The Wit of Oscar Wilde (2008) – Published by the Folio Society, with illustrations by Ian Archie Beck
This elegant volume, curated by Merlin Holland (Oscar Wilde’s grandson), is a celebration of Wilde’s legendary brilliance, gathering his most piercing epigrams, quips, and bon mots from plays, essays, and conversations. Organized thematically—covering art, love, society, and human folly—the book distills Wilde’s razor-sharp humor and paradoxical wisdom, from “I can resist everything except temptation” to “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
Ian Archie Beck’s illustrations elevate the text with whimsical, Art Nouveau-inspired line drawings, their playful curves and muted colors echoing the aestheticism Wilde championed. The Folio Society’s edition luxuriates in fine craftsmanship: gilt-edged pages, a cloth-bound cover, and exquisite typography that mirrors the decadence of Wilde’s era.
A treasure for bibliophiles and Wilde enthusiasts alike, this book is both a visual homage and a timeless reminder of how wit can disarm, delight, and reveal deeper truths.
