The Importance of Being Earnest
Ratings359
Average rating4.2
I read it on my own, and glad I did. I would not have appreciated it anywhere as much had I read it in high school.
Summary: In this play by Oscar Wilde, Jack is living two lives: he is known by his real name, Jack, to his friends in his more permanent country home, but his friends (and his love interest) in London know him as Earnest. Jack’s double-identity create some ridiculous and hilarious situations in this comedy of manners.
Probably one of the best books (or plays) I've ever read. Wilde's style is infectiously delightful, and almost every paragraph had me in splits. His grasp of the very upper class he was later part of for a while is unparalleled, and the satire is all the more perfect for it. The characters are a blast, the story's premise is so ludicrous that it reads like a Bollywood masala movie (except infinitely better), and the ending is such a cute one too!
It's such a short and simple read that I'd recommend this to anyone of any age, no matter what your preferences in reading are.
I listened to the 1977 BBC Radio performance of this play as an audiobook from the library.
Wilde is just so charmingly witty and it's fun to follow the rapid-fire dialogue in this. It was a good time, but I was never completely enamored by it. I think it would be a blast to see performed live with an audience though, so I'll have to seek that out sometime.
Always worth a re-read, one of Wilde's greatest accomplishments. Some might say it is his greatest accomplishment, though I am biased due to my love of Dorian Grey. Witty, romantic, and expertly paced. I could spend hours discussing this play (and in fact I have). Something everyone should read at least once.
Very fun play, the quick hitting dialogue is endlessly entertaining. A perfect change of pace read in between heavier books.
An interesting play filled with interesting characters. I may have never read it or even thought of reading it had it not been for the extra time I found myself having after the Corona epidemic.
So good!
I enjoyed the interview at the end that provided some context and backstory, which enriches the experience of the story. Love the insight that the characters represent pillars of different aspects of society, and how they should be rebuffed/resisted. The governess Miss Prism represents education, the reverend Frederick Chasuble is the church, and Aunt Agusta is the aristocracy.
A brilliant comedy of errors with subtly philosophical epigrams! Classic Oscar Wilde! Masterpiece indeed!
A satire of Victorian society with Oscar Wilde's strong appetite for wit. Too bad I was still working very hard to absorb the context.
I chose this from audible because of Spike, I mean James Marsters. =)
It was well worth it. A very humorous, enjoyable, quick read/listen.
Muy gracioso y un poco cursi, me hizo sonreír.
Very funny and a little bit cheesy, really made me smile.
Short Read: Good comic farce. I feel like I have watched some version of the story before, but I didn't know the final twist. I enjoyed Wilde's Picture of Dorian Gray, but didn't think it was all that special. But enjoyed this much more. I will have to find more of Wilde's comedy.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/importance-earnest-oscar-wilde/
Ridiculous, clever, fun, and the perfect length. Much longer and it would have worn out its welcome, but it's just right as-is.
Hilarious. It could actually justify even the amount of laughter in a 90's sitcom laugh track.
