The Ballad of Reading Gaol (original 1898; edition 1998)

It was really, really good though. Five stars good. I almost cried. I don't have a whole lot else to say about it. Apparently Reading was specifically designed to implement the separate system, so I expect Wilde probably experienced it.

Bosie's testimony is what sent him to Reading in the first place, so... the obvious interpretation is a combination of that, and maybe whatever was wrong with their relationship in the other direction that led Bosie to do that. It's possible that being in Reading under those circumstances and witnessing an execution like the one described in the poem (which he did, the poem was inspired by an execution that happened while he was there), could have combined by resonating so strongly with each other to make him feel that he was seeing a great universal truth of some kind. ( )

The pain of the author is almost too much to bear - even more so given who is suffering and why he is suffering. The injustice defies belief. ( )

One of my favorite things written, ever. ( )

Martins Deutscheablesungsprojekt faengt leicht und langsam an mit Osar Wildes "Ballade vom Zuchthaus zu Reading" (auch verdeutscht als "Ballad von Reading Gaol"). Ich mag die Sachlichkeit dieser Dichtung sehr, und Wildes abermalige Rueckkehrung nach Themen wie Schicksal und sein grimme Unausweichlichkeit. Die Feigling mordet mit ein wort, der Tapfrer mit ein--wie sagt Wilde?--allerdings, eine Schneide. ( )

Nicely illustrated edition.