A review by bibliotequeish
The Happy Prince and Other Stories by Oscar Wilde

5.0

The Happy Prince.
A beautiful statue and a long suffering swallow, set out to help the people of a small town.

The Nightingale and the Rose.
I mean if anything is going to make you hate humans its probably this story.

The Selfish Giant.
A giant wants to keep his beautiful garden all to himself.

The Devoted Friend.
Everyone hates Millers anyway

The Remarkable Rocket.
An egomaniac firecracker.

All these stories (save The Remarkable Rocket) have a theme of sacrifice.
And a sacrifice that goes unnoticed and unappreciated. (The Rocket itself goes unnoticed and unappreciated)

The Happy prince gives up his eyes to save the townsfolk, and when his jewels are gone and he is no longer a beautiful symbol of prosperity for the town, the mayor has him thrown out.

The Nightingale who gave her life for love.
When singing her final song we learn that the man is not worthy of her sacrifice.

“ it must be admitted that she has some beautiful notes in her voice. What a pity it is that they do not mean anything, or do any practical good.”

These stories were also much more religious than I was anticipating for short stories. I think the most prominent being in the Selfish Giant.

All in all this was an enjoyable book, the stories although short are deep.