"An excellent collection of some of Oscar Wilde's key works. A useful and representative selection of his writings, ideal for those not already familiar with his trademark wit or his more serious work, but equally valuable for the Wilde devotee." — newbooks magazine Poet and playwright Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) wrote sparkling comedies that were the toast of London's West End in the 1890s. The master of the witty epigram who could resist anything except temptation, Wilde was imprisoned by an unjust society and died in obscurity, but his enduring works continue to enchant readers and audiences. The Irish author's only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, appears in this splendid showcase of his philosophy and wit. Additional selections include Wilde's ever-popular comedies The Importance of Being Earnest and An Ideal Husband; his essay on aestheticism, "The Decay of Lying: An Observation"; his deeply moving prison letter, "De Profundis"; and fairy tales from A House of Pomegranates and The Happy Prince.

Selections from the ever-popular English author's works include the complete text of two of her novels, Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion, in addition to excerpts from her letters and Juvenilia.

The father of the detective novel and an innovator in American Gothic fiction, Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849) made his living as America's first great literary critic. Today he is best remembered for his short stories and poems, haunting works of horror and mystery that remain popular around the world. This anthology presents Poe's finest works in a rich selection of poetry and prose that features his only complete novel, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym. Short stories include "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," "The Pit and the Pendulum," "The Purloined Letter," "The Tell-Tale Heart," and more than a dozen others. In addition to a few selections of Poe's nonfiction writing, the compilation offers "The Conqueror Worm," "Annabel Lee," "The Raven," and many other memorable poems.

Twenty-four important works, focusing on Wilde's poetic legacy, offer important clues to themes and subjects that preoccupied this gifted writer in other works. Includes The Ballad of Reading Gaol, a powerful indictment of the degradation and inhumanity of prison life; "The Sphinx," "The Grave of Keats," "The Harlot's House," and 20 others.

Extreme Exoticism explores the role of music in shaping American perceptions of the Japanese, the influence of Japanese music on American composers, and the place of Japanese Americans in American musical life over the past 150 years.

Despite the success of The Importance of Being Earnest, Wilde is sometimes better known for his indecency trial, in which he was sentenced to two years of hard labor.

Developed by a panel of distinguished educators and librarians, The Young Adult Reader's Adviser recommends an extensive, representative, and useful list of the finest books--modern and classic, hardcover and paperback. Patterned after the Bowker classic, The Reader's Adviser, this two-volume resource features 17,000 bibliographic entries and over 850 biographical profiles. Each volume of The Young Adult Reader's Adviser is divided into two major sections. Volume One is devoted to Literature and Language Arts, and Mathematics and Computer Science. Volume Two features Social Sciences and History, and Sciences and Health. These subject areas are further divided into more than 430 subsections such as Russian Literature; Mass Media; History of Personal Computers; Ethics in Politics; and Immigration, Urbanization, and Civil Rights. Entries include detailed bibliographic information and brief descriptons, when necessary. Books especially suited for readers in grades 6-8 are noted with an asterisk.