Thursday, March 26, 2015

Book (Play) Review- The Importance of Being Ernest

For the Play On challenge, TBR pile challenge, Audiobook challenge and Classics Club I read Oscar Wilde's classic play The Importance of Being Ernest.
I knew the story somewhat from watching the 1952 film version years ago with my mom but I didn't remember a lot of it.  I'm intrigued to watch the 2002 Colin Firth version... though I hear it isn't strictly accurate to the book.
Goodreads Synopsis- Cecily Cardew and Gwendolen Fairfax are both in love with the same mythical suitor. Jack Worthing has wooed Gewndolen as Ernest while Algernon has also posed as Ernest to win the heart of Jack's ward, Cecily. When all four arrive at Jack's country home on the same weekend the "rivals" to fight for Ernest's undivided attention and the "Ernests" to claim their beloveds pandemonium breaks loose. Only a senile nursemaid and an old, discarded hand-bag can save the day!
This play had me laughing a LOT! :) I know this is totally sacrilegious but the line "It's a divorce made in heaven" made me laugh so hard! My copious laughter was mostly due to the fact that I'm always saying "It's a match made in heaven."
Yeah, I have a low threshold of humor. ;)

Anyways.... moving on!

This is one of the funniest plays I've read (I guess the correct term is "listened to"). It's a delightful mixture of W.S. Gilbert and William Shakespeare. Oscar Wilde is so witty and the premise of the play is genius and hilarious rolled into one!
There's not much more to say on the matter but to recommend it to you for many hearty laughs! :)

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8 comments:

  1. I don't read a lot of plays but it was the funniest play I had ever read and I loved both movie versions just because they were as funny as the play. :)

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  2. This is on my Classics Club list, and I'm really excited about getting to it. I'm hoping to read and listen to an audio version (preferably with different actors/narrators) at the same time. I'm glad to hear it's as funny as its reputation says it is!

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    1. The Librivox audio version I listened to was pretty well done. It would be neat to listen to it and read it at the same time. :)

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  3. It is, it is so funny. I always imagine Leonardo di Caprio as Jack Worthing (I don't know why), and it makes the whole thing even funnier. I love the "Bunburying" part of the play. That kind of thing gets stuck in one's head.

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    1. Yes! The "Bunburying" part is hilarious! Algie is one of those people that's hilarious in fiction but probably would be very annoying in real life. :)

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  4. I love Oscar Wilde, and this one is laugh out loud I agree. Will you read more? Emma

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    1. I've Wilde's Picture of Dorian Grey, which is not at all a comedy and enjoyed it but I honestly don't know what else Oscar Wilde wrote but I would love to read more of his works because he's a great author and I've been impressed with his work so far.

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