Oscar: A Life

The first major biography of Oscar Wilde in thirty years, nominated for the Wolfson History Prize 2019.
The Book of the Year, perhaps of the decade, by TLS.
Simply the best modern biography of Wilde... A terrific achievement, by Evening Standard.
Page-turning... Vivid and desperately moving. By The Sunday Times Books of the Year.
Oscar Wilde's life was full of paradox, from being an early exponent and victim of celebrity culture to his achievements being downplayed and his successes resented.
He had a genius for comedy but strove to write tragedies, was an unabashed snob who exposed society's faults, and affected a dandified disdain but was prone to great acts of kindness.
He disparaged authority but went to the law to defend his love for Lord Alfred Douglas, and died almost alone.
Matthew Sturgis draws on new material and research to bring alive the distinctive mood and characters of the fin de siècle in the richest and most compelling portrait of Wilde to date.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 912 pages
Publication date: 29 September 2022
Publisher: Head of Zeus

The first major biography of Oscar Wilde in thirty years, and the most complete telling of his life and times to date, "The Book of the Year" (TLS) and "Simply the best modern biography of Wilde" (Evening Standard) is now available. Nominated for the Wolfson History Prize 2019, this book offers a vivid and moving portrayal of Wilde's life, combining wit, paradox, and a deep understanding of the fin de siècle. Oscar Wilde's life was a paradoxical journey through celebrity culture, where he was both celebrated and ridiculed, his achievements often downplayed and his successes resented. Despite his genius for comedy, Wilde yearned to write tragedies, and he was an unabashed snob who delighted in exposing the faults of society. He was a passionate lover of men and brought disaster upon himself, yet he disparaged authority and went to the law to defend his love for Lord Alfred Douglas. Despite his flamboyant refusal to conform to the social and sexual orthodoxies of his day, Wilde remains a hero and an inspiration to all who seek to challenge convention. Matthew Sturgis's book 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.

Weight: 650g
Dimension: 129 x 199 x 52 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803284347
Edition number: Reissue