De Profundis: The Ballad of Reading Gaol and Other Writings

This title comes with an introduction and notes by Anne Varty, Royal Holloway, University of London. 'De Profundis' is Wilde's eloquent and bitter reproach from prison to his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas. He contrasts his behaviour with that of his close friend Robert Ross who became Wilde's literary executor. 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol' is a deeply moving and characteristically generous poem on the horrors of prison life, which was published anonymously in 1898. This collection also includes the essay 'The Soul of Man under Socialism' and two of his Platonic dialogues, 'The Decay of Lying' and 'The Critic as Artist'. AUTHOR: "I have put my genius into my life, all I have put into my works is my talents". In many ways, the written works of Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) are overshadowed by the drama of his life, and the incandescence of his personality, but they should not be undervalued. Whether it is the wit of his plays, the intriguing premise of his only novel, 'The Picture of Dorian Gray, the sporadic brilliance of his poetry or the delightful charm of his children's stories, not just the talent but the genius of the man shines through.