Tag Archives: Oscar Wilde

Some Gems From (and About) Oscar Wilde

Posted on May 9, 2009 by sheila

Mankind has been continually entering the prisons of Puritanism, Philistinism, Sensualism, Fanaticism, and turning the key on his own spirit: But after a time there is an enormous desire for higher freedom – for self-preservation. _____________ I find it harder … Continue reading →

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2008 Books Read

Posted on December 31, 2008 by sheila

… in the order in which I finished them, understanding that very often I read many books at the same time. I count re-read books, by the way. I’ll include links to any posts or book excerpts I might have … Continue reading →

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The Books: “The Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry” – Walt Whitman

Posted on December 5, 2008 by sheila

Daily Book Excerpt: Poetry The Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry, Volume 1: Modern Poetry, edited by Jahan Ramazani, Richard Ellmann, and Robert O’Clair A gorgeous two-volume edition of the Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry is the … Continue reading →

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Actresses: “Horrid People With Dyed Hair and Painted Faces”

Posted on November 30, 2008 by sheila

I am reading The Picture of Dorian Gray right now and immediately wanted to post the following passage. It is an affirmation of the power that actresses can have. To all my actress friends out there, this is for you! … Continue reading →

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“Forgive My Being Silent: After Wilde, I Only Exist A Little.”

Posted on November 14, 2008 by sheila

So wrote Andre Gide in a letter to Paul Valery in 1891, after meeting Oscar Wilde in Paris. The effect Wilde had on Gide, a young man of about 20 at the time, was tremendous and could, ultimately, have destroyed … Continue reading →

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The Books: “The Story Of My Life” (Ellen Terry)

Posted on November 5, 2008 by sheila

Daily Book Excerpt: Entertainment Biography/Memoir The Story of My Life, by Ellen Terry This is one of my favorite books in my entire collection, just in terms of it as an object. Second only to the first-edition Ulysses that my … Continue reading →

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Oscar Wilde: “going out into the world without a single book?”

Posted on September 25, 2008 by sheila

A new biography of Oscar Wilde is coming out called Oscar’s Books, by Thomas Wright and I am frothing at the mouth to get my grubby little paws on it. Brenda Maddox reviews it in The Literary Review and the … Continue reading →

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Henry James, Robert Louis Stevenson, Oscar Wilde.

Posted on October 28, 2007 by sheila

… and more in this wonderful post by Ms. Baroque, who may very well be my new favorite blogger. I love how she writes. I have heard a bit about the book she mentions (or one of them) – the … Continue reading →

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Vanity

Posted on May 30, 2007 by sheila

It is curious how vanity helps keep the successful man and wrecks the failure. In old days half of my strength was my vanity. — Oscar Wilde letter to friend following Wilde’s release from jail, Nov. 16, 1897

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A Problem

Posted on May 30, 2007 by sheila

He hasn’t an enemy in the world, and none of his friends like him. — Oscar Wilde on George Bernard Shaw

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