The Happy Prince And Other Tales
(Author) Oscar WildeThe five original fairy tales included in this volume were first published by Davis Nutt in 1888. Although it is said that Wilde wrote them for his two young sons, the author himself claimed they were '. . . . not for children, but for childlike people from eighteen to eighty'. Since then the stories have been constantly reprinted and, despite the author's disclaimer, children have made the tales their own, a particular favourite being 'The Selfish Giant' - the highly moral story of the giant who banished children from his garden, so that spring never came. Charles Robinson, who produced the illustrations for a special edition first published in 1913, brought to the book a feeliong for its innate sadness that exactly fits the poetry of Wilde's text.
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde was an Irish playwright, novelist, and essayist known for his wit, flamboyant style, and sharp social commentary. His most famous works include the play "The Importance of Being Earnest" and the novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray," both of which explore themes of identity, morality, and societal expectations. Wilde's writing is characterized by clever wordplay, satirical humor, and a keen observation of human nature. He was a key figure in the aesthetic and decadent movements of the late 19th century and is considered one of the most important voices in British literature. Wilde's impact on literature can be seen in his subversion of conventional Victorian norms and his pioneering use of irony and paradox.