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Wilde blends his witty humor and insight with a keen observation of human behavior and ideals. Some tales entertain with whole sections you want to underline and share with others. A few of the stories are just simply beautiful with moral character that shines through. These are stories to be read and returned to when in need of laughter or smiles. ( )

Oscar Wilde does fairy tales--a kind of strange mixture.

The title story, The Happy Prince, and its successor, The Nightingale and the Rose, are a bit sorrowful and bleak. I dare say the main takeaway might be that love brings death and is much unappreciated. The Selfish Giant is an almost religious tale in which an act of kindness is rewarded...the sort of tale in which the main character does not realize who he is aiding but proves his worth by his unselfish act.

The fourth story was my favorite. The Devoted Friend is a story of exploitation in the name of friendship and hypocrisy. I could imagine Wilde basing it on his on personal experience.

The final story seemed to be a study in pomposity, another subject Wilde knew a bit about.

His signature wit surfaced from time to time.

After the seven years were over he had said all that he had to say, for his conversation was limited.

And

’What is a sensitive person?’ said the Cracker to the Roman Candle. ‘A person who, because he has corns himself, always treads on other people’s toes,’ answered the Roman Candle in a low whisper…

The stories are cynical, with Wilde poking fun at himself, society, and possibly Aesop’s Fables. I doubt he would have enjoyed his current reputation if this had been all he had written, but as an addition to his works, they are interesting enough.


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89/8-Φοβερά παραμύθια , που όσο απλοϊκά κι αν φαίνονται μιλούν για τη ζωή , τη φιλία , την αγάπη, το σεβασμό, το εγωισμό με τρόπο αξιοθαύμαστο.
"Σ΄ένα σπίτι που υπάρχει μια σκληρή καρδιά , πάντα θα υπάρχει παγωνιά" ( )

I've read all these stories a long time ago and recall enjoying them, but somehow this time I found them too spiritual, too devout and decidedly harrowing. It appears a young person can appreciate stories of sacrifice and pathos more than a pragmatic adult. I always found the story of the nightingale the most heartbreaking, even more so than the others. However, Wilde is without question a superb writer and while I recognize that, I would hesitate presenting these traumatic stories to a child. ( )