Description
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- Author: Oscar Wilde
- Publisher: Hyweb Technology Co. Ltd.
- Published: 2011-01-25
- Pages: 370
The Happy Prince and Other Tales (快樂王子與其他故事集)
€16.95
Additional information
| Author | Oscar Wilde |
|---|
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 Tales' receives overwhelmingly positive reception across review platforms, with readers praising its depth, moral complexity, and beautiful prose. Originally published in 1888, the collection is celebrated for transcending simple children's literature to offer profound commentary on compassion, sacrifice, and social inequality. Amazon customers highlight the 'heartfelt meaning' packed into each story, with 56 mentions of strong content quality and 51 positive responses. Goodreads discussions reveal readers appreciate how the stories work on multiple levels—appearing as fairy tales to children while offering sophisticated moral lessons and social commentary to adults. Multiple reviewers note the emotional impact, with many admitting to shedding tears, particularly over stories like 'The Selfish Giant' and the title story 'The Happy Prince.' The collection's themes of selfless love, true versus false friendship, and the contrast between inner and outer beauty resonate strongly with contemporary readers. However, some readers note the stories' heavy Christian symbolism and moralizing tone, with one reviewer wishing 'every story didn't wind up as a surprise Christian parable.' The Everyman's Library edition receives specific praise for its physical quality and Charles Robinson's illustrations, though opinions on illustration styles vary across different editions.
What readers loved
- Profound moral depth and heartfelt meaning that works for both children and adults (described as 'for childlike people from eighteen to eighty')
- Beautiful, eloquent, and poetic writing style that makes stories 'a joy to read out loud'
- Emotionally powerful narratives that create lasting impact, with stories described as 'truly unforgettable'
- Sophisticated social commentary on wealth inequality, compassion, and Victorian society that remains relevant today
- Strong character development exploring themes of sacrifice, friendship, and the difference between inner and outer beauty
- High-quality physical editions, particularly the Everyman's Library version with 'glowing cloth covers' and durable construction
- Witty and humorous elements balanced with deeper themes, showcasing Wilde's characteristic sharp observations
Common critiques
- Heavy-handed Christian moralizing and religious allegories that some readers find excessive or unexpected from Wilde
- Some stories feel derivative, particularly to readers familiar with Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales ('nothing new' or 'like a deja vu')
- Certain stories like 'The Fisherman and His Soul' and 'The Birthday of The Infanta' criticized as 'long winded'
- Illustrations receive mixed reviews depending on edition—some find them 'intentionally primitive' and 'hard to get used to' rather than realistic or Art Nouveau style
- Bittersweet and sad endings may be emotionally difficult, with multiple warnings to 'expect to shed a few tears'
Based on reviews from
- Amazon US
- Amazon South Africa
- Goodreads Discussion
- Goodreads Reviews
- The StoryGraph
Reviews
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