Son of Oscar Wilde

Rating:
Summary: A Childhood in Exile
Review: By now, the story of Oscar Wilde's glorious rise and tragic fall are well-known. But most readers are unfamiliar with the story of how Wilde's wife and two sons were affected by his fall from grace. "Son of Oscar Wilde" is a beautifully written and poignant account of how a young boy's life was afected by his father's notoriety. Like his father, Holland carefully avoids self-pity in describing his life's events and still manages to convey a sense of loss and disorientation which is most heartwrenching. Holland's recollections of his father are priceless, and the book is an essential volume for anyone interested in Wilde the personality. Amazon.com was able to find a copy of this book for me in no time at all, and at a very reasonable price.

Rating:
Summary: Father and Son
Review: For more than 20 years Oscar Wilde has been one of my favourite author, perhaps the favourite author. Because the life was taken away from him he could not wrote all the plays, poems and stories I want so much to read, so I have read his works over and over again. Each time I find something new/something to enjoy; partly it is his wonderful point of view, partly his good sense of humour. For a long time I have been aware of his downfall, but don't know what exactly happened until recently. I also knew that he was married and that he and his wife had two sons, and sometimes I revolved in my mind: What happened to them? Where did they go? So when I found the book Son of Oscar Wilde at Amazon.com I bought it immediately. This is a beautiful book by man who knew and loved his father, but suddenly his father was no longer taken place in his life. Why? It took him more than ten years to let himself to try to find the answer. In this book he tells the world how. Everybody who like Wilde's works, love an honesty, are interested in the Victorian time or want to try to understand the consequences of hate should do themselves the favour to read Son of Oscar Wilde. Vyvyan Holland wrote: ..."my father's character was his great humanity, his love of life and of his fellow-men, his sympathy with suffering. He was the kindest and gentles of men, an he hated to see anyone suffer." After reading Son of Oscar Wilde I do believe this is also the description of his son. Vyvyan Holland died in the year 1968 so I will not get the opportunity to thank him for his book, nor can I thank his father for all the good times he have gave me, but both, father and son, deserved my thanks.