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Stephen Fry Presents: Oscar Wilde's Stories For All Ages
- Volume 1
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 2 hrs and 13 mins
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Publisher's Summary
What listeners say about Stephen Fry Presents: Oscar Wilde's Stories For All Ages
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 09-17-12
Unexpected
Would you listen to Stephen Fry Presents a Selection of Oscar Wilde's Short Stories again? Why?
I'm not sure if I would listen again. I love listening to Stephen Fry, regardless of what he's reading, really. But the tone of this collection of short stories left me in a peculiar mood. I was not very familiar with much of Wilde's work, I have read one or two plays, but never his stories like these. They were fable-like, contained lots of moral lessons...but not in your usual bedtime story or fairytale manner. They were portrayed in a very cynical, pessimistic, sometimes almost defeated sounding way. If the author wrote them intending a commentary on the degradation of society and drowning out of innocent good in the world, lost to pompery and selfishness, he succeeded in sharing his disillusionment.
What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?
They were interesting to me because they made me experience a new emotional reaction, and a memorable one because it defied my expectations. Every one of the stories had incredible imagery, and painted scenes more real and often more heart-wrenching than your average short-story. Though they contained vivid characters, both noble and ridiculous, and good stories, they left me feeling a little unfulfilled in their conclusions because though the plots formed and progressed and ended, for the most part they don't follow a satisfying pattern of problems being solved, protagonists succeeding, antagonists becoming enlightened and changing their ways, and good triumphing over evil.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Really, every story moved me, but the two that have struck me the most and pulled at my heart-strings still, days and days after listening, were the moments of the self-sacrifice of the birds in both "The Happy Prince" and "The Nightingale and The Rose", both for the good of a man/mankind, and both unappreciated by the world.
24 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- ali
- 05-09-12
curl up for an evening in
If you could sum up Stephen Fry Presents a Selection of Oscar Wilde's Short Stories in three words, what would they be?
warm, heartfelt, thoughtprovoking
Have you listened to any of Stephen Fry’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
Just as excellent as every else he has done. (yes I am a Fry fan!)
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
no, this is a treat to dip into
Any additional comments?
This was a lovely listen, perfect for a cool winter's night to cuddle up and listen to the mesmerising voice of Stephen Fry. The imagery is beautiful and there is always a sting to make you think. It is like having a favourite uncle read to you.
8 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Christopher
- 09-21-13
An excellent listen
It's always special to listen to Stephen Fry read. It's extra special when he reads something that he himself loves and he loves Oscar Wilde.
This is a collection of very entertaining children stories. I'm not sure if we would consider these 'children stories' today but like Grimm's fairy tales they were at least intended to be for children when they were written.
7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kevin
- 01-24-17
Bedtime Stories for Adults
I listen to a story every night before going to bed and it is just a pleasure to listen to Stephen Fry bringing life into Wilde's beautiful works.
Recommended for anyone who loves depth and emotion, humor and wit, profundity and triviality, and above all, a great story.
5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nancyh8
- 07-06-17
Oscar Wilde's Short Stories
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Absolutely! It is awesome, done by Stephen Fry, and the stories hold your interest to the last.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Stephen Fry Presents a Selection of Oscar Wilde's Short Stories?
When the little fellow does all of the good deeds for the selfish man and he has no appreciation at all. Still the little has no animosity and goes on to the end doing good deeds.
Have you listened to any of Stephen Fry’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
Yes! Sherlock Holmes. Nothing compares to Stephen Fry' rendition of Sherlock Holmes!
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes, it was very short. You could read it to a child for a bedtime story.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Natalie
- 11-04-13
Literary Perfection
What did you love best about Stephen Fry Presents a Selection of Oscar Wilde's Short Stories?
The perfect marriage of narrator and story telling.
What other book might you compare Stephen Fry Presents a Selection of Oscar Wilde's Short Stories to and why?
The Bible meets The Wind In The Willows. This collection of stories is quite full of lessons on the beauty of love & vanity cloaked in children's stories.
Which scene was your favorite?
The Happy Prince - the sacrifice of true love.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
2 stories illicit tears.
Any additional comments?
If Oscar Wilde were alive he would be Stephen Frye.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jane
- 10-25-21
Wish I knew about these long ago
Valuable lessons buried in beautifully written little tales. Audible wants more words. Funny that you can submit a review with no words, but if you choose to use words you must use at least fifteen. Really, Audible, that's just nonsense.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dina Fiman
- 12-25-18
Fantastic
Wilde's bittersweet legends are filled with beauty, gentle humor, and human and social themes. Fry's reading is spectacular.
The only problem is that the last second or so of every story is cut off.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kattia
- 04-29-16
Fry is fantastic
I did not enjoy was the fast change from one story to the next
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Melissa
- 01-22-10
Fantastic for the whole family!
These stories are fabulous for trips, sparking lots of family conversations. Stephen Fry is terrific as the haughty miller!
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Tim
- 03-05-11
More than just kid's stories..
