Reviews
Conversations with Wilde: A Fictional Dialogue Based on Biographical Facts by Merlin Holland
battybloomer's review against another edition
5.0
if parasocial relationships are problematic and ineffective, explain why this queer victorian man who has been dead for 122 years is my bestie. exactly.
calebgrahamlibrary's review against another edition
4.0
More or less a biography of Oscar Wilde written in the form of a fictional interview between Wilde and the author.
Not quite what I was expecting, but a nice read all the same!
Not quite what I was expecting, but a nice read all the same!
yatinarora's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
thewoollygeek's review
5.0
I adored this, I love Oscar Wilde and I wish there was much, much more of his work. This was so interesting to read something new and a different perspective which shows even more to the great man.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
wittyandsarcasticbookclub's review
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this book, in exchange for my honest opinion. This book will be available to purchase on June 11th.
I was interested in this book for two reasons: First, I loved The Picture of Dorian Gray. Second, the idea of a fictional conversation with Wilde is fantastically original. The closest to that setup I’ve read is The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, which I really enjoyed, and of course there’s no biographical angle with that.
This book was so much fun! Oscar Wilde was larger than life in many ways, which Holland conveyed with ease. During the course of this book, I realized that I knew far less about his life than I thought. Despite his levity, Oscar Wilde’s life was tragic in many ways.
What set this apart from many other biographies is the sense of fun the entire book had about itself. It really did feel like an interview over cigarettes. I would gladly read more books written in this style by this author.
At less than 200 pages, this books can easily be read in an afternoon, but the facts thrown in, combined with the engaging conversational feel will keep you thinking about it long after you finish the last word. I definitely recommend this fun fact-based fiction.
I was interested in this book for two reasons: First, I loved The Picture of Dorian Gray. Second, the idea of a fictional conversation with Wilde is fantastically original. The closest to that setup I’ve read is The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, which I really enjoyed, and of course there’s no biographical angle with that.
This book was so much fun! Oscar Wilde was larger than life in many ways, which Holland conveyed with ease. During the course of this book, I realized that I knew far less about his life than I thought. Despite his levity, Oscar Wilde’s life was tragic in many ways.
What set this apart from many other biographies is the sense of fun the entire book had about itself. It really did feel like an interview over cigarettes. I would gladly read more books written in this style by this author.
At less than 200 pages, this books can easily be read in an afternoon, but the facts thrown in, combined with the engaging conversational feel will keep you thinking about it long after you finish the last word. I definitely recommend this fun fact-based fiction.
clarowe's review
5.0
Conversations with Oscar Wilde was unlike anything I have ever read. I am by no means an expert of the personal life of Wilde but I am familiar with his works, philosophies, and personal life enough that I can appreciate the care that went into make this work appear authentic. I will admit at first "Wilde's" responses felt forced and almost cheesy but you quickly forgot that you are not actually reading his words and you can easily believe that it was Wilde himself being interviewed in the text.
This was an insightful work, full of detail about Wilde's personal life, and an interesting perspective on his outlook on the events that marked his life. My one criticism of Conversations with Oscar Wilde was that is was not longer and was far too quick a read.
This was an insightful work, full of detail about Wilde's personal life, and an interesting perspective on his outlook on the events that marked his life. My one criticism of Conversations with Oscar Wilde was that is was not longer and was far too quick a read.
amarrymeinbostonacademic's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this little book. There were times when Mr.Wilde made me laugh out loud. I rather liked his style. I have yet to read any of his books before (and now I am surprised to realize this because it seems like I would have read his books before) but this made me want to read his work even more!
wildeism's review against another edition
4.0
conversations with oscar wilde was very cute actually! the author clearly knew what they were talking about and i found it very sweet and entertaining. i do feel as though they tried to shove a bit too much of “iconic oscar wilde quotes” into the book but i still enjoyed it immensely.
celeste57's review against another edition
5.0
You can find this review and more at Novel Notions.
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
I received an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve adored Oscar Wilde for most of my life. My parents used to buy my six Great Illustrated Classics every Christmas, and my favorite of these when I was about eight was The Picture of Dorian Gray. I can’t even count how many times I read that little abridged classic, but I would say that number is in the literal dozens. In fact, I loved it so much that I was afraid of reading the unabridged classic as an adult, for fear that it wouldn’t measure up to the book I had loved so much as a child. I couldn’t have been more wrong, while the illustrated classic of my childhood gave me the story, it didn’t deliver Wilde’s prose. I had no idea what I was missing. Today, Wilde’s original, unabridged novel is one of my very favorite classics I’ve ever read.
