In Praise of Disobedience
The Soul of Man Under Socialism and Other Writings
Will be published approx. on 10. November 2020
Book
Paperback/Softback
336 pages
978-1-78478-481-2 (ISBN)
Description
In Praise of Disobedience draw on works from a single miraculous year in which Oscar Wilde published the larger part of his greatest prose - the year he came into maturity as an artist. Before the end of 1891, he had written the first of his phenomenally successful plays and met the young man who would win his heart, beginning the love affair that would lead to imprisonment and public infamy.
In a witty introduction, playwright, novelist and Wilde scholar Neil Bartlett explains what made this point in the writer's life central to his genius and why Wilde remains a provocative and radical figure to this day.
Included here are the entirety of Wilde's foray into political philosophy, The Soul of Man Under Socialism; the complete essay collection Intentions; selections from The Portrait of Dorian Gray as well as its paradoxical and scandalous preface; and some of Wilde's greatest fictions for children. Each selection is accompanied by stimulating and enlightening annotations. A delight for fans of Oscar Wilde, In Praise of Disobedience will restore and revitalize an often misunderstood legacy.
In a witty introduction, playwright, novelist and Wilde scholar Neil Bartlett explains what made this point in the writer's life central to his genius and why Wilde remains a provocative and radical figure to this day.
Included here are the entirety of Wilde's foray into political philosophy, The Soul of Man Under Socialism; the complete essay collection Intentions; selections from The Portrait of Dorian Gray as well as its paradoxical and scandalous preface; and some of Wilde's greatest fictions for children. Each selection is accompanied by stimulating and enlightening annotations. A delight for fans of Oscar Wilde, In Praise of Disobedience will restore and revitalize an often misunderstood legacy.
Reviews / Votes
I loved Wilde's The Soul of Man Under Socialism - loved its uncompromising approach to the crushing problem of social and economic inequality . Wilde takes no prisoners from the very outset -- Will Self * Guardian * Wilde offers us an important reminder of virtues we as a society may have for a time lost: the need to strive for utopias; the inevitability of socialism if our world is to survive; the need to reinvigorate humanity's spirit of rebelliousness and disobedience, and to challenge, not accept, the injustices and inequalities we see all around us. The world needs Oscar Wilde and his daring, beautiful ideas today more than ever. * PopMatters * When I feel myself becoming gloomy or pessimistic, the book that reminds me that change and optimism are possible is Oscar Wilde's The Soul of Man Under Socialism, a wise and witty essay that recommends both equality and indolence, and appears to believe you can't have one without the other. -- Hanif KureishiMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 128 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
271 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78478-481-2 (9781784784812)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
11/2018
Verso Books
€19.49
Available for download
Previous edition
Book
11/2018
Verso Books
€19.00
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Persons
Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was born in Dublin, Ireland, and educated at Trinity College Dublin and Oxford. He first made a name for himself as an ostentatious lecturer on aestheticism. He published articles, short stories, and one novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, before achieving success as a playwright. He was imprisoned for homosexuality and sentenced to two years' hard labour. On his release, he sought exile on the Continent, wrote little, and was never to see his children again.
Neil Bartlett is a British playwright and novelist. He became Artistic Director of the Lyric Hammersmith in London in 1994; since leaving the Lyric in 2005 he has worked with many of the UK's most prestigious theatres and theatrical festivals. His first book was a study of Oscar Wilde, Who's That Man?, part biography and part fantasia, exploring gay London culture across a span of one hundred years. Bartlett has written novels, plays, and adaptations, and is an accomplished translator. His most recent novel, The Disappearance Boy, was nominated for the Stonewall Author of the Year Award.
Neil Bartlett is a British playwright and novelist. He became Artistic Director of the Lyric Hammersmith in London in 1994; since leaving the Lyric in 2005 he has worked with many of the UK's most prestigious theatres and theatrical festivals. His first book was a study of Oscar Wilde, Who's That Man?, part biography and part fantasia, exploring gay London culture across a span of one hundred years. Bartlett has written novels, plays, and adaptations, and is an accomplished translator. His most recent novel, The Disappearance Boy, was nominated for the Stonewall Author of the Year Award.