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The Happy Prince: 08/24/07
The version of The Happy Prince and Other Stories I read is a Penguin 60s and only has half the stories of the original collection: "The Happy Prince", "The Young King", "The Devoted Friend" and "The Model Millionaire." The longer collection also includes: "The Nightingale and the Rose", "The Selfish Giant", "The Remarkable Rocket", "The Birthday of the Infanta", "The Star-Child" and "The Fisherman and His Soul." As I have not read these stories, my review won't include them except to say, I'm glad I read a short version because the four I read were pretty tedious reading. I have read other Oscar Wilde works and have enjoyed them for their wit and humor but these stories that are something between a fairy tale and a parable were rather dull reads. The only I really enjoyed was "The Model Millionaire" which I'm sure was originally from a different short story collection. The Model Millionaire, while it contains a lesson like the other three, is still aimed at an adult audience and the moral comes in a true shaggy-dog story fashion. The other three seem to be about the importance of self sacrifice and the futility of doing good works but they are told in such a heavy handed fashion that I wanted to toss the thin book across the room on a number of occasions. As the book is only 60 pages long, I decided to persevere and finish the damn thing before I tossed it. Comments (15)
1997-2023 Sarah Sammis |
Comment #1: Sunday, June, 15, 2008 at 16:47:37
Thanks for fixing this :)
I normally enjoy Wilde's wit and humour too. I own this book, but I haven't read it yet. I wonder how I'll feel about it. "
Comment #2: Sunday, June, 15, 2008 at 17:55:48
No worries. Let's just say that some folks shouldn't write for children. "
Comment #3: Sunday, June, 15, 2008 at 19:23:02
I remember reading these when I was a child. I liked them back then, but I don't know if I still would now."
Comment #4: Sunday, June, 15, 2008 at 22:43:54
I haven't read much Wilde. But now I know to go with something else."
Comment #5: Sunday, June, 15, 2008 at 21:24:52
I've read positive reviews of the book. It's so short, I recommend trying a story or two before you write it off completely."
Comment #6: Sunday, June, 15, 2008 at 23:53:55
I just picked this up last month and wondered how it would be. Wilde doesn't seem like the type to fit this genre...
(jumped here from Bookworms Carnival)"
Comment #7: Sunday, June, 15, 2008 at 21:28:54
Oscar Wilde did live a conventional life for a while with a wife and children. He wrote the book for his children."
Comment #8: Tuesday, June, 17, 2008 at 13:09:48
Gee, I've read the "grownup" works of Oscar Wilde and definitely enjoyed them. A lot. The plays I mean.
I don't know much about this though. And methinks I shouldn't feel sad if I don't get to read this at all :)"
Comment #9: Tuesday, June, 17, 2008 at 11:17:35
If you're a fan of his work, you should give the book a try. It's very short and who knows, you might ike it even though I didn't."
Comment #10: Tuesday, June, 17, 2008 at 14:29:52
I have to admit to never reading anything by Wilde - maybe I should start..."
Comment #12: Tuesday, June, 17, 2008 at 17:25:40
I had no clue Wilde wrote stuff like this. How did I miss this? Thank you for the review."
Comment #14: Tuesday, June, 17, 2008 at 22:19:02
This was a new one for me to hear about, thanks for the review:)"
Comment #15: Thursday, June, 19, 2008 at 19:38:44
It's too bad it was a disappointment. Some retellings just don't work, especially if they're trying to make a point..."
