Listen free for 30 days
-
Oscar
- A Life
- Narrated by: Jot Davies
- Length: 36 hrs and 8 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $34.15
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's Summary
Bloomsbury presents Oscar by Matthew Sturgis, read by Jot Davies.
The first major biography of Oscar Wilde in thirty years, and the most complete telling of his life and times to date.
NOMINATED FOR THE WOLFSON HISTORY PRIZE 2019
'The Book of the Year, perhaps of the decade' TLS
'Simply the best modern biography of Wilde... A terrific achievement' Evening Standard
'Page-turning... Vivid and desperately moving. However much you think you know Wilde, this book will absorb and entertain you' The Sunday TimesBooks of the Year
Oscar Wilde's life – like his wit – was alive with paradox. He was both an early exponent and a victim of 'celebrity culture': famous for being famous, he was lauded and ridiculed in equal measure. His achievements were frequently downplayed, his successes resented. He had a genius for comedy but strove to write tragedies. He was an unabashed snob who nevertheless delighted in exposing the faults of society. He affected a dandified disdain but was prone to great acts of kindness. Although happily married, he became a passionate lover of men and – at the very peak of his success – brought disaster upon himself. He disparaged authority, yet went to the law to defend his love for Lord Alfred Douglas. Having delighted in fashionable throngs, Wilde died almost alone. Above all, his flamboyant refusal to conform to the social and sexual orthodoxies of his day make him a hero and an inspiration to all who seek to challenge convention. Matthew Sturgis draws on a wealth of new material and fresh research, bringing alive the distinctive mood and characters of the fin de siècle in the richest and most compelling portrait of Wilde to date.
What listeners say about Oscar
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tara Braden
- 2023-08-03
Fantastic and gripping book
The best audiobook I have listened to and beautifully narrated by Jot Davies. By slowing it down to .7 I was able to savor every word and turn of phrase. It was 45 hours and I was never bored. Some parts are hard to listen to, but I really feel that after experiencing this book I knew the man inside out… His brilliance, his genius, his foolishness, his gluttony, his generosity of spirit, his charm and his tragic demise. The author has given us such insights into his days in Oxford, his American tours, and his time living in London, Paris, and Naples. What a remarkable human being. I am now motivated to find out what happened to his children and friends. Thank you Mathew Sturgis for writing this detailed masterpiece on the life of Oscar Wilde.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!