Original Title: The Importance of Being Ernest
Year Published: 1895
Published by: Oyster
Number of Pages: 58
First Sentence:
Goodreads Rating: 3/5
Plot:
The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People is a play by Oscar Wilde. First performed in 1895, the play is a satire of Victorian culture and social obligations. This play is witty and funny and is the most popular and enduring of Oscar Wilde’s plays.
My thoughts:
I have a feeling that I would have enjoyed this much more if I had seen it instead of reading it. Plays are always difficult to read because sometimes a play is only good when performed. I still liked reading this though, but I can’t say it was a great read. It is quick, only 58 pages long, so it takes no time reading it.
What is it about then? Two sort of rich young men, both having created a person they use to get away from certain obligations in life. Jack, has created a brother called Ernest. For some reason the young lady he is in love with thinks his name is Earnest (I was really confused about this btw) and pretty much only accepts his marriage proposal because she thinks Earnest is such a great name.
Algy has created a sickly friend but mocks Jack when he finds out that his brother Earnest is not real. He travels to Jack’s country house after finding out that he has a young ward, Cecily. He falls in love immediately when he meets her. She, however, thinks he is Earnest, because he introduced himself as such, and pretty much also will only marry him because of the name. Yadda yadda, blah blah blah.
Miscommunication is a b**ch. Don’t lie. Be honest.
It did have its funny moments and it is probably really funny when watching it. Reading it wasn’t to inspiring.
Do I recommend it?
Well… sure why not? It is not bad, it just isn’t fantastic. Btw, you can get it for free over at Amazon, so if you want to read it, go fetch!
rickusbookshelf.wordpress.com 
I just saw this on Kayla’s blog too. I LOVE this play. One of my favorites. When you see the play, it comes alive, and it is hilarious. I enjoy reading it on the page so much more because I have experienced it on stage. Hopefully you will have the opportunity one day to see it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We both have it for uni 😀 I did like it and giggled at parts of it, and there were so many amazing quotes in it, but I just found myself being a ball of frustration when it came to the characters. Maybe I have grown bitter in my old days, but I have problems with the kind of love that was in this play (that was what made it bad for me). But yeah, I do think I might really enjoy it if I see it produced by a good cast and company 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah…so you are reading Gatsby next too then. I am interested to hear how you like it. I enjoyed it, but I am definitely a “surface reader.” My brain (math/science) has difficulty digging into author’s “deeper meanings.” I actually spent most of my High School English career wondering if authors intentionally meant the hidden meanings my classmates were finding in the books, or if it was purely coincidental. Simply the reader projecting a deeper meaning into the author’s words on the page.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have actually already read Gatsby in upper secondary so I will only flip through it. But I did like it. I mean, Daisy is a vapid and vain little doll, and Gatbsy a moron, but otherwise I actually liked it. All the symbolismen that Fitzgerald managed to write into it and the layers he managed were really amazing to discover. I do believe that Fitzgerald meant all of his wholeheartedly and it’s not something that fancy critics believe is there 😀 Which they do have a tendency to believe 😛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Without Cliffs Notes I would have never passed English. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually like reading and analysing books, but I have found that sometimes Spark Notes/ Cliff Notes can be lifesavers! They saved me recently as I did not have time to finish Jane Eyre for class (procrastination will be my legacy).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this book ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person