Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and Other Stories by Oscar Wilde
Author: Oscar Wilde | Published: 1891
Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and Other Stories Synopsis
Oscar Wilde’s short story collection, “Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime; The Portrait of Mr. W.H., and Other Stories,” is a masterful collection of stories that showcase Wilde’s wit, humor and literary prowess. This compilation of stories, published in 1891, is widely considered to be one of the most important works of literature from the Victorian era.
The title story of the collection, “Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime,” tells the tale of Lord Arthur Savile who is caught between his sense of duty and morality and a prophecy that predicts that he will commit a murder.
The second story in the collection, “The Portrait of Mr. W.H.,” follows Erskine who embarks on a quest to discover the identity of a mysterious man known as Mr. W.H. He is believed to be the mysterious dedicatee of the sonnets of William Shakespeare, and the narrator is determined to uncover his identity.
The remaining stories in the collection are just as engaging as the first two. “The Sphinx Without a Secret” finds Lord Arthur in a situation where he must discover the secret of a sphinx or face grave consequences. The collection also contains “The Canterville Ghost,” a humorous tale about a ghost who haunts an old English house. “The Model Millionaire” is another story that follows a young man as he discovers the joys of giving and helping others. Find out more about Lord Arthur Savile's Crime; The Portrait of Mr. W.H., and Other Stories at sevenov.com.
About Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde was an Irish playwright, poet, and novelist from the late 19th century. He wrote works that were often humorous and satirical in nature, as well as being socially critical. Wilde's wit and intellect led him to become one of the most popular writers of his time.
Wilde's most famous works include The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest. His plays are still some of the most widely produced theater pieces today. In addition to his literary works, Wilde also gained notoriety for his flamboyant lifestyle and outspoken criticism of Victorian society’s conventions. He famously quipped “To live is the rarest thing in the world; most people exist, that is all”—a testament to his nonconformist attitude towards life and artistry. Find out more about Oscar Wilde at sevenov.com.