Reviews
Books & Literature
About
Wilde’s enduring literary legacy has weathered countless critiques, proving resilient against attempts to unearth the opinions he and his admirers might prefer to forget. This collection promises to captivate readers with its intriguing insights; some reviews are remarkably prophetic, while others reveal biases shaped by affection or animosity. Many reflect Wilde’s sharpest wit and most joyful creativity, with only a handful lacking color. According to Lord Beaconsfield, the judgments of a European nation can be seen as the verdict of posterity, and Wildes influence on literature has far exceeded what even his most supportive contemporaries could have imagined. Notably, when these reviews were penned, Wilde had barely begun publishing the works that would ultimately secure his fame across Europe, though he was already a prominent figure in both Paris and London’s aesthetic movement. (Summary from Introduction by Robert Ross)
Episodes
- 098 - Mr Pater's Last Volume
This episode reviews Oscar Wilde's early works, detailing how contemporary critics in Paris and London received them. It highlights prophetic insights and biases in these initial assessments, noting Wilde's prominent but still developing l…
- 097 - A Chinese Sage
This episode reviews early critiques of Oscar Wilde's literary output, highlighting how contemporary opinions often foreshadowed his lasting impact. It examines how some reviews were remarkably prophetic, while others were shaped by person…
- 096 - Three New Poets
This episode of Reviews examines early critiques of Oscar Wilde. The discussion covers how some reviews were prophetic, while others were shaped by bias, and many reflected Wilde's wit and creativity.
- 095 - Mr Swinburne's Last Volume
This episode discusses "Mr Swinburne's Last Volume," a collection of reviews on Oscar Wilde's literary legacy. It examines various critiques, some prophetic and others revealing biases, reflecting Wilde's wit and creativity.
- 094 - The Poets' Corner--X
This episode examines Oscar Wilde's literary legacy through early reviews, some prophetic and others biased. It notes that Wilde's influence grew significantly beyond what contemporaries expected, even as he was beginning his most famous w…
- 093 - A Thought-Reader's Novel
This episode examines reviews of Oscar Wilde's work, highlighting their prophetic insights, biases, and reflections of his wit. It notes that many contemporary judgments foreshadowed his lasting European literary influence, even though his…
- 092 - Some Literary Notes--VI
This episode examines literary reviews of Oscar Wilde's work, noting how his legacy has endured despite contemporary critiques. Many reviews showcase his wit and creativity, with some proving prophetic while others reveal personal biases.
- 091 - Ouida's New Novel
This episode delves into Ouida's new novel by examining contemporary reviews. It highlights how these critiques, whether prophetic or biased, reveal insights into the novel and underscore Oscar Wilde's enduring literary legacy, which has s…
- 090 - Some Literary Notes--V
This episode examines literary reviews of Oscar Wilde's work, highlighting their prophetic nature and biases. It notes Wilde's significant influence, which surpassed his contemporaries' expectations even early in his career.
- 089 - Mr Froude's Blue-Book
This episode examines early reviews of Oscar Wilde's work, as documented in 'Mr Froude's Blue-Book.' The reviews offer a range of perspectives, from prophetic to biased, reflecting Wilde's growing influence on the literary scene during the…
- 088 - Some Literary Notes--IV
This episode, 'Some Literary Notes--IV,' discusses Oscar Wilde's lasting literary legacy and the varied, often prophetic, nature of contemporary reviews. It highlights his significant influence on the European aesthetic movement, exceeding…
- 087 - The Poets' Corner--IX
This episode examines Oscar Wilde's lasting literary influence through contemporary reviews. Many reviews accurately predicted his impact, while others showed personal biases. The collection highlights Wilde's wit and creativity, with his…
- 086 - Adam Lindsay Gordon
This episode reviews Adam Lindsay Gordon's literary legacy, highlighting its resilience and the diverse perspectives presented in contemporary critiques. It notes that many reviews capture Wilde's wit and creativity, even though his major…
- 085 - Mr William Morris's Last Book
This episode reviews Mr. William Morris's last book, noting that many early reviews displayed sharp wit and creativity. The collection includes prophetic insights and reflects biases, demonstrating Wilde's lasting influence.
