{"product_id":"oscar-a-life-9781803284347","title":"Oscar: A Life","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003eThe first major biography of Oscar Wilde in thirty years, nominated for the Wolfson History Prize 2019.\u003cbr\u003eThe Book of the Year, perhaps of the decade, by TLS.\u003cbr\u003eSimply the best modern biography of Wilde... A terrific achievement, by Evening Standard.\u003cbr\u003ePage-turning... Vivid and desperately moving. By The Sunday Times Books of the Year.\u003cbr\u003eOscar 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.\u003cbr\u003eHe 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.\u003cbr\u003eHe disparaged authority but went to the law to defend his love for Lord Alfred Douglas, and died almost alone.\u003cbr\u003eMatthew 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. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 912 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 29 September 2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Head of Zeus\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 650g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 129 x 199 x 52 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9781803284347\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEdition number\u003c\/strong\u003e: Reissue\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Matthew Sturgis","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":44098375352570,"sku":"9781803284347","price":9.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/1664547293794_book.jpg?v=1664624274","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/oscar-a-life-9781803284347","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}