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The Trials of Oscar Wilde

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The Trials of Oscar Wilde

By: Gyles Brandreth
Narrated by: Martin Jarvis
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About this listen

 Born in Dublin in 1854 Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was educated at Oxford where he achieved a double first. His reputation as a dramatist, poet, and novelist was established in only seven years; from his first short story "The Happy Prince" to The Importance of Being Earnest in 1895. He died in Paris in 1900 ruined by a notorious libel case and two years in Reading gaol.

On 18th February 1895, the Marquess of Queensberry left a visiting card at the Albemarle Club on which he had written: "To Oscar Wilde posing as a sodomite." The accusation led to a series of three trials and the imprisonment of Wilde. This compelling dramatic recreation has been carefully compiled from the original trial transcripts.

Performed almost entirely by Martin Jarvis taking the parts of barristers, witnesses, judge, jury, and, of course, Oscar Wilde. It captures the flavour of the trials exactly.

(P)1996, 2000 CSA Telltapes Ltd. Essays Funny

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All stars
Most relevant  
Sad tale highlights the persecution of gay men in another time.
Who knows what great works Oscar Wilde would have produced were it not for his cruel treatment at the hands of the law.

Excellent

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Martin Jarvis does an incredible job bringing it to light. Short, but well worth a listen

Very engaging

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Beautifully made a must-listen, very sad and eye-opening. Everyone should listen to this. The reader does a fantastic job!!

Beautifully made a must listen

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This was superb. Martin Jarvis' reading was excellent, he varied his voice for the different characters bringing the drama to life. The story itself is compelling and shows how brutal and unjust the British Legal System can be, a trait that unfortunately is still here today with sexual and terrorism 'offences'.

Brilliant!

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it never ceases to amaze me how horrendously homosexuals were treated in the 19th and early 20th centuries. What they had to go through in court was degrading, and people went to court just to jeer at them. This book is very well put together, but pretty harrowing to read.

Very well put together

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Martin Jarvis excels himself. He vividly brings the trials to life, using the actual words of the court transcripts. He produces an astounding range of characterization to all those involved, from judges and barristers down to post office messenger boys. He is particularly good with Oscar Wilde himself, highlighting his mercurial wit, without lapsing into caricature. Well done all involved!

Astonishing performance by Martin Jarvis

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Great performance by Martin Jarvis. Very engaging. Very clear sound. I would recommend it and will listen to it again.

Excellent.

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This fascinated audiobook is worth listening alone for the masterclass Martin Jarvis gives. Each person cateful delinated. Bravo.

Martin Jarvis Brilliant

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