'The Life of Oscar Wilde' Summary

The Life of Oscar Wilde is a comprehensive and sympathetic biography of the Irish writer and poet. Sherard, who was a close friend of Wilde, provides a unique and insightful perspective on the writer's life. The book covers Wilde's early years, his education at Oxford, his rise to fame as a writer and playwright, his scandalous affair with Lord Alfred Douglas, and his eventual downfall and imprisonment. Sherard also discusses Wilde's philosophy and his impact on modern culture.

The book begins with Wilde's childhood and education. Wilde was born into a wealthy family in Dublin, Ireland, in 1854. He was a brilliant student, and he excelled at both academics and athletics. After graduating from Trinity College, Dublin, Wilde moved to London to study law. However, he soon abandoned his legal studies to pursue a career in writing.

Wilde's early works were met with critical acclaim. His first collection of poems, Poems, was published in 1881. His first play, Salome, was a critical and commercial success when it was first produced in Paris in 1891. Wilde's most famous play, The Importance of Being Earnest, was first produced in London in 1895.

In 1891, Wilde met Lord Alfred Douglas, a young aristocrat who was instantly smitten with the writer. The two men began a passionate affair, which eventually led to Wilde's downfall. In 1895, Douglas's father, the Marquess of Queensberry, accused Wilde of sodomy. Wilde sued Queensberry for libel, but he was ultimately found guilty of the charges and sentenced to two years of hard labor.

Wilde's imprisonment was a major scandal, and it effectively ended his career as a writer. He was released from prison in 1897, but he never fully recovered from the experience. He died in Paris in 1900, at the age of 46.

The Life of Oscar Wilde is a fascinating and well-written biography. Sherard provides a balanced and nuanced portrait of Wilde, and he does not shy away from the more controversial aspects of the writer's life. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in Wilde or in the history of late 19th century literature.