Reviews

Lord Arthur Savile's Crime by Oscar Wilde

katykelly's review against another edition

5.0

A short story by the inimitable Wilde, and every page oozes him. You'd know his style instantly - his wit shines through.

Lord Arthur, along with all of London society, is rather taken with the palm reader who tells fortunes at an event. Unfortunately, his fortune isn't too positive - he learns he will murder someone.

Unlike most sane people though, Lord Arthur decides to get on with it, choose a victim, murder them and then get back to his fiancee. But in increasingly farcical scenarios, his intended victim(s) manage to slip through his fingers... Will he ever be able to fulfil his destiny?!

This is completely unbelievable, but very funny. Just because no sane person would take the path Lord Arthur chooses, it's a very entertaining story with a lot of wonderful Wildean lines. Dark humour abounds, it's a world away from Earnest (though closer to Dorian Gray at heart), but a lovely little read.

I did audio read this, and it was part of a 'and other stories' CD, but the others didn't really interest me. As a stand-alone, this is great, and works well as a narrated tale.

If you're a Wilde fan, you really should try this minor work as well. If you're a novice, it's a good place to start to see both he light and dark sides one of our greatest writers.

furthermoreity's review against another edition

3.5

Just a cute little murder 

robbronnie's review against another edition

4.0

Really enjoyable gothic short story, the irony is palpable. Loved it!

spomincica_a's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

has some crackers

deltus_smeltus's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

anisha_02's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

lifeindelusion's review against another edition

4.0

it’s crazy how easily this guy took what he was told at face value and simply accepted it as the ‘truth’ and went on to act upon it as if it was a fact that could not be changed, i think it says a lot about society at the time (and now, still. this holds up to today as well)

pemdas97's review against another edition

funny fast-paced

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

3.5

bluestarfish's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

It is clearly quite a beneficial thing to have a surplus of distant relatives (however unfashionable they may seem according to Lady Windermere). Especially if you have to fulfill a murderous prophesy before being able to live happily ever after. There is much absurdity to be enjoyed here. 

heatherwilson's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

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

3.75