{"product_id":"the-collected-works-of-oscar-wilde-5-books-set-the-ballad-of-reading-gaol-and-other-poems-de-profundis-the-importance-of-being-ernest-and-other-plays-paperback-oscar-wilde","title":"The Collected Works by Oscar Wilde 5 Books Collection Set Deluxe - Fiction - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTitles in This Set:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Picture of Dorian Gray\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Ballad of Reading Gaol and Other Poems\u003cbr\u003e\nDe Profundis\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Importance of Being Ernest and Other Plays\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Happy Prince and Other Stories\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Paperback\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis 5-book paperback collection brings together Oscar Wilde’s most enduring works in a single, accessible edition. Spanning gothic intensity, razor-sharp wit, intimate confession, and timeless fairy tales, it offers readers a panoramic view of Wilde’s prodigious talent. You’ll embark with The Picture of Dorian Gray, a haunting meditation on youth, beauty, and moral compromise; revel in the sparkling vaudeville of The Importance of Being Ernest and Other Plays, where social satire wears a gleeful grin; listen to the somber cadence of The Ballad of Reading Gaol and Other Poems, Wilde’s piercing reflection on justice and humanity; hear the intimate, apostolic voice of De Profundis; and discover warmth and moral clarity in The Happy Prince and Other Stories. This compact set is ideal for curious readers, students, and collectors who want a cohesive gateway into Wilde’s diverse genius. It’s a portable, affordable way to build a personal Wilde library and revisit these classics again and again, discovering new layers of meaning with each reading.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat This Collection Covers:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nAcross these five titles, Wilde moves effortlessly between genres, exposing the versatility of his craft. The collection traces a through-line from aesthetic preoccupation and moral inquiry to social satire and human empathy. The Ballad of Reading Gaol and Other Poems anchors the volume in stark, humane verse that interrogates punishment and compassion; De Profundis offers a candid, spiritual self-examination born from hardship; The Happy Prince and Other Stories distills mercy and generosity into elegant fables that resonate with readers of all ages. The Picture of Dorian Gray presents a provocative moral study about art, influence, and the cost of vanity, while The Importance of Being Ernest and Other Plays invites readers into a world where wit becomes social critique. Together, these works reveal Wilde’s unique voice—brilliant, paradoxical, and refreshingly contemporary in its concerns about beauty, truth, class, and human connection.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBook-by-Book Guide:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Picture of Dorian Gray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA haunted exploration of beauty, youth, and consequence, The Picture of Dorian Gray follows a young man whose portrait absorbs the sins he refuses to acknowledge. Wilde’s Gothic romance asks whether art should imitate life or moral life itself, and it does so with lush prose, decadent atmosphere, and a chilling portrait of unchecked desire. This installment invites readers to weigh the price of eternal youth against the integrity of the self, making it a cornerstone for discussions about aesthetics, ethics, and the allure—and danger—of living a life unbound by conscience.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Ballad of Reading Gaol and Other Poems\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA stark departure from Wilde’s stage and novel worlds, this poetry collection crystallizes themes of justice, suffering, and the human spirit. The Ballad of Reading Gaol, written during Wilde’s imprisonment, stands as a powerful indictment of cruelty and a testament to resilience. The surrounding poems expand Wilde’s range—lyrical, elegiac, and often intimate in tone—while maintaining a piercing clarity of moral vision. Readers will encounter a voice that blends lyric beauty with social conscience, offering both solace and provocation in equal measure.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDe Profundis\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nPresented as a long letter written during confinement, De Profundis is Wilde’s most personal meditation. It traverses friendship, love, guilt, spirituality, and the redemptive impulse that can emerge from suffering. The prose is contemplative and searching, revealing a man who confronts his past with honesty and humility. This work provides crucial context for Wilde’s broader oeuvre, illustrating how experience and introspection informed his humor, his empathy, and his enduring artistic courage.