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Monday 3 February 2020

The Importance of being Earnest

So yesterday night, I had one hour spare before my usual bed time and had to travel to work early today. You know how we bookoholics don't have much grasp of time when we read. And as I am too guilty of finishing of the books at the cost of my sleep, I decided to pick a book, that is short and already read by me once, but wanna reread again.

Tada ...Raided  Husband's shelf and got The Importance of being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.  A wicked, funny classic that stole my heart when I read it first during my college days. Though 30+ old me found the girls bit dumb, but I understand that humour in story demands that.


Set in three acts, this classic comedy is light hearted, funny read that will bring a smile to your face. Also, please don't miss, how Oscar Wilde touches the issues like Classism, pedigree, parentage, Arrange marraiges, etc prevalent at that time without coming heavy on them. The most funny humour is generated vide the  paradoxical virtues that are celebrated and considered high in esteem while in real life they are looked down upon. For example Cecily's infatuation with Earnest, the supposedly Bad brother of her uncle Jack, Or the confrontation of Jack by Lady Bracknell when he proposed to Gwendolen.

Lastly like all classics, The Importance of being Earnest, still will rule the heart of Book lovers with its clean humour, funny premise and desperation of two heroes to win their lady love.

My Verdict - Always an Evergreen Classic

Memorable Quotes -

The book is a gem, with funny quotes and phrases at every page.And this post would be insufficient to quote all my favourite phrases, so I picked these  that seemed too wise, apt and funny and bit relevant now also- 

"I really don’t see anything romantic in proposing.  It is very romantic to be in love.  But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal.  Why, one may be accepted.  One usually is, I believe.  Then the excitement is all over.  The very essence of romance is uncertainty.  If ever I get married, I’ll certainly try to forget the fact."

"I am sick to death of cleverness.  Everybody is clever nowadays.  You can’t go anywhere without meeting clever people.  The thing has become an absolute public nuisance.  I wish to goodness we had a few fools left."

Available at - Almost every good book store, free of cost online at Project Gutenburg, Hard/ Soft copy at Amazon, Crossword, Flipkart.


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