Reviews

What a delightfully eccentric play! I can count on one hand the number of times such a light-hearted drama has had such an impact on my sentiments. The interactions between Jack and Algernon were initially perplexing I will admit, but it only took a few dialogue exchanges to clarify the direction in which Wilde was going to take the play. Each character was an example of flaws in the society of the time, with Gwendolen and Cecily demonstrating the fickle nature of affection, Lady Bracknell embodying mercenary marriage and Algernon and Jack personifying indulgence and selfishness over responsibility and morality. Considering the grim collection of archetypes gathered within its pages, you’d think ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ would be a condemning work of fiction, but one cannot forget its author. Wilde mocks aristocratic manners and high society by emphasising their true superficiality. Reading the play is like reading a summary of a novel instead of the whole thing. What would normally be termed ‘filler’ has been left out, so what we read is blunt and unacceptably honest. One would never have overheard a conversation like Gwendolen and Cecily’s for example, when they first meet, because such terms of address were not socially acceptable and could significantly damage one’s reputation. The play is made up of moments such as these and that is what makes it so fascinating and so entertaining. An audience would not only be exposed to a glimpse of the inner workings of high society but to a mockery of them.

benuathanasia's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

belleoftheb00ks's review against another edition

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funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

mint_choco4's review against another edition

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funny informative lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

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