In college, I learned the story behind the author, from his flamboyant personality to his time spent in prison. However, while I found him a very interesting individual at that time, I am now completely fascinated by him. That is mostly thanks to this book. Holland has written one of the most engaging biographies I’ve ever read, in large part due to the informal, conversational format. The author imagined himself interviewing Wilde over a cup of coffee, and he managed to beautifully capture Wilde’s well-known voice in these responses. It was a lovely writing decision. I truly felt as though I was sitting in on an interview with a literary icon, and it was immensely enjoyable.
Wilde was the Freddy Mercury of Victorian England, and the world wasn’t ready for him. He was witty and insanely intelligent and obsessed with all things beautiful and pleasurable. He created gorgeous art that far outlived him, but has been forever remembered for his (at the time) shocking lifestyle decisions and the ramifications he suffered for them. Wilde undoubtedly marched to the beat of his own drum, and couldn’t care less that the majority of society didn’t understand that rhythm.
Holland’s little book did an amazing job presenting Wilde’s life, and I read it in an afternoon. My only complaint is that is wasn’t longer. But I think that this conversational style was a perfect choice for crafting an informative, engaging, highly readable biographical overview of a life that captivated and repelled the world in which he lived. I highly recommend this little book to anyone who has any kind of interest in literary rebels. I would love to read more biographical works written along the same lines, and am very open to recommendations!
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
I received an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
“Give a man a mask and he will tell you the truth.”
I’ve adored Oscar Wilde for most of my life. My parents used to buy my six Great Illustrated Classics every Christmas, and my favorite of these when I was about eight was The Picture of Dorian Gray. I can’t even count how many times I read that little abridged classic, but I would say that number is in the literal dozens. In fact, I loved it so much that I was afraid of reading the unabridged classic as an adult, for fear that it wouldn’t measure up to the book I had loved so much as a child. I couldn’t have been more wrong, while the illustrated classic of my childhood gave me the story, it didn’t deliver Wilde’s prose. I had no idea what I was missing. Today, Wilde’s original, unabridged novel is one of my very favorite classics I’ve ever read.
“Love is fed by the imagination, by which we become wiser than we know, better than we feel, nobler than we are. Only what is fine, and finely conceived, can feed Love, but anything can feed Hate…”
In college, I learned the story behind the author, from his flamboyant personality to his time spent in prison. However, while I found him a very interesting individual at that time, I am now completely fascinated by him. That is mostly thanks to this book. Holland has written one of the most engaging biographies I’ve ever read, in large part due to the informal, conversational format. The author imagined himself interviewing Wilde over a cup of coffee, and he managed to beautifully capture Wilde’s well-known voice in these responses. It was a lovely writing decision. I truly felt as though I was sitting in on an interview with a literary icon, and it was immensely enjoyable.
“I realized that there are only two tragedies in this world - one is not getting what one wants and the other is getting it. The second is much worse.”
Wilde was the Freddy Mercury of Victorian England, and the world wasn’t ready for him. He was witty and insanely intelligent and obsessed with all things beautiful and pleasurable. He created gorgeous art that far outlived him, but has been forever remembered for his (at the time) shocking lifestyle decisions and the ramifications he suffered for them. Wilde undoubtedly marched to the beat of his own drum, and couldn’t care less that the majority of society didn’t understand that rhythm.
“To be great is to be misunderstood.”
Holland’s little book did an amazing job presenting Wilde’s life, and I read it in an afternoon. My only complaint is that is wasn’t longer. But I think that this conversational style was a perfect choice for crafting an informative, engaging, highly readable biographical overview of a life that captivated and repelled the world in which he lived. I highly recommend this little book to anyone who has any kind of interest in literary rebels. I would love to read more biographical works written along the same lines, and am very open to recommendations!
“You must never destroy legends; it is through them we are given a glimpse of the real face of a man.”
annarella's review
5.0
I'm a huge fan of Oscar Wilde and was very happy when this ARC was approved.
It was great to read something about him from a new and refreshing perspective and the Q&A part was great.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It was great to read something about him from a new and refreshing perspective and the Q&A part was great.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.