Dorian Unbound: Transnational Decadence and the Wilde Archive

Sean O Toole's book, Dorian Unbound, explores the transnational contexts of Oscar Wilde's classic novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, reconsidering its importance in the forging of Wilde's imagination and the wider genealogy of literary Decadence. By focusing on nineteenth-century cultural movements, the book recovers a subterranean network of cultural movements and joins conversations about expanding Victorian studies and tracing the globalization of literature. It offers a detailed history and close reading of the novel, painting a richer picture of Wilde and his allusive prose. The book makes a compelling case for a comparative reading of the novel in a global context, appealing to scholars of nineteenth-century literature, queer and narrative theory, Irish studies, and art history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 04 April 2023
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press

A groundbreaking exploration of the literary history of Decadence through a meticulous examination of the transnational contexts surrounding Oscar Wilde's iconic novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Dorian Unbound, a substantial contribution to the field, argues that the extensive focus on Wilde's influences from Victorian Aestheticism and French Decadence has inadvertently obscured a much broader network of transnational contexts that played a crucial role in shaping his imagination and the broader genealogy of literary Decadence.

Sean O Toole, the author, contends that by redirecting our attention to these overlooked transnational contexts, we gain a fresh perspective on how to interpret The Picture of Dorian Gray, reassess our understanding of Wilde, and comprehend literary Decadence as a persistent and highly mobile cultural mode that predates global modernism.

In constructing a transnational framework for analyzing Dorian Gray, O Toole uncovers a hidden network of nineteenth-century cultural movements. Simultaneously, he engages in lively discussions about expanding the geographical scope of Victorian studies and tracing the globalization of literature over a longer historical period.

Dorian Unbound comprises chapters on various cultural genres, including Irish Gothic, German historical romance, US magic-picture tradition, and experimental English epigrams. These chapters serve as a foundation for understanding Wilde's unique contribution to a more dynamic conception of Decadence, surpassing previous understandings.

The book offers a comprehensive account of the extensive archive of texts that Wilde read and the diverse cultural movements that inspired him in writing Dorian Gray. It also provides a detailed history of the novel, complemented by a fresh and insightful close reading.

By delving into these transnational contexts, Dorian Unbound sheds light on Wilde's creative process and his ability to blend diverse influences to create a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers worldwide. This book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts of literature, history, and cultural studies.

Weight: 310g
Dimension: 151 x 230 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781421446530