- 084 - Some Literary Notes--III
This episode examines Oscar Wilde's literary legacy through contemporary reviews, many written before his fame was established. The reviews offer prophetic insights, biases, and reflections of Wilde's wit, with his influence ultimately exc…
- 083 - Mr Brander Matthews' Essays
This episode reviews Mr. Brander Matthews' essays on Oscar Wilde, highlighting Wilde's resilient literary legacy and significant influence on European literature, even early in his career.
- 082 - Poetical Socialists
This episode explores Oscar Wilde's literary legacy through a collection of reviews, highlighting their prophetic nature and the biases present. It notes that Wilde's influence has grown significantly beyond what his contemporaries imagine…
- 081 - One of the Bibles of the World
This episode discusses Oscar Wilde's literary legacy through contemporary reviews, noting their prophetic insights and biases. It highlights Wilde's significant influence on literature, exceeding expectations even early in his career, as m…
- 080 - Some Literary Notes--II
This episode delves into Oscar Wilde's literary legacy through contemporary reviews, as summarized by Robert Ross. Many reviews are insightful and prophetic, reflecting Wilde's wit and creativity, despite biases from the time.
- 079 - The New President
This episode discusses Oscar Wilde's literary legacy, featuring a collection of reviews that offer insights into his work and influence. Some reviews are prophetic, while others reveal biases, but many highlight Wilde's wit and creativity,…
- 078 - The Gospel According to Walt Whitman
This episode delves into the reviews of Oscar Wilde's work, as summarized by Robert Ross. It notes that many reviews were prophetic and reflected Wilde's wit, despite being written early in his career.
- 077 - Poetry and Prison
This episode delves into Oscar Wilde's literary legacy through contemporary reviews. Many reviews offer prophetic insights or reveal biases, reflecting Wilde's wit and creativity during the early stages of his career, with his influence ul…
- 076 - Some Literary Notes--I
This episode discusses Oscar Wilde's literary legacy through contemporary reviews, noting their prophetic qualities and biases. The reviews highlight Wilde's wit and creativity, exceeding even his contemporaries' expectations of his Europe…
- 075 - Australian Poets
This episode of Reviews examines the literary legacy and early critical reception of Oscar Wilde, drawing on an introduction by Robert Ross. It explores how early reviews shaped his reputation before he achieved his later international fam…
- 074 - Sir Edwin Arnold's Last Volume
This episode reviews Sir Edwin Arnold's last volume, noting the prophetic insights and biases within contemporary reviews. It highlights Arnold's significant literary influence, which surpassed contemporary expectations, even as his fame w…
- 073 - A Note on Some Modern Poets
This episode of Reviews examines Oscar Wilde's literary legacy through contemporary reviews. It explores how these assessments reflected his early career as a prominent figure in the aesthetic movement before his most famous works were pub…
- 072 - The Poets' Corner--VIII
This episode reviews Oscar Wilde's literary legacy through contemporary critiques, noting that his influence far exceeded his contemporaries' expectations even early in his career.
- 071 - A Fascinating Book
This episode reviews Wilde's enduring literary legacy, featuring captivating insights and prophetic judgments from contemporary reviews. It highlights his wit and creativity, noting his influence far exceeded expectations even early in his…
- 070 - The Poets' Corner--VII
This episode examines Oscar Wilde's lasting literary impact, as analyzed through contemporary reviews. The collection includes prophetic insights, biased opinions, and showcases Wilde's wit and creativity, highlighting his significant infl…
- 069 - M Caro on George Sand
This episode of Reviews examines the literary legacy and early reception of Oscar Wilde, featuring insights from an introduction by Robert Ross. It explores contemporary critiques of Wilde's work, reflecting his early influence in Paris an…
- 068 - The Poets' Corner--VI
This episode delves into Oscar Wilde's enduring literary legacy, examining contemporary reviews that highlight his wit and creativity. The collection reveals prophetic insights and acknowledges the biases of the time, underscoring Wilde's…
- 067 - Literary and Other Notes--V
This episode examines Oscar Wilde’s enduring literary legacy through various reviews, some of which were prophetic while others reflected contemporary biases. The collection highlights Wilde’s wit and creativity, noting his significant inf…
- 066 - Venus or Victory
This episode delves into Oscar Wilde's literary legacy using contemporary reviews. Many reviews highlight Wilde's wit and creativity, with some showing prophetic insights and others reflecting the biases of their time.
