The Importance of Being Earnest

Format read: paperbackReading time: 2 hoursTags: Victorian, romance, comedy, misunderstandings, marriage plotOwn a copy: yesReread likelihood: 1o/10“Never speak disrespectfully of society, Algernon. Only people who can't get into it do that.” -Lady Bracknell, Act IISummaryJohn “Jack” Worthing is a country gentlemen who pretends to be someone he's not; a miscreant fictional brother by the name of Ernest. His good friend Algernon Moncrieff is an idle gentleman from London who creates a fictional invalid named Bunbury to escape from his social duties. Jack falls in love with Algernon's cousin, Gwendolen, who believes him to be named Ernest, and Algernon falls for Jack's ward, Cecily, who also believes him to be named Ernest. The matriarch of the play, Lady Bracknell, refuses to allow these unions for a variety of silly and shallow reasons rooted in High Society norms. Hijinks ensue.ReviewI'm a Wilde fan; [b:The Picture of Dorian Gray 5297 The Picture of Dorian Gray Oscar Wilde https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546103428l/5297.SY75.jpg 1858012] is my absolute favourite, and I've read his short stories and plays too. I read The Importance of Being Earnest some years ago and I liked it then, but I had forgotten how witty and laugh-out-loud funny it is. Wilde is a genius with his quick jabs and blatant mockery of high society. At first glance, this play seems like nothing more than just a typical romantic comedy, but it is in fact a much more important social commentary on the ridiculousness of social norms and expectations. Lady Bracknell is a tour de force in this play. Although all the characters are clever and funny, Lady Bracknell is the true source of entertainment in this play.Go read Oscar Wilde! He's fantastic.