The Importance of Being Earnest (An Authoritative Text Edition of a Great Play)

Wilde, Oscar, and Popkin, Henry (Critical Material Selected and Introduced by)

ISBN 10: 0380012774 / ISBN 13: 9780380012770

Published by Bard / Avon Books., New York., 1965

About this Item

Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. 158 p. Bibliography. Audience: General/trade. Drama: The text of 19th century Ireland-born author Oscar Wilde's classic play is supplemented by commentary by George Bernard Shaw, Max Beerbohm, ans St John Hankin; Wilde's letters; and selections also from the 4-act version. Fine. Crisp bright text pages. Clean. Slight cover wear. 1 0.0.

Seller Inventory # Alibris.Dr0030005945

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Importance of Being Earnest (An Authoritative Text Edition of a Great Play)
• Publisher: Bard / Avon Books., New York.
• Publication Date: 1965
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0380012774
• ISBN 13: 9780380012770
• Binding: Mass-market paperback
• Illustrator: Tsao, Alex (Cover illustration by)
• Edition: 10th printing.

About this title

Synopsis

The full text of Oscar Wilde's beloved comedy of manners, including exclusive commentary, selections from Wilde's correspondence, and excerpts from the original four-act version.

The Importance of Being Earnest shows a full measure of Oscar Wilde's legendary wit, and embodies more than any of his other plays his decency and warmth. 

This edition contains substantial excerpts from the original four-act version which was never produced, as well as the full text of the final three-act version, selections from Wilde's correspondence, and commentary by George Bernard Shaw, Max Beerbohm, St. John Hankin, and James Agate.

“It is exquisitely trivial, a delicate bubble of fancy and it has its philosophy; that we should treat all trivial things of life seriously, and all the serious things of life with sincere and studied triviality.” –Oscar Wilde

About the Author

Born in Ireland in 1856, Oscar Wilde was a noted essayist, playwright, fairy tale writer and poet, as well as an early leader of the Aesthetic Movement. His plays include: An Ideal Husband, Salome, A Woman of No Importance, and Lady Windermere's Fan. Among his best known stories are The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Canterville Ghost.