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cris's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
spaceisavacuum's review against another edition
Two marvelous plays from the undying Oscar Wilde. I have a soft spot for plays, and though I have not read many, the outlook for the year is leaning toward a few more of them. An Ideal Husband, and a Woman of No Importance. A couple of comedic skits that entwine various persons in gossip and rumor. People had been waywardly cast into one another’s beneficence (and maleficence) to no devising of their own.
The first play, concerns Lord Arthur Chiltern and his politics. His marriage to his wife, and loyalty to her put him at odds against blackmail which Mrs. Cheveley has abetted. She would ask of him to arrange and endorse a scheme to establish a trade route with the Argentine Canal, in lieu of the Suez Canal which pioneered trading with India. This blackmail would humiliate the Lord publicly, and with his wife- who implores him, demands him not to be persuaded. Asks of their secretary, Lord Goring, to intercept a few untoward missives that are in Mrs. Cheveley’s possession. Mrs. Cheveley and Mrs. Chiltern have a lasting feud from their school days that, seems to have made one and another despise one another. Gertrude believes of her husband an ideal husband, someone who has “brought into the political life of our time a nobler atmosphere, a finer attitude towards life,” Sir Robert Chiltern, meanwhile, decides love, more than anything concerned- is far more important than blackmail.
A woman of no importance is about a wager, about whether kissing a woman full on the lips, having not her permission, would repulse her or otherwise. What would happen to a good American girl, who is, hysterically vowed to Lord Illingworth’s ill-begotten son.
“Nothing should be out of the reach of hope. Life is a hope.”
The first play, concerns Lord Arthur Chiltern and his politics. His marriage to his wife, and loyalty to her put him at odds against blackmail which Mrs. Cheveley has abetted. She would ask of him to arrange and endorse a scheme to establish a trade route with the Argentine Canal, in lieu of the Suez Canal which pioneered trading with India. This blackmail would humiliate the Lord publicly, and with his wife- who implores him, demands him not to be persuaded. Asks of their secretary, Lord Goring, to intercept a few untoward missives that are in Mrs. Cheveley’s possession. Mrs. Cheveley and Mrs. Chiltern have a lasting feud from their school days that, seems to have made one and another despise one another. Gertrude believes of her husband an ideal husband, someone who has “brought into the political life of our time a nobler atmosphere, a finer attitude towards life,” Sir Robert Chiltern, meanwhile, decides love, more than anything concerned- is far more important than blackmail.
A woman of no importance is about a wager, about whether kissing a woman full on the lips, having not her permission, would repulse her or otherwise. What would happen to a good American girl, who is, hysterically vowed to Lord Illingworth’s ill-begotten son.
“Nothing should be out of the reach of hope. Life is a hope.”
josiahrichardson's review against another edition
4.0
An ideal husband is not necessarily the perfect husband. Simply being a husband makes one an ideal husband. Now, don't misunderstand me when I say that all husbands are ideal husbands. Certainly the man who abandons, abuses, or is unfaithful to his wife is not a good husband. But he is a husband none-the-less.
A bachelor is not an ideal husband. A woman is not an ideal husband. An animal is not an ideal husband. But married men are ideal husbands. Men were made to be husbands to women. It is the nature of a man to be a husband, just as it is the nature of woman to be a wife. It is what God calls men to be. When they forsake their calling to be a husband in order to remain a bachelor, or to pursue a career, or to avoid responsibility -- they are running away from their true passion, their engrained job and duty, and their most fulfilling mandate.
Wilde, although unbeknownst to him, showcases this thought process throughout this book (through he would cringe if his thoughts were biblically redeeming).
A bachelor is not an ideal husband. A woman is not an ideal husband. An animal is not an ideal husband. But married men are ideal husbands. Men were made to be husbands to women. It is the nature of a man to be a husband, just as it is the nature of woman to be a wife. It is what God calls men to be. When they forsake their calling to be a husband in order to remain a bachelor, or to pursue a career, or to avoid responsibility -- they are running away from their true passion, their engrained job and duty, and their most fulfilling mandate.
Wilde, although unbeknownst to him, showcases this thought process throughout this book (through he would cringe if his thoughts were biblically redeeming).
mimyexplore's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
isadaviess's review against another edition
5.0
i had to read this for school and i knew i would like it but i didn’t think i would love it and i rlly rlly did love it 10/10
quicksilver's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adore Oscar Wilde, and this is a great one. The movie with Rupert Everett is also phenoms. I would recommend to anyone looking for a political society satire that romps through the complexities of love when one is also a political figure or connected to one.
magmaa's review against another edition
4.5
“It takes great deal of courage to see the world in all its tainted glory, and still to love it.”
another oscar wilde banger
another oscar wilde banger
swingmeout's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed reading this, and would have given it 4 stars if it weren't for the 'woman's purpose in life is to love and support their husband' declarations, which sadly don't sound sarcastic.
thothgodofknowledge's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25