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Importance of Being Ernest and Other Plays\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis collection of Wilde’s beloved comedies showcases his mastery of language, timing, and social satire. The plays revel in wordplay, mistaken identities, and razor-edged satire aimed at Victorian propriety, manners, and pretensions. Through sparkling dialogue and buoyant farce, Wilde dissects class, romance, and the performative aspects of social life, offering readers a jubilant, theatrical experience that remains timeless in its charm and insight. It’s a perfect entry point for readers new to Wilde and a satisfying re-visit for seasoned fans seeking the structural precision and wit that defined his stagecraft.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Happy Prince and Other Stories\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA collection of tender, moral tales that blend fantasy with humane wisdom. The Happy Prince and the other stories enchant with beauty and sorrow, teaching sympathy, generosity, and the value of looking beyond appearances. Wilde’s warmth and clarity come through in these parables, which invite children and adults alike to consider what it means to be kind, to share, and to imagine a better world. The stories balance accessibility with emotional depth, making this set a delightful read-aloud option for families and a gentle introduction to Wilde’s storytelling artistry for young readers.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho This Set Is Perfect For:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nIdeal for literature lovers building a foundational Wilde shelf, students exploring Victorian drama and poetry, and gift buyers seeking a complete author-focused collection. This set suits classroom libraries, university reading lists, book clubs, and personal study. It appeals to fans of classic literature who appreciate wit, social satire, moral questions, and fairy-tale charm. Whether you’re revisiting Wilde’s brilliance or encountering it for the first time, this five-volume paperback set provides a rich, layered reading experience that’s accessible, portable, and endlessly re-readable.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Benefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eComprehensive five-title Wilde collection in one affordable paperback set\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eWide genre coverage: fiction, poetry, drama, and fairy tales\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eTimeless themes—beauty, ethics, satire, empathy, and humanity\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eCompact paperback format ideal for travel, study, and library shelves\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eGreat gift for lovers of classic literature and Victorian-era writing\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eEngaging entry point for students and curious readers alike\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eConsistent edition styling for a cohesive reading experience\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDurable pages and comfortable typography suitable for long reads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Author:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nOscar Wilde (1854–1900) was an Irish playwright, poet, and one of the most celebrated wits of the Victorian era. A central figure of the Aesthetic Movement, Wilde’s work blends sharp social observation with stylistic brilliance. The Picture of Dorian Gray remains a landmark of Gothic fiction, while The Importance of Being Earnest is a cornerstone of English-language comedy. Wilde’s poetry, including The Ballad of Reading Gaol, reveals a deep moral and humanist sensibility, and De Profundis offers an intimate glimpse into his inner life during imprisonment. The Happy Prince and Other Stories showcase his gift for fairy-tale storytelling that pairs beauty with moral insight. Wilde’s legacy endures in his fearless exploration of art, society, and the human spirit, making this collection a fitting tribute to a master of language and imagination.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You’ll Love This Set:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis set invites readers to experience Wilde’s astonishing range in a single, accessible package. It’s not just a compilation; it’s an invitation to explore how wit, tragedy, charm, and moral clarity can coexist within one author’s voice. Owning the full collection offers a satisfying arc—from the provocative shocks of Dorian Gray to the warmth of The Happy Prince—and provides ample material for discussion, study, and quiet, reflective reading. Whether you’re gifting a literature enthusiast or building a personal library, this five-book paperback set delivers depth, delight, and enduring relevance in a compact, durable package.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Oscar Wilde","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57112053776758,"sku":"PLD15927","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0575\/6587\/2211\/files\/71RhdG3gwqL.jpg?v=1768928799","url":"https:\/\/skymartbooks.com\/products\/the-collected-works-of-oscar-wilde-5-books-set-the-ballad-of-reading-gaol-and-other-poems-de-profundis-the-importance-of-being-ernest-and-other-plays-paperback-oscar-wilde","provider":"Skymart Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}