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Review
Praise for Constance
(--- )'moving, indeed disturbing, biography...her biography is long overdue and the wounding drama sweeps all before it' **** (Daily Express )
'[A] diligently observed book...this sensitive biography, at last, does her justice' (Sunday Times )
'Franny Moyle has read far more of Constance's letters than I have, and her book now replaces and sometimes corrects, the earlier ones on Mrs Wilde by Anne Clark Amor and Joyce Bentley...presents a full portrait of an intelligent, committed young woman trying to make an independent life for herself in a London still dominated by men...Franny Moyle tells the poignant story of Constance in the aftermath of Wilde's trials and imprisonment, and of her brave attempts to keep in contact with him despite her suffering' (Irish Times )
'A sympathetic and fascinating biography' (Independent on Sunday )
Praise for Desperate Romantics Franny Moyle's book on the Pre-Raphaelites: (--- )
Riveting . . . Moyle captures vividly the texture and colour of this vital world
(Independent on Sunday )Powerful, absorbing and, well, rather jolly
(Sunday Times )'An utterly gripping read'
(Sunday Express )
Product Description
In the spring of 1895 the life of Constance Wilde changed irrevocably. Up until the conviction of her husband, Oscar, for homosexual crimes, she had held a privileged position in society. Part of a gilded couple, she was a popular children's author, a fashion icon, and a leading campaigner for women's rights. A founding member of the magical society the Golden Dawn, her pioneering and questioning spirit encouraged her to sample some of the more controversial aspects of her time. Mrs Oscar Wilde was a phenomenon in her own right.
But that spring Constance's entire life was eclipsed by scandal. Forced to flee to the Continent with her two sons, her glittering literary and political career ended abruptly. Having changed her name, she lived in exile until her death.
Franny Moyle now tells Constance's story with a fresh eye and remarkable new material. Drawing on numerous unpublished letters, she brings to life the story of a woman at the heart of fin-de-siècle London and the Aesthetic movement. In a compelling and moving tale of an unlikely couple caught up in a world unsure of its moral footing, she uncovers key revelations about a woman who was the victim of one of the greatest betrayals of all time.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have to admit that I knew very little about Constance Wilde before reading this book, other than, of course, that she was Oscar Wilde's wife. However, I came to appreciate her as a strong woman, who did suffer but who always tried to do the right thing and fought hard to protect her sons.
Constance had a difficult upbringing. Her brother Otho, who she adored, was older than her and she was left with a widowed mother who both verbally and physically abused her. When her mother re-married, Constance went to live with her fathers family, but her early experiences made her withdrawn and shy. Oscar Wilde's family knew hers in Ireland, and so the connection was there from a young age. Constance idolised Oscar, although it is telling that letters from Constance to Otho crossed each other - Constance announcing her engagement at the same time that Otho attempted to warn her about a 'worrying story' he had heard. So, even in those very early days, alarm bells may have been sounding that Oscar may not have been the "ideal husband", although Constance refused to listen to the story and so we can only imagine what warning Otho wished to give.
By this point though, Constance was beyond any warnings or worries and marriage led to her being more outlandish, while Oscar became more conventional. She seemed to gain confidence and took up causes and a new social life with enthusiasm. Constance was a great believer in women wearing more sensible clothing and she was seen as fashionable, although sometimes too daring in her dress. Early marriage was passionate and Constance was expecting her first baby only six months after moving into their new home. Two children later though, affections had waned and Wilde embarked on his first homosexual affair, although he retained a strong sense of marital duty.
This biography covers fully Constance's early life and marriage and how tragedy and scandal befell her as her life with Oscar diverged. Bosie Douglas usurped Constance - as the author notes, "she was no longer the heart of the Wilde household". The story of Oscar Wilde's downfall is well known, but no less dramatic for the re-telling. Constance had always given Oscar a refuge and stability; she helped him with his work and they often had similar causes and interests in the early days of their marriage. Even Oscar's friends attempted to warn him of the path he was going down, but Constance saw, perhaps even before he did, of the danger.
When Oscar went to prison, his friends and Constance's supporters had only animosity for each other. Yet, touchingly, Constance still seemed to care for Oscar, even though her whole life had fallen apart. In one thing Constance was adamant - her sons, Cecil and Vyvyan, came first. She would do anything to protect them and did her utmost to shield them from scandal.
I greatly enjoyed this extremely interesting biography. The book presents the story of Constance's life fairly, pointing out both her strengths and weaknesses and painting a picture of a woman who perhaps was rather naive and ran away from issues that troubled her, but, in the end, had the strength of character to re-build her life. The biography also gives a very interesting and unbiased portrait of Oscar Wilde. This is a very readable and entertaining book and I found it hard to put down. I would recommend it highly as a fascinating account of a woman who is often overlooked in the story of her famous husbands life. Lastly, I read the kindle version of this book and the illustrations were included.
