THE HAPPY PRINCE AND OTHER STORIES - A unique book by Oscar Wilde

THE HAPPY PRINCE AND OTHER STORIES – A unique book by Oscar Wilde

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The Happy Prince and Other Stories (sometimes called The Happy Prince and Other Tales) is a collection of stories for children by Oscar Wilde first published in May 1888. It contains five classic stories. These are:: “The Happy Prince”, “The Nightingale and the Rose”, “The Selfish Giant”, “The Devoted Friend”, and “The Remarkable Rocket”. Each tale is beautifully told and the book contains 12 full colour plates plus numerous BnW in text illustrations which add to the beauty of the stories. This book has proved so popular that a radio drama adaption was made by Columbia Workshop was broadcast on 26 December 1936. In 1941 Orson Welles and The Mercury Theatre broadcast a version on their “Christmas Show”. Another radio version was broadcast in the Philco Radio Hall of Fame on 24 December 1944. This featured Orson Welles (narrator), Bing Crosby (as The Prince) and Lurene Tuttle as The Swallow. A record album called The Happy Prince was recorded and issued in 1946 by American Decca Records, with Orson Welles narrating and Bing Crosby as the Prince. In 1968 the Bee Gees publish the song “When the Swallows fly” with clear references to The Happy Prince tale. An animated film adaptation of the story was produced in 1974, starring Glynis Johns as the swallow and Christopher Plummer as the Prince. Adaptations have continued over the years, the most recent in 2019; Viki produced an adaption of the manga “Zattai Kareshi” by Yuu Watase. The show features numerous references to “The Happy Prince” even featuring a children’s story book of the tale. This no doubt not the end for this superb children’s book. 10% of the profit from this book will be donated to charities: =============== KEYWORDS/TAGS: The Happy Prince, Oscar wilde, Folklore, Fairy Tales, fables, childrens stories, childrens book, Nightingale and the Rose, Selfish Giant, Devoted, Friend, Remarkable, Rocket, King of the Mountains, Mountains of the Moon, Palace, Sans-Souci, Loveliest, Queen, Maids of Honour, Rich, Making Merry, Beautiful House, Beggars, Sitting, Gates, princess, Pass by, red rose, Lips, Sweet, Honey, Tree, Little Child, Little Boy, he had Loved, Green, Linnet, Hans, Garden, Russian Princess, sleigh, horses, Fireworks, King, prince, storyteller, storytelling,

  • Author: Oscar Wilde
  • Publisher: Abela Publishing Ltd
  • Published: 2020-07-05
  • Pages: 97
  • ISBN-13: 9788835857525

Additional information

Author

Oscar Wilde

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Summary

What the internet says

Aggregated insights from reviews and discussions across the web.

Overall reception: Mostly positive

Oscar Wilde's 'The Happy Prince and Other Stories' receives overwhelmingly positive reception across review platforms, with readers praising its depth, emotional resonance, and timeless moral lessons. The collection, first published in 1888, is celebrated for transcending typical children's literature through its sophisticated blend of beauty, sadness, and social commentary. Reviewers consistently note that while marketed as children's stories, these tales contain layers of meaning that resonate deeply with adult readers, addressing themes of love, sacrifice, selflessness, and the contrast between inner and outer beauty. Multiple readers describe being moved to tears, particularly by stories like 'The Happy Prince' and 'The Nightingale and the Rose.'

What readers loved

  • Packed with heartfelt meaning and profound moral lessons about love, sacrifice, and compassion without being preachy
  • Eloquent and poetic writing style that makes stories a joy to read aloud, with beautiful language and subtle wit
  • Works on multiple levels - accessible to children while containing sophisticated social commentary and satire for adults
  • Emotionally powerful and moving, with readers reporting being brought to tears by the touching narratives
  • Timeless relevance with Victorian-era social commentary that remains applicable to contemporary society
  • Each story offers distinct characters and settings while maintaining cohesive themes of true friendship versus false friendship
  • Combines lighthearted humor with deeper philosophical and sometimes religious allegories

Common critiques

  • Illustrations receive mixed reviews, with some readers finding them disappointing or not matching expectations for pre-Raphaelite or Art Nouveau style
  • Stories can be surprisingly dark and bleak with sad endings, which may be unexpected for those anticipating traditional happy fairy tales
  • Some stories feel overly long-winded, particularly 'The Fisherman and His Soul' and 'The Birthday of The Infanta'
  • Heavy-handed Christian moralizing and religious allegories in several stories may not appeal to all readers
  • Lack of originality noted by some readers familiar with Hans Christian Andersen, with characters and themes feeling derivative

Based on reviews from

  • Amazon
  • Goodreads
  • Goodreads Discussion
  • The StoryGraph
Last updated May 18, 2026 Summary based on publicly available reviews. May not reflect every reader's experience.

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