Items related to The Secret Life Of Oscar Wilde
Sensational new biography of Wilde based on the author's discovery of some unpublished and little known source material, relating particularly to his sex life. Neil McKenna argues that our view of Oscar Wilde, even after Ellman's magisterial volume, is determined by Victorian sentimentality. In his own much more modern version of Wilde's story, he is not only extremely promiscuous but also a sort of campaigner for sexual freedom. He reveals, for example, that Wilde's relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas was not an idealistic doting on a beautiful boy, but that Bosie was the more dominant, experienced of the two, who used to go out hunting together for young boys. Wilde's last days in Paris were not, McKenna shows, miserable and defeated; Paris was for him an idyllic, sensual and intellectual playground free from the narrowness of London.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
"McKenna’s book offers an entertaining and fascinating (sometimes jaw-dropping) insight into Victorian homosexual practices. He is outstanding...." -- Observer
"Neil McKenna's book is the most important one to have been written about Wilde for many years." -- Irish Independent
"Where this biography really excels is in recreating the fevered atmosphere of the late Victorian homosexual underground" -- Mail on Sunday
"... a bustling, revealing and downright moving portrayal of thwarted genius." -- Arena
"... a masterful correlation of the personal and political dimensions of our greatest queer martyr." -- Peter Tatchell, Observer 'Books of the Year'
'...a brilliant reconstruction of Oscar Wilde's dynamic sex life, brilliantly written and meticulously researched...' -- Bent Magazine, October 2003
'A fully convincing biography of this most intensely symbolic of Victorian lives.' -- Gay Times
'McKenna paints a...vivid portrait of a troubled genius who chose to martyr himself for the cause of love between men.' -- AXM Magazine, November 2003
'The Secret Life of Oscar Wilde...is a bustling, revealing and downright moving portrayal of thwarted genius.' -- Attitude Magazine, November 2003
... a bustling, revealing and downright moving portrayal of thwarted genius. -- Attitude
From the Publisher:
"Neil McKenna's book is the most important one to have been written about Wilde for many years." -- Irish Independent
"Where this biography really excels is in recreating the fevered atmosphere of the late Victorian homosexual underground" -- Mail on Sunday
"... a bustling, revealing and downright moving portrayal of thwarted genius." -- Arena
"... a masterful correlation of the personal and political dimensions of our greatest queer martyr." -- Peter Tatchell, Observer 'Books of the Year'
'...a brilliant reconstruction of Oscar Wilde's dynamic sex life, brilliantly written and meticulously researched...' -- Bent Magazine, October 2003
'A fully convincing biography of this most intensely symbolic of Victorian lives.' -- Gay Times
'McKenna paints a...vivid portrait of a troubled genius who chose to martyr himself for the cause of love between men.' -- AXM Magazine, November 2003
'The Secret Life of Oscar Wilde...is a bustling, revealing and downright moving portrayal of thwarted genius.' -- Attitude Magazine, November 2003
... a bustling, revealing and downright moving portrayal of thwarted genius. -- Attitude
Sensational new biography of Wilde based on the author's discovery of some unpublished and little known source material, relating particularly to his sex life.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherCentury
- Publication date2003
- ISBN 10 0712669868
- ISBN 13 9780712669863
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages535
- Rating
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The secret life of Oscar Wilde: an intimate biography / Neil McKenna
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The secret life of Oscar Wilde: an intimate biography / Neil McKenna
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ISBN 10: 0712669868
ISBN 13: 9780712669863
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1st Edition. Fine cloth copy in a near-fine, very slightly edge-dulled dust wrapper, now mylar-sleeved. Remains particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong. Physical description: xiv, 535 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates: illustrations (black and white), portraits, facsimiles; 23.2 cm. Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index. Subjects: Wilde, Oscar 1854-1900. Wilde, Oscar 1854-1900 Sexual behaviour. Wilde, Oscar 1854-1900 Relations with men. Authors, Irish 19th century; Biography. Authors, English 19th century; Biography. Sex customs England London History 19th century. Gay men Great Britain; Biography. London (England) Social life and customs 19th century. Genre: Biography. Illustrated. 1 Kg. Seller Inventory # 333987