Reviews

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

14240

Title

Reviews

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume collects Oscar Wilde's early critical reviews, offering a witty and insightful look at his contemporaries and the literary landscape of the 1880s. Edited by Robert Ross, it captures Wilde's sharp wit, his defense of the aesthetic movement, and his candid assessments of major figures like Swinburne, Pater, and Yeats, presenting a vibrant portrait of a brilliant but often misunderstood artist.

Summary up to 500 words

Compiled by Robert Ross in 1908, this collection of reviews captures Oscar Wilde during the middle period of his career, bridging his aesthetic phase and the production of *Lady Windermere's Fan*. The volume serves as both a critical archive and a biographical document, illustrating how Wilde was perceived by the public and press before his fame fully solidified. Ross notes that while Wilde was a celebrated figure in Paris and London, he was often ignored or disliked by his Oxford contemporaries and established critics like Ruskin and Pater. The reviews reveal a young man who alienated peers through his extravagant dress and methods of courting publicity, yet was appreciated in political and social centers as a brilliant talker. The collection features diverse pieces, including a humorous defense of cookery in 'Dinners and Dishes,' where Wilde argues that while poetry is essential, eating is more popular. He critiques the 'novel of high life' for falling into disrepute while championing the portrayal of manners over moral propaganda. In a serious analysis of W. G. Wills's epic poem 'Melchior,' Wilde praises its psychological depth and tragic narrative, noting the character of Melchior as a fascinating psychological study. Other reviews cover Shakespearean scenery, W. B. Yeats's early poetry, and novels like 'Lady Munster's Dorinda.' Wilde's voice is distinctively ironic and erudite; he offers generous but discerning praise for emerging talents like John Addington Symonds and William Michael Rossetti, while noting the prejudice against him in the public press. The volume highlights Wilde's ability to blend humor with profound observation, providing a unique window into the literary debates of his time and the evolution of his own reputation. Through these essays, Wilde defends the art of cookery against accusations of Philistinism, analyzes the psychological complexity of Wills's tragic hero, and identifies the romantic temper in Yeats's early work. Ultimately, the collection showcases Wilde's critical acumen and his unique position as an observer of the literary world who could simultaneously mock and elevate his contemporaries.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Theater
• Reviews