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The Importance of Being Earnest

By Oscar Wilde, Michael Billington (Editor), Robert Wilson (Editor)

(910)

| Paperback | 9780582331341

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Book Description

To mark the centenary of Wilde's death, The Stratford Festival of Canada staged this unique production of the original, complete four-act version of his famous play. This does not replace the well-known three-act version, but does give the audience an opportunity to enjoy the play that Wilde originaContinue

To mark the centenary of Wilde's death, The Stratford Festival of Canada staged this unique production of the original, complete four-act version of his famous play. This does not replace the well-known three-act version, but does give the audience an opportunity to enjoy the play that Wilde originally wrote, with its extra characters, more pointed social commentary, additional scenes and new dialogue. This play remains perhaps Wilde's wittiest and most loved romantic comedy.

Critics

  • 'The Importance of Being Earnest' by Oscar Wilde

    I had seen a film version of this play a couple of years ago (the 2002 version starring Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Frances O'Connor, Reese Witherspoon and Judi Dench) and I remember laughing out loud at a lot of it. But seeing the words in black-an ... (read full critics)

    readingmatters published on Tue, 28 Sep 2010

  • The Two Oscar Wildes

    At the climax of Oscar Wilde’s comic masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest, we learn that a baby has been mistaken for a book. Until that improbable revelation, however, the play—Wilde’s wicked exposé of the artificiality of conventional moral ... (read full critics)

    nybooks published on Sat, 21 Aug 2010

24 Reviews

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  • 4 people find this helpful

    A trivial comedy for serious people

    Divertentissimo!!

    I have only been married once. That was in consequence of a misunderstanding between my-self and a young person.

    -I really don't see anything romantic in proposing.It is very romantic to be in love. But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal. Why, one may b ... (continue)

    Divertentissimo!!

    I have only been married once. That was in consequence of a misunderstanding between my-self and a young person.

    -I really don't see anything romantic in proposing.It is very romantic to be in love. But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal. Why, one may be accepted. One usually is, I believe. Then the excitement is all over. If ever I get married, I'll certainly try to forget the fact.
    - I have no doubt about that, dear Alvy. The Divorce Court was specially invented for people whose memories are so curiously constituted.

    A man who marries without knowing Bunbury has a very tedious time of it.

    Is this helpful?

    Giulia Irene said on Nov 20, 2009 | 2 feedbacks

  • 2 people find this helpful

    That is the first time I read one of Wilde's work and I found it really amusing! I have to say that not being an anglophone penalised me a bit as some phrases, terms or idioms were not fully comprehensible to me; however I believe I have understood most part of the comedy.
    And I have to say that it ... (continue)

    That is the first time I read one of Wilde's work and I found it really amusing! I have to say that not being an anglophone penalised me a bit as some phrases, terms or idioms were not fully comprehensible to me; however I believe I have understood most part of the comedy.
    And I have to say that it was not only entertaining but I found in it some interesting ideas and points of view previously unknown to me!
    I will gladly read some other Wilde's plays or novels!

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    Scipio said on Jan 7, 2012 | Add your feedback

  • 2 people find this helpful

    Oscar Wilde's wittism is irresistible. This play I think is the most readable and entertaining and contains many of his famous quotes.

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    Mayng504 said on Oct 14, 2007 | Add your feedback

  • Amusing as few others!

    We could speak about the many themes of this novel, but you can look for them everywhere. The only important thing is how much enjoyable it is reading it!

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    Cice said on Apr 6, 2012 about the Others edition | Add your feedback

  • This fiction is reproduced base on the script of Oscar Wilde's play "The importance of being Earnest".

    Although the fiction has written in very concise way to extend the story, I still prefer the original text of Wilde. Yet, the fiction has extended the emotion, expression, and all other details o ... (continue)

    This fiction is reproduced base on the script of Oscar Wilde's play "The importance of being Earnest".

    Although the fiction has written in very concise way to extend the story, I still prefer the original text of Wilde. Yet, the fiction has extended the emotion, expression, and all other details of the play, but still feels too much to me.

    It's much fun to read the text in script form, especially when the plot climbing to the climax, every script would drive the reader or the audience of the play to be more nervous to know the answer, which fiction in some way reduce the tension feeling. That's why I would prefer the original script more than the fiction.

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    瑩 said on Mar 11, 2012 about the Others edition | Add your feedback

  • Read this to prepare for the play I'm about to watch in February 2012.
    An interesting read packed with oxymorons and cynicism.

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    Ochya said on Jan 6, 2012 | Add your feedback

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