Short Stories of Oscar Wilde: An Annotated Selection

A new collection of Oscar Wilde's short stories, accompanied by informative facing-page annotations from Wilde biographer and scholar Nicholas Frankel, showcases his gift as a storyteller and his sharp social criticism. The stories, which were written for children, explore themes of tragic, forbidden love and condemn the repressive social and sexual values of Wilde's time. They are the perfect distillation of one of the Victorian era's most remarkable writers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 27 November 2020
Publisher: Harvard University Press

A Timeless Collection of Short Stories:


Oscar Wilde, renowned as one of the greatest writers of the Victorian era, has unveiled a captivating new edition of nine classic short stories. In a revealing confession to his friend André Gide, Wilde revealed his profound connection with storytelling, stating, "I cannot think other than in stories." This remarkable collection showcases Wilde's exceptional talent as a storyteller, accompanied by informative facing-page annotations provided by Wilde biographer and scholar Nicholas Frankel. A comprehensive introduction immerses readers in the world that inspired Wilde's literary creations.


Within the pages of this collection, each story brims with Wilde's trademark wit, style, and sharp social criticism. While some believe that these stories were originally intended for children, Wilde vehemently disputed this assertion, asserting that his stories possessed universal appeal to those who had retained their childlike faculties of wonder and joy. "Lord Arthur Saviles Crime," a comedic masterpiece, stands alongside Wilde's iconic work, "The Importance of Being Earnest." Other stories, such as "The Happy Prince," the poignant tale of a young ruler who had never known sorrow, and "The Nightingale and the Rose," the poignant story of a nightingale who selflessly sacrifices herself for true love, delve into the theme of tragic, forbidden love, tempered by a profound sense of seriousness and even despair, reflecting the repressive social and sexual values of Wilde's era.


Similar to his later writings, Wilde's short stories serve as a scathing indictment of the society that would condemn him for his homosexuality in 1895, just five years before his untimely death at the age of forty-six. Presented here in the format in which Victorian readers first encountered them, Wilde's short stories offer a timeless treasure trove that resonates with readers of diverse ages and temperaments. They serve as the perfect distillation of one of the Victorian eras most remarkable writers, leaving an indelible mark on the literary landscape.

Weight: 532g
Dimension: 151 x 216 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674248670