A Woman of No Importance, Oscar Wilde
A Woman of No Importance, Oscar Wilde
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A Woman of No Importance

Author: Oscar Wilde

Narrator: Martin Jarvis, Peter Dennis, Jim Norton, Robert Machray, Paul Gutrecht, Miriam Margolyes, Jane Carr, Judy Geeson, Cherie Lunghi, Samantha Mathis, Rosalind Ayres

Unabridged: 1 hr 46 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/01/2001


Synopsis

Devilishly attractive Lord Illingworth is notorious for his skill as a seducer. But he is still invited to all the “best” houses while his female conquests must hide their shame in seclusion. In this devastating comedy, Wilde uses his celebrated wit to expose English society’s narrow view of everything from sexual mores to Americans.

An L.A. Theatre Works full-cast performance featuring Rosalind Ayres, Jane Carr, Peter Dennis, Judy Geeson, Paul Gutrecht, Martin Jarvis, Cherie Lunghi, Robert Machray, Miriam Margolyes, Samantha Mathis and Jim Norton.

About Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin on October 16, 1854. He excelled at Trinity College in Dublin from 1871 to 1874, eventually winning a scholarship to Magdalene College in Oxford, which he entered in 1875. The biggest influences on his development as an artist at this time were Swinburne, Walter Pater, and John Ruskin.

In 1875, Wilde began publishing poetry in literary magazines. In 1876 he found himself back in Ireland when the death of his father left the family with several debts. Wilde continued writing poetry in earnest, and in 1878, he won the coveted Newdigate Prize for English poetry. He soon left Oxford to build himself a reputation among the literati in London.

During the 1880s, Wilde established himself as a writer, poet, and lecturer, but above all as a "professor of aesthetics." In 1884, he married Constance Lloyd in London. Sons soon followed: Cyril in 1885 and Vyvyan in 1886. During these years, Wilde worked as a journalist and reviewer, while also continuing with his other writing of poetry and plays. In 1890 he published his well-known story The Picture of Dorian Gray. The early 1890s were the most intellectually productive and fruitful time for Wilde. Some of his most familiar plays-including Lady Windemere's Fan and Salome-were written and performed upon the London stages. In 1893 Wilde produced A Woman of No Importance and An Ideal Husband, followed in 1894 by The Importance of Being Earnest.

Wilde's life took a turn for the worst when, in May 1895, he was convicted of engaging in homosexual acts, which were then illegal, and sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labor. He soon declared bankruptcy, and his property was auctioned off. In 1896, Wilde lost legal custody of his children. When his mother died that same year, his wife Constance visited him at the jail to bring him the news. It was the last time they saw each other. In the years after his release, Wilde's health deteriorated. In November 1900, he died in Paris at the age of forty-six.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Wiebke (1book1review) on May 02, 2015

This was just perfect. What else could I say? The writing and wit of Oscar Wilde is just admirable and hilarious. The adaptations on this audiobook made them come to live and it was so much fun listening I often forgot I was not alone but felt like part of the audience in the theater. I recommend thi......more

Goodreads review by Jordan on February 13, 2022

100000/10 oscar wilde is my king read all his works and even my not so favourites are top tier gonna make a shrine for him if i could have dinner w anyone dead or alive itd be him starting a fan club......more

Goodreads review by Paul on January 16, 2023

Pure enjoyment! Each work plays for about an hour and a half. Here is the list: A woman of no importance (1893): Chapter 1 (brief intro) -- Chapter 11 (closing credits). Interview with Wilde's grandson and author Merlin Holland: Chapter 12 (12:35). An ideal husband (1895): Chapter 13 (brief intro) -- C......more

Goodreads review by Iulian on July 06, 2019

"All art is quite useless" It is hard to judge a writer by the entirety of his writings, especially when one such as Oscar Wilde has written novels, short novels, long and short stories, plays, all array of poems and essays. He is regarded as a classical writer, one of the greats, but as a matter of......more

Goodreads review by Geeta on September 20, 2015

listening to audio book - (1)A woman of no importance (2)An ideal husband (3)Lady Windermere's fan (4)The importance of being Earnest (5)The picture of Dorian Gray Oscar Wilde writing always wins best rating. Witty, entertaining...and the audio book was very well read.......more