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lili_03's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ohclaire's review against another edition
4.0
Wilde's dialogue is so wonderful, and the last line of the play really got me!
fictional_arsonist's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
⭐ 9.8
celka's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
trib's review against another edition
3.0
Despite being an English Lit major at university, I recall reading little or no Wilde. As a part of my Cannonball Read (http://cannonballread4.wordpress.com/) this year, I decided to tackle this one (it was also recommended to me as one of the dozen books an enlightened man ought read - I forget where I found this list).
Some of the ideas Wilde proposes in his story must have been more than a little challenging back in the day - a woman refusing to marry and bringing up a child (let alone her subsequently being accepted in "polite" society), the notion of a man refusing to accept responsibility for a child (though I'm certain there were many bastards born to minor gentry), the idea that women need and should marry, the terrible and undoubtedly hurtful gossip around the secret lives of the "upper class".
Reading through, I began by being frustrated, with my 21st Century sensibilities railing against the outdated world view represented in the play's characters. It was only when I caught myself and read on with a more neutral mindset that I began to enjoy it.
Once that shift was made, I was able to enjoy Wilde's shining of light upon the hypocrisy of these people. It's possible that every character has few redeeming qualities. Even our heroes have great failings.
It's definitely worth the read, reflecting on how much Wilde must have intentionally have been seeking to upset many readers. Speculating, it's possibly more than a little payback against the discrimination Wilde himself faced.
Some of the ideas Wilde proposes in his story must have been more than a little challenging back in the day - a woman refusing to marry and bringing up a child (let alone her subsequently being accepted in "polite" society), the notion of a man refusing to accept responsibility for a child (though I'm certain there were many bastards born to minor gentry), the idea that women need and should marry, the terrible and undoubtedly hurtful gossip around the secret lives of the "upper class".
Reading through, I began by being frustrated, with my 21st Century sensibilities railing against the outdated world view represented in the play's characters. It was only when I caught myself and read on with a more neutral mindset that I began to enjoy it.
Once that shift was made, I was able to enjoy Wilde's shining of light upon the hypocrisy of these people. It's possible that every character has few redeeming qualities. Even our heroes have great failings.
It's definitely worth the read, reflecting on how much Wilde must have intentionally have been seeking to upset many readers. Speculating, it's possibly more than a little payback against the discrimination Wilde himself faced.
morganq's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
qursum's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
thothgodofknowledge's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75