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Oscar Wilde

"The Fisherman and His Soul" by Oscar Wilde delves into the theme of sacrifice and the complexities of the human soul. The tale follows a young fisherman who falls in love with a mermaid, leading him to make a fateful decision. To be with his love, he seeks to rid himself of his soul, embarking on a journey that unravels profound insights into the nature of desire, morality, and spiritual connection. Wilde crafts a thought-provoking narrative, exploring the consequences of separating oneself from one's soul in pursuit of earthly desires. The story serves as a captivating exploration of the eternal struggle between the material and the spiritual, with Wilde's signature wit and symbolism woven throughout.

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Tales by Oscar Wilde

The Fisherman and his Soul

"The Young King" by Oscar Wilde is a poignant fable that explores the conflict between wealth and compassion. Set in a medieval kingdom, it follows the journey of a young shepherd who discovers he is the heir to the throne. As he grapples with the responsibilities and luxuries of his new status, the narrative unfolds with rich allegorical layers. Wilde weaves a tale of moral awakening, challenging societal norms and shedding light on the human condition. The story unfolds with vivid imagery and timeless lessons, inviting readers to contemplate the true meaning of kingship and the transformative power of empathy in the face of opulence and privilege.

The Young King

"The Birthday of the Infanta" by Oscar Wilde unfolds as a poignant tale set in a royal court. As the young princess celebrates her birthday, the narrative takes an unexpected turn when she encounters a peculiar and deformed dwarf. Through a blend of wit and tragedy, Wilde navigates themes of beauty, compassion, and the harsh realities of societal expectations. The story transcends its fairy-tale setting, delving into the profound consequences of superficial judgments and the price of perceived perfection. With Wilde's signature flair for paradox and satire, "The Birthday of the Infanta" invites readers to reflect on the complexities of human nature and the consequences of a world preoccupied with appearances.

The Birthday of the Infanta

"The Sphinx Without a Secret" by Oscar Wilde is a captivating short story that delves into the enigmatic nature of human relationships and the allure of hidden truths. Set against the backdrop of the sophisticated society of Victorian London, the narrative unravels the mystery surrounding a beautiful woman named Lady Alroy. The story begins with the protagonist encountering Lady Alroy at a dinner party, where her elegance and mystique capture his attention. Intrigued by her mysterious aura, he becomes determined to uncover the secret that lies beneath her captivating facade. However, his relentless pursuit only reveals that Lady Alroy lacks any hidden secret; she is, in fact, a Sphinx without a secret.

Josh Verbae

The Sphinx Without a Secret

Hughie Erskine is in love and wants to marry, but the girl's father will not allow it, since Erskine has no money. Erskine's friend Alan Trevor is a painter, and he visits him at his studio one day to find him with a pitiable beggar — the model for his painting. Erskine only has one coin, on which he depends for transportation, but he decides he can walk for a couple of weeks and gives the beggar the coin. Read in English, unabridged.

The Model Millionaire

Hughie Erskine is in love and wants to marry, but the girl's father will not allow it, since Erskine has no money. Erskine's friend Alan Trevor is a painter, and he visits him at his studio one day to find him with a pitiable beggar — the model for his painting. Erskine only has one coin, on which he depends for transportation, but he decides he can walk for a couple of weeks and gives the beggar the coin.

"The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde is a timeless tale that invites readers into a world of compassion, selflessness, and the true meaning of happiness. Set in a city where opulence and wealth contrast sharply with poverty and despair, the story follows a magnificent statue of a prince adorned with gold and precious gems. From his elevated perch, the Happy Prince witnesses the suffering and hardships endured by the city's impoverished inhabitants. Deeply moved by their plight, he implores a small swallow to aid him in relieving their suffering. Together, they embark on a journey of selfless acts of kindness, offering comfort and assistance to those in need.

The Happy Prince

Perpetual winter comes to a beautiful garden of the selfish giant who erected a wall around it to stop children playing in the garden. Unexpected consequences follow. The birds stop singing in this garden and both trees and flowers stop blossoming. One day discovers that spring has returned to the garden, as the children have found a way in through a gap in the wall. He sees the error of his ways, and resolves to destroy the wall.

The Selfish Giant

High above the city, on a tall column, stands the statue of the Happy Prince. He is gilded all over with thin leaves of fine gold, for eyes he has two bright sapphires, and a large red ruby glows on his sword-hilt. He is very much admired by the town officials yet a lot of poor people suffer here. One day a swallow who was left behind after his flock flew off to Egypt for the winter stops to sleep over under the statue of the Happy Prince and forms a lasting friendship with the Happy Price who helps the swallow discover the meaning of true happiness. Read in English, unabridged.

A nightingale finds a young romantic student in tears because he cannot find a red rose for his beautiful ball partner. There are no red roses in the garden. The nightingale visits all the rose-trees in the area, and one of the roses tells her there is a way to produce a red rose, but only if the nightingale is prepared to sing the sweetest song for the rose all night with her heart pressing into a thorn, sacrificing her life. Seeing the student in tears, and valuing his human life above her bird life, the nightingale carries out the ritual.

The Nightingale And the Rose

Perpetual winter comes to a beautiful garden of the selfish giant who erected a wall around it to stop children playing in the garden. Unexpected consequences follow. The birds stop singing in this garden and both trees and flowers stop blossoming. One day discovers that spring has returned to the garden, as the children have found a way in through a gap in the wall. He sees the error of his ways, and resolves to destroy the wall. Read in English by Josh Verbae, unabridged.

Little Hans spends most of his time gardening and makes a living from sales of his beautiful flowers. Little Hans always treats his neighbours well and even allows neighbouring rich Miller to pick flowers from his garden. But the Miller rarely invites Hans into his house or responds in kind. The Miller instead develops has his own philosophy of friendship: ‘Lots of people act well but very few people talk well, which shows that talking is much the more difficult thing of the two, and much the finer thing also'.

The Devoted Friend

Set in a magical kingdom where a wealthy prince and a Russian princess meet for the first time and fall madly in love with each other. Their wedding is to be a huge celebration for the entire realm, with all sorts of entertainment, including fireworks as a grand finale. As soon as various firework elements are set in place they start talking amongst each other and we meet the very distinguished Remarkable Rocket responsible for so many of Oscar Wilde's memorable epigrams. 'I like to do all of the talking myself. It saves time and prevents arguments.'

The Remarkable Rocket

The Star-Child is the story of an abandoned infant boy found in the woods by a poor woodcutter, who pities him and takes him in. He grows up to be exceedingly beautiful, but vain, cruel, and arrogant, believing himself to be the divine child of the stars. He lords himself over the other children, who follow him devotedly, and takes pleasure in torturing the forest animals and town beggars alike.

Tales by Oscar Wilde - La serie di libri

Tales by Oscar Wilde - La serie di libri

Tales by Oscar Wilde libri in ordine cronologico

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