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The Importance of Being Earnest
- Narrated by: J.D. Kelly
- Length: 2 hrs and 33 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Classics
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Publisher's Summary
The Importance of Being Earnest is a play by Oscar Wilde. First performed on February 14th 1895 at the St James's Theatre in London, it is a farcical comedy in which the protagonists maintain fictitious personæ to escape burdensome social obligations. Working within the social conventions of late Victorian London, the play's major themes are the triviality with which it treats institutions as serious as marriage, and the resulting satire of Victorian ways. Some contemporary reviews praised the play's humour and the culmination of Wilde's artistic career, while others were cautious about its lack of social messages. Its high farce and witty dialogue have helped make The Importance of Being Earnest Wilde's most enduringly popular play.
The successful opening night marked the climax of Wilde's career but also heralded his downfall. The Marquess of Queensberry, whose son Lord Alfred Douglas was Wilde's lover, planned to present the writer with a bouquet of rotten vegetables and disrupt the show. Wilde was tipped off and Queensberry was refused admission. Their feud came to a climax in court, where Wilde's homosexuality was revealed to the Victorian public and he was sentenced to imprisonment. Despite the play’s early success, Wilde’s notoriety caused the play to be closed after 86 performances. After his release from prison, he published the play from exile in Paris, but he wrote no further comic or dramatic work.
What listeners say about The Importance of Being Earnest
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- CuteAsADaisy
- 01-15-19
Just as much fun as the movie!
The narrator does a great job reading and acting out the script... love the accent! If you liked the movie this is definitely one you'll enjoy. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Shannon G
- 01-06-19
English Comedy is Wonderful!
This is the first time I've listened to this play. I have heard it referred to through the years and when this book came up I jumped at the chance to see what all the fuss was about. I loved it. It is just as the blurb said, a farcical comedy. This was an easy listen and had me chuckling throughout. The narration was well done. Each character had their own voice with proper emotions. Overall, a really enjoyable listen. I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.