Having seen the other reviews, I was wary of this product & thought it may prove to be a flat note in Stephen Fry's/ Oscar Wilde's repertoire. Happily both were on top form with Oscar Wilde writing some devilishly clever stories, with his protegee Stephen Fry giving just the right voice to do them justice.
All in all, there are 6 stories (including a story-within-a-story) at 15- 30 minutes a piece, so they are manageable in a long car journey/ walk. They are as follows:
1) The Devoted Friend
2) The Happy Prince
3) The Nightingale and the Rose
4) The Remarkable Rocket
5) The Selfish Giant
6) The Young King
With all the stories I was expecting them to be either old fashioned or babyish. Fortunately they are neither & you can see why Fry says on the back cover that 'I do not mind admitting that at the recording some passages were hard to read out loud without choking'.
Like the 'Stephen Fry Presents - Short Stories by Anton Chekhov', though, I have the same nagging grievance - why is it only 6 stories & 2 hours 14 minutes of material? Fair enough that Wilde wrote few short stories, but a double album with the Chekhov stuff (or better still with some of Wilde's under-rated poetry) would have made a much more desirable product.
That said, I can think of few instances where a great narrator has been so perfectly matched with an author. Wilde & Fry are very much cut from the same cloth & Fry has even made a film playing his doupelganger.
The only thing I can think of comparable to this pairing is that of Dawkins reading Darwin on 'On The Origin of Species' & I wonder why it is not done more often.
Can anyone imagine The Queen reading 'Queen Victoria's Journals', or Terry Pratchett reading 'The Lord of the Rings'? It would give a whole new meaning to the phrase 'bringing a book to life'...
18 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Wendy
- 02-01-09
A family favourite
These short, but entertaining, stories are a big hit with both my 'near teenage' son and my 20 year old daughter. Stephen's voice is, as always, a pleasure to listen to; and the stories are both entertaining and engaging.
I recommend this for a car journey where you want everyone to just calm down.
12 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Lauren
- 08-22-09
Simply Delicious
I could not help crying as I heard the story of the Selfish Giant, and the voice of Stephen Fry reading the story simply made the entire listening experience delicious. It is a guilty pleasure of mine to listen to a wee bedtime story, and this audiobook is the perfect thing for a sleepy-head. For children and adults alike. As I say, it is simply delicious.
7 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Gustav
- 06-17-12
Oscar Wilde + Stephen Fry = Truth
How could you possibly go wrong when you combine Oscar Wilde and Stephen Fry? They were made for each other!
I don't like short story compendiums very much, so the fact that I gave this a 4 is a good rating. (5 are reserved for books that truly moves me.)
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Ian
- 02-10-11
Fry brings Wilde to life
That these stories were written by Wilde for his own children just makes them all the more special. Stephen Fry narrates them with his usual inimitable style and charm and really brings them to life.
The story that stood out for me was the tale of The Happy Prince. Hearing it again brought back memories of it being read to me in school assembly and it was read with such tenderness by Fry it is hard not to feel emotional as the narrative progresses.
I had downloaded the book to listen to with my daughter as she went to sleep but I stayed listening long after she had dropped off. Highly recommended.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Donna
- 01-12-10
A gem of an audiobook for young & old alike !
Exceptionally narrated by Stephen Fry, these classic Oscar Wilde stories which include "The Unfriendly Giant" and the "The Happy Prince" reminds us of the need for giving to those who are not as fortunate as ourselves, and to embrace those who appear different and show them kindness and love. A great moral builder for children, and reminder for us adults. A gem of an audiobook!
2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- struggling
- 05-05-18
Should be perfect but ...
Stephen's reading is a joy, Oscar Wilde's words are glorious and the two together should be worth far more than 5 stars. Why do I only give it 4 stars, then? As anyone in the production process of writing or film could tell you, the skill or otherwise of the editing can create or ruin the work. Unskilful, insensitive editing which leaves not a single moment between chapters to savour the delicate blend of writer and performer spoils what should be as near a perfect experience as is possible.
Please, please can this be re-edited, so that listeners can experience this the way it should be.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs M.
- 04-10-21
Mind blowing!
These stories are incredible, I have never heard of them before and so pleased I took a chance on this. Stephen Fry does a fantastic job as always, bringing the characters to life with such skill.
The only criticism is that the chapters start too quickly after the end of the one before. The stories give a lot of food for thought, so it’s uncomfortable to hear the next chapter loudly announced, barely a single breath from the conclusion of the final, often all important, sentence of the story!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- James Field
- 01-03-21
A world of pure imagination.
I absolutely loved listening to this! Such a good podcast indeed! Stephen Fry = my guy!
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Yvonne
- 09-26-19
Depressing!
This was not my cup of tea perhaps. Sad stories although performance was very good.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 09-11-19
Brilliance
the beauty and sadness of Oscar's penmanship teamed with Stephens characteristic narration..... oooh damn yeah
1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Bonita
- 02-28-15
Classic but depressing tales.
Fry is excellent in his presentation. The stories themselves... certainly not for those looking for a 'happily ever after' tale.
1 person found this helpful
