Mrs. Erlynne purrs triumphantly:
She is a poster child for sexual liberation, while Windermere's got a shuttered palace -- and can't even contemplate an affair without writing a note as though she was killing herself.
That sounds like a lot of fun when written out like that, but it's dampened by interludes of one-liners and commentary going nowhere. It deserves to be seen on stage, where actors can breath buoyant life into dumb romantic Darlington, Mrs. Erlynne the libertine, and gentle stick in the mud Lady Windermere.
For all the nice wordplay, Lady Winderemere's life is almost a thriller: who is this Mrs. Erlynne? From just whispers, she invokes images of a sensual Machiavelli, orchestrating affairs with married men right in front of their wives. And the charm of it: that's pretty close. As Mrs. Erlynne purrs triumphantly:
I thought I had no heart. I find I have, and a heart doesn’t suit me, Windermere. Somehow it doesn’t go with modern dress. It makes one look old.
She is a poster child for sexual liberation, while Windermere's got a shuttered palace -- and can't even contemplate an affair without writing a note as though she was killing herself.
That sounds like a lot of fun when written out like that, but it's dampened by interludes of one-liners and commentary going nowhere. It deserves to be seen on stage, where actors can breath buoyant life into dumb romantic Darlington, Mrs. Erlynne the libertine, and gentle stick in the mud Lady Windermere.
urwa's review against another edition
4.0
perfect perfect quotes:
life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about it.
in this world there are only two tragedies. one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.
i can resist anything but temptation.
experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.
don’t be led astray into the paths of virtue!
darkchiibsb's review against another edition
4.0
Con Wilde me pasa lo mismo que Jane Austen sus libros pueden ser del año de la pera,but se leen rápido,no son densos ni se sienten arcaicos xD
vigilantesupreme's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
zengoalie's review against another edition
4.0
Witty, funny, entertaining, what more can I say? Listened to the radio play as well and made it even more fun.
crazygoangirl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
I never imagined Plays would bring me such joy this year! This is my third Oscar Wilde play and although I found it a tad more serious than the other two - The Importance of Being Earnest and An Ideal Husband, it didn’t lack in Wilde’s signature satirical wit and incisive social commentary. This one explores a parent - child relationship as well as the bond between husband and wife, Lord and Lady Windermere, who must navigate the challenges presented to their marriage by suspicions of infidelity. It examines themes of trust, honour, sacrifice and love through a tightly plotted narrative and well crafted characters - a Wilde specialty - as I’ve discovered!
I enjoy his prodigious skill with language and dialogue - so witty, laden with the perfect amounts of sarcasm and irony. His one-liners are delightful and this one has the famous quote,
I enjoy his prodigious skill with language and dialogue - so witty, laden with the perfect amounts of sarcasm and irony. His one-liners are delightful and this one has the famous quote,
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.
I love how Wilde is merciful to his characters. He walks them on tortuous paths and brings them to the precipice, only to save them before they fall. Some are weak or should I say ‘good’ and others ‘bad’ but worthy of redemption. In the end, they’re all recognisable for the deeply flawed humans they are. I listened to the play while following along on e-book, the way I’ve done with the two previous ones I’ve read. I find this the perfect reading experience. I enjoyed the cast in the audiobook. For once they were perfectly cast with no annoying voices!
So far, I’ve enjoyed all three of Wilde’s plays. They are extremely entertaining, his humour matches mine, always lightens my mood and makes me laugh out loud. I’m off now to find a movie adaptation I like. That’s another advantage with Wilde, one is spoilt for choice, there are so many!
roisinod's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
storysweeper's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25