Reviews

The Ballad of Reading Gaol and Other Poems by Oscar Wilde

molly_vi0let's review

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challenging dark informative reflective sad slow-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

2.75

margarete's review against another edition

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3.0

titular poem is so awesome. most of the rest isn’t my cup of tea

stierwood's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

a slay

ilseoo's review against another edition

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3.0

I really loved the ballad of reading gaol as well as some of the other (shorter) poems in this collection. But, as is often the case with collections like these, there were also several poems I really disliked. These poems were just a bit too flowery for me. This is why I have settled for an overal rating of three stars.

cardcaptorkat's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

stevoreads's review against another edition

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3.0

The Ballad of Reading Gaol is absolutely incredible, it’s so emotional, impactful and beautifully written. The fact that Oscar Wilde wrote this poem whilst imprisoned at Reading Gaol himself makes it so much more heartbreaking. It gives such an insight into what he must have been going through at that time and has really accentuated what an awe inspiring man Oscar Wilde was.

However, it is only 3 stars for me as I can’t say I’m too fond of many of the other poems in this anthology:(

mxjoebest's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

2.0

victoriapiscador's review against another edition

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5.0

The Ballad of Reading Gaol is definitely one of my favourite poems. The reader follows a criminal during his last few weeks, before he receives the death penalty, through the eyes of the other inmates. The man had killed the woman he loved, but "each man kills the thing he loves", as the poem makes clear, "yet each man does not die". That bold expression surely causes some self-reflection, doesn't it?

Wilde's language isn't too complex yet it's incredibly beautiful and thought-provoking, and you can pick out almost any line and use it as a quote on its own. No review will do this justice, please just go read the poem.

thundersuckles's review

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dark inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

bjork5ever's review against another edition

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4.0

A great pocket read! And a treat to read out loud, as always with Oscar Wilde. Very interesting rhyming devices. The main poem is amazing, and is darker and more apathetic than Wilde's usual work.