- 065 - The Poets' Corner--V
This episode reviews Oscar Wilde's literary legacy through contemporary critiques, noting their prophetic nature and Wilde's early prominence in the aesthetic movement.
- 064 - Literary and Other Notes--IV
This episode delves into Oscar Wilde's lasting literary legacy through contemporary reviews, highlighting their varied perspectives and prophetic qualities. It notes Wilde's early prominence in the aesthetic movement and his influence exce…
- 063 - The Poets' Corner--IV
This episode reviews Oscar Wilde's literary legacy through contemporary critiques, noting their prophetic nature, biases, and reflection of his wit. It highlights Wilde's prominence in the aesthetic movement despite his major works being y…
- 062 - Literary and Other Notes--III
This episode of Reviews delves into Oscar Wilde's lasting literary impact by analyzing contemporary reviews. It highlights how these critiques, varying in perspective, reveal Wilde's wit and creativity, and underscore his significant influ…
- 061 - Early Christian Art in Ireland
This episode discusses Oscar Wilde's literary legacy through the lens of contemporary reviews, highlighting their prophetic nature, biases, and Wilde's early prominence in the aesthetic movement.
- 060 - Aristotle at Afternoon Tea
This episode examines Oscar Wilde's literary legacy through reviews written during his lifetime. Despite biases and critiques, many reviews highlight Wilde's wit and creativity, with his influence ultimately exceeding contemporary expectat…
- 059 - Literary and Other Notes--II
This episode delves into Oscar Wilde's lasting literary impact, examining reviews that highlight his wit and creativity, despite differing biases. The collection shows his influence, even before his major works secured his European fame.
- 058 - Sir Charles Bowen's Virgil
This collection reviews Sir Charles Bowen's Virgil, examining critical opinions on Wilde's enduring literary legacy and prophetic insights, noting his early prominence in the aesthetic movement.
- 057 - Mr Morris's Completion of the Odyssey
This episode examines reviews of Mr Morris's Completion of the Odyssey, noting their prophetic qualities and biases. It highlights Wilde's lasting influence on literature, even as his fame was just beginning to grow across Europe.
- 056 - Mr Mahaffy's New Book
This episode analyzes reviews of Mr. Mahaffy's new book, focusing on Oscar Wilde's literary legacy and how contemporary critiques perceived his work and influence, even before his major publications.
- 055 - Literary and Other Notes--I
This episode delves into Oscar Wilde's lasting literary impact by analyzing contemporary reviews. It highlights how these critiques, written early in his career, reveal prophetic insights and biases, showcasing Wilde's wit and creativity e…
- 054 - A Scotchman on Scottish Poetry
This episode delves into Oscar Wilde's lasting literary legacy, analyzing reviews that reveal prophetic insights, biases, and his wit. It notes Wilde's significant European influence, which surpassed contemporary expectations even before t…
- 053 - Two Biographies of Keats
This episode reviews biographies of Keats, referencing an introduction by Robert Ross that details Oscar Wilde's lasting literary impact and the prophetic or biased nature of early reviews.
- 052 - New Novels August 20 1887
This episode reviews Oscar Wilde's early works published in August 1887. It examines contemporary reviews, noting their prescience and biases, and discusses Wilde's growing influence on literature and the aesthetic movement.
- 051 - A Good Historical Novel
This episode examines Wilde's literary legacy through historical reviews, noting their prophetic nature and biases. The collection highlights Wilde's wit and creativity, with his influence exceeding contemporary expectations.
- 050 - Mr Pater's Imaginary Portraits
This episode examines the reviews of Oscar Wilde's literary legacy, as documented in 'Mr Pater's Imaginary Portraits.' The collection includes prophetic reviews and those revealing biases, showcasing Wilde's wit and creativity even before…
- 049 - The Poets' Corner--III
This episode reviews Oscar Wilde's enduring literary legacy through contemporary critiques. Many reviews were prophetic, while others revealed biases, but most highlighted Wilde's wit and creativity, with his influence far exceeding initia…