An entirely new kind of biography, Built of Books explores the mind and personality of Oscar Wilde through his taste in books
This intimate account of Oscar Wilde’s life and writings is richer, livelier, and more personal than any book available about the brilliant writer, revealing a man who built himself out of books. His library was his reality, the source of so much that was vital to his life. A reader first, his readerly encounters, out of all of life’s pursuits, are seen to be as significant as his most important relationships with friends, family, or lovers. Wilde’s library, which Thomas Wright spent twenty years reading, provides the intellectual (and emotional) climate at the core of this deeply engaging portrait.
One of the book’s happiest surprises is the story of the author’s adventure reading Wilde’s library. Reminiscent of Jorge Luis Borges’s fictional hero who enters Cervantes’s mind by saturating himself in the culture of sixteenth-century Spain, Wright employs Wilde as his own Virgilian guide to world
literature. We come to understand how reading can be an extremely sensual experience, producing a physical as well as a spiritual delight.
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Seller: Bay State Book Company, North Smithfield, RI, U.S.A.
Condition: good. The book is in good condition with all pages and cover intact, including the dust jacket if originally issued. The spine may show light wear. Pages may contain some notes or highlighting, and there might be a "From the library of" label. Boxed set packaging, shrink wrap, or included media like CDs may be missing. Seller Inventory # BSM.19V3Z
Seller: HPB Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_464947430
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0805089934I4N10
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0805089934I3N10
Seller: Books From California, Simi Valley, CA, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Seller Inventory # mon0003632593
Seller: Charles Berry, Bookseller, Lakeport, CA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. First printing (complete number line) hardcover and dust jacket in VG+ condition: unmarked, slight handling. 370 pages. [1.4 lbs]. Book. Seller Inventory # 62292
Seller: Turn-The-Page Books, Skyway, WA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. 1st printing. Tight and unmarked. 370pp. Very nice unclipped jacket now in a new mylar cover. Size: 8vo - 8" - 9" Tall. Seller Inventory # 061058
Seller: The Old Sage Bookshop, Prescott, AZ, U.S.A.
Hard Cover with Dustjacket. Condition: Fine-. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good+. First American Edition, First Printing. Hardcover with dustjacket : fine minus / very good plus. Book: spine tips slightly worn. Jacket : tiny tear and a little wrinkling to head of spine. FAE. Size: 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. Book. Seller Inventory # 131533
Seller: Solr Books, Lincolnwood, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: very_good. This book is in Very good condition. There may be a few flaws like shelf wear and some light wear. Seller Inventory # BCV.0805089934.VG
Seller: A Good Read, LLC, San Antonio, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good +. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good +. First Edition. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Bright, unmarked and unread! Seller Inventory # 029822