{"title":"Matthew Sturgis","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMatthew Sturgis\u003c\/strong\u003e is an acclaimed British writer, historian, and biographer renowned for his meticulously researched and engaging works. He has a particular talent for bringing historical figures to life, offering readers insightful and compelling narratives that delve deep into the lives and times of his subjects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of his most celebrated works is \u003cem\u003eOscar\u003c\/em\u003e, a comprehensive biography of the iconic playwright and poet Oscar Wilde. In this book, Sturgis combines his scholarly expertise with a captivating storytelling style to offer a definitive account of Wilde's extraordinary life, his literary achievements, and his dramatic downfall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMatthew Sturgis’s books are perfect for readers who appreciate detailed historical accounts and keen insights into the lives of influential figures. Whether you are a history aficionado or simply enjoy well-crafted biographies, you will find his work both informative and fascinating.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"oscar","title":"Oscar","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first major biography of Oscar Wilde in thirty years, \u003ci\u003eOscar\u003c\/i\u003e by Matthew Sturgis, stands as the definitive account of Wilde's extraordinary life and times. This meticulously researched biography paints a vivid portrait of the legendary wit, playwright, and aesthete, capturing the paradoxes and complexities that defined his existence. From his meteoric rise to fame as a beloved figure of London's literary circles to his tragic fall from grace, Sturgis chronicles Wilde’s journey with a blend of scholarly rigour and narrative flair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNOMINATED FOR THE WOLFSON HISTORY PRIZE 2019\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Book of the Year, perhaps of the decade\u003c\/i\u003e - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eTLS\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSimply the best modern biography of Wilde... A terrific achievement\u003c\/i\u003e - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eEvening Standard\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003ePage-turning... Vivid and desperately moving. However much you think you know Wilde, this book will absorb and entertain you\u003c\/i\u003e - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Sunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e Books of the Year\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOscar Wilde's life – like his wit – was alive with contradictions. A pioneer and victim of 'celebrity culture', Wilde was equally celebrated and scorned in society. Despite his comic genius, he pursued tragedies; though an unabashed snob, he relished unmasking societal flaws. Known for his disdainful dandyism, Wilde was also capable of profound kindness. While he deeply loved his wife and children, he harboured passionate relationships with men, culminating in his ill-fated romance with Lord Alfred Douglas, which ultimately led to his legal troubles and downfall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSturgis delves into Wilde's paradoxical nature, illustrating how Wilde mocked authority yet sought legal validation for his love, revelled in public adoration yet died in near solitude. Wilde's defiance against the social and sexual norms of his era endears him to those who champion individuality and nonconformity. This engaging biography is enriched by new material and research, vividly bringing to life the distinctive characters and atmosphere of the fin de siècle. Through Sturgis' masterful storytelling, \u003ci\u003eOscar\u003c\/i\u003e offers the most compelling and richly detailed portrait of Wilde to date, showcasing a man who continues to inspire and challenge societal conventions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45706718314732,"sku":"9781803284347","price":32.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781803284347.jpg?v=1725891022"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/matthew-sturgis.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}