A review by girgir81
The Star-Child by Oscar Wilde

4.0

My first Oscar Wilde! 

 

My Penguin Little Clothbound classics edition included: The Selfish Giant, The Birthday of the Infanta, The Happy Prince, The Nightingale and the Rose, The Devoted Friend, The Star-Child, The Fisherman and His Soul, The Young King, and The Remarkable Rocket. 

 

Since my review is a couple of months late, and I had read The Picture of Dorian Gray since, I can say I am very glad I read Wilde’s shorter works first for I think I wouldn’t have enjoyed them as much. The two works are extremely different and I found that I prefer his novel to the short stories – this is not to take anything away from the brilliance of his shorter works though; they were extremely entertaining and brilliant in their own way. 

 

What connects Oscar Wilde’s shorter and longer works is his unique storytelling style. Though often seen as children’s stories, these tales are filled with allegory, moral lessons, and social commentary that children might not fully grasp. 

 

The tales, told with captivating warmth, explore themes of heartbreak, love found and lost, redemption, sacrifice, and the triumph of good over evil. They transport us to imaginary worlds that mirror our own, offering timeless moral lessons on humanity and spirituality. 

 

In true Wilde style, his wit and sharp social commentary shine through, critiquing societal norms, materialism, and human hypocrisy in ways that feel just as relevant today. I also appreciated how the use of strong symbolism and archetypal characters reinforced the themes and messages of the stories, giving them a universal appeal that transcends their fairy-tale setting. 

 

Some friends pointed out elements they considered flaws in Wilde’s short works – such as their melancholic and tragic endings, moralizing tone, lack of nuanced characters, and unrealistic sacrifices. While I agree these elements are present, I don’t see them as weaknesses. Instead, I think they are deliberate choices that serve Wilde’s purpose. The dramatic and dark tones drive home the moral messages in a way that lingers with the reader. The lack of nuance in characters allows them to function as symbols, emphasizing the allegorical nature of the tales. Even the unrealistic sacrifices, such as the one in The Nightingale and the Rose, feel necessary to highlight the story’s message, however bittersweet it may be. 

 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed these stories. They showcase Wilde’s ability to blend beauty, melancholy, and moral reflection into short, impactful narratives. However, The Picture of Dorian Gray was an entirely different experience for me—one I loved deeply, but that’s a review for another time! If you’re new to Wilde’s work, these stories are a great starting point, offering a taste of his wit and wisdom in a more accessible, albeit different, form.