Constance had a difficult upbringing. Her brother Otho, who she adored, was older than her and she was left with a widowed mother who both verbally and physically abused her. When her mother re-married, Constance went to live with her fathers family, but her early experiences made her withdrawn and shy. Oscar Wilde's family knew hers in Ireland, and so the connection was there from a young age. Constance idolised Oscar, although it is telling that letters from Constance to Otho crossed each other - Constance announcing her engagement at the same time that Otho attempted to warn her about a 'worrying story' he had heard. So, even in those very early days, alarm bells may have been sounding that Oscar may not have been the "ideal husband", although Constance refused to listen to the story and so we can only imagine what warning Otho wished to give.
By this point though, Constance was beyond any warnings or worries and marriage led to her being more outlandish, while Oscar became more conventional. She seemed to gain confidence and took up causes and a new social life with enthusiasm. Constance was a great believer in women wearing more sensible clothing and she was seen as fashionable, although sometimes too daring in her dress. Early marriage was passionate and Constance was expecting her first baby only six months after moving into their new home. Two children later though, affections had waned and Wilde embarked on his first homosexual affair, although he retained a strong sense of marital duty.
This biography covers fully Constance's early life and marriage and how tragedy and scandal befell her as her life with Oscar diverged. Bosie Douglas usurped Constance - as the author notes, "she was no longer the heart of the Wilde household". The story of Oscar Wilde's downfall is well known, but no less dramatic for the re-telling. Constance had always given Oscar a refuge and stability; she helped him with his work and they often had similar causes and interests in the early days of their marriage. Even Oscar's friends attempted to warn him of the path he was going down, but Constance saw, perhaps even before he did, of the danger.
When Oscar went to prison, his friends and Constance's supporters had only animosity for each other. Yet, touchingly, Constance still seemed to care for Oscar, even though her whole life had fallen apart. In one thing Constance was adamant - her sons, Cecil and Vyvyan, came first. She would do anything to protect them and did her utmost to shield them from scandal.
I greatly enjoyed this extremely interesting biography. The book presents the story of Constance's life fairly, pointing out both her strengths and weaknesses and painting a picture of a woman who perhaps was rather naive and ran away from issues that troubled her, but, in the end, had the strength of character to re-build her life. The biography also gives a very interesting and unbiased portrait of Oscar Wilde. This is a very readable and entertaining book and I found it hard to put down. I would recommend it highly as a fascinating account of a woman who is often overlooked in the story of her famous husbands life. Lastly, I read the kindle version of this book and the illustrations were included.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I didn't even know I was interested in this subject before I started reading it because I heard it on Radio 4. The book was beautifully written and I finished it in two sittings. I have now lent it to three people who have all enjoyed it.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Apart from dealing with the little-known life of the wife of Oscar Wilde, this book gives a fascinating account of the slow emergence of the "modern woman" as she battled against the shibboleths of the Victorian Age. Such contemporary concerns as Theosophism, Aesthetic dress and the interiors of William Morris are dealt with in some detail and seem to give insight into that stultifying but fascinating time of change.
The deep love both parents felt for their first son, Cyril, and to a lesser extent their somewhat neglected son, Vyvyan, and the initial joyousness of their marriage is in sad contrast to the final years with Constance in exile and Oscar, released from gaol, but still in the clutches of the insalubrious Bosie.
An interesting account with a good selection of photographs.
The deep love both parents felt for their first son, Cyril, and to a lesser extent their somewhat neglected son, Vyvyan, and the initial joyousness of their marriage is in sad contrast to the final years with Constance in exile and Oscar, released from gaol, but still in the clutches of the insalubrious Bosie.
An interesting account with a good selection of photographs.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A poignant and interesting read
One of the good things about this book is that it does a good job of portraying Constance as an interesting person in her own right. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Alison Wilson
"Life is a terrible thing"
Insightful, thorough, fair, deftly-structured and moving, this is simply one of the best biographies ever written. Read more
Published 2 months ago by eveg
brilliant new take on wilde
Here is a wonderful book about the world of Oscar and Constance Wilde that rescues him from queer icon status and restores a bit of much needed balance. Read more
Published 4 months ago by C & C from E8
Not so wild about Wilde's wife
I am sorry to say that I did not finish reading this book - absolutely unheard of for me - but I just could not get through it as it was so dull.
Published 4 months ago by Maggie May
Constance: The Tragic and Scandelous Life of Mrs Oscar Wilde
Heartbreaking - Franny Moyle's book reveals how the judgement of the state (at a time when it supposedly ruled the waves) successfully blew a functioning family wide apart. Read more
Published 6 months ago by CFS
A life caught up in scandal and profanity
What a wonderful and insightful read. Franny Moyle has captured perfectly the life of Constance Lloyd, the lesser known wife of writer and playwright Oscar Wilde. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Heather Landy
Excellent biography
I rarely read biographies, and picked this up out of curiosity and out of a lifelong interest in Oscar Wilde. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Tallulah L.
she's still just Oscar's missus to me
Moyle's biography is well-written, readable, and, when recounting events following the summer when Bosie definitively supplanted Constance in Oscar's affections, sometimes... Read more
Published 8 months ago by monica
Constance: The tragic and scandalous life of Mrs Oscar Wilde
My attention was drawn to this book through Radio 4's Book at Bedtime. The author has not written it it as a moral judgementof Oscar Wilde. Read more
Published 9 months ago by The Reader
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