BookJumper

W.H. is a short novel, but a novel nonetheless as far as I was able to ascertain, all CWs of Oscar reprint the journal short story, which is significantly shorter.

XD ROFL - don't get Giulia started on the historical inaccuracy of that film that said, I really couldn't have cared less; it's one of those films that pushes all of your emotive buttons so well that it makes you shelve reality for as long as it lasts, and maybe a bit longer.

A chocolate Slim-fast shake half of which I've spilt on the bed and an Eat Natural bar with brasil nuts, sultanas, almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts '... and nothing dodgy.'

It was printed as a standalone in 1921; my bibliography sez: Wilde, Oscar, ed. by Holland, Vyvyan, The Portrait of Mr W.H. : The Greatly Enlarged Version Prepared by the Author After the Appearance of the Story in 1889 but not Published (London: Methuen, 1958 [1921]). However, there's been Complete Works published since then, including the 'official' Collins one, so do not ask me why I cannot seem to find the text of the standalone ever reproduced in a CW. It's no longer than Dorian Gray, or one of the plays... .

@ Noll: . ... as an actually unemployed, actually seeking work, actually differently abled person who hasn't received a penny in benefits for the past five months because some computer reckons OH's part-time work can pay rent and food for the both of us, I find this a spit in the face.

You see (pulls information of of dissertation-shaped hat ), W.H. was first published as a short story written for a journal; the much longer, revised version didn't see print until the 20th century because supposedly the manuscript went AWOL during the auction of Oscar's things at the time of his arrest. For ages I have been trying to find a Complete Works of Oscar which included the longer W.H.; sadly, to no avail. 'a complex, involved gem for the researchers and historians of literature among us.' - I must say, this does sound rather like my cup of tea !

Noll - I feel your pain. I hate it when things backfire. I hate it when you try and protect people's feelings, their feelings get hurt regardless and then they feel like they have to hurt yours just to balance things out. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh.

I would add to the so-called reasons for the American remake the fact that it was probably felt that the original contained far too little blood & gore to be marketed as horror... !

Frankenstein is one of my favouritest books ever Nienna, I so hope you like it it's not the easiest book in the world but it amply rewards those willing to dedicate it time, I feel. Kylie - happy Wickeding man I loved that book.

When I was younger, so much younger than today I used to read a 200pp book a day with one or two 500pp+ books going along the side; right now - what with lack of time/concentration and presence of stress, I'm lucky to read a 200pp book in a month... it'll often take me a lot longer than that *hangs head in shame*.

At first I thought I'd read something very similar to this as a child, but I'm pretty sure in the book I'd read the dog was put down at the end so obviously not the same book at all... sorry !

I didn't mind the Shakespeare Secret - up until which is when the book got hurled (metaphorically, it having been lent to me)!

Lennon. Terry Pratchett or Terry Gilliam?

BBQ Pringles and Cool Sour Cream & Chives Doritos Dip. ... a healthy breakfast.

Oooh, I'd love to hear your fully-fledged thoughts on Possession once you've finished it, Noll - I have had my sights set on the prettiful FS edition for ages but I need to be reasonably sure I'll like it before investing that kind of money...!

Then they're not written properly there's no such thing as boring character types, just writers who don't know how to manage them. I would say I've gone off Stephen King in the sense that (with the exception of his incredibly perceptive non-fiction on the craft of writing) I don't like the stuff he's been writing for the past ten or so at all; however his back catalogue of enthralling stuff is vast enough to keep me going regardless... !

I actually liked District 9 (... ) and adored The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, I personally thought it was pure genius. I also thought Avatar was unbelievable - granted, it's Pocahontas with blue aliens, but it pushes all the right buttons and is beautiful, therefore I really didn't care. I agree with Raven [paraphrases] that the LOTR films rock - I went to see each of them at the cinema 5+ times, and I was so made up when the extended versions came out and reinserted all the bits which should never have been cut in the first place, because anyone who can sit in a cinema for 3hrs can sit in a cinema for 4 (i.e., ). I also heartily agree about The Phantom Menace - what. a. desecration. of. my. childhood. The remastered original trilogy is the first non-kiddie showing I've ever seen at the cinema, it was the most amazing thing I'd laid eyes on and I was so excited when the long-awaited prequel came out... very soon, I was so disappointed I'd fallen asleep. I didn't even bother with the other two. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy film was a travesty - the only two good things about it were Neil Hannon's opening credits tune So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish and Stephen Fry's voice as the Guide. Other than that, it was utter, utter pants and a complete shameless betrayal of Douglas Adams's vision. Give me the 1981 TV series any day. I refused to see the 2005 Pride & Prejudice, partly because I loathe the sight of Keira Knightley, and partly because the BBC had got it so perfect a decade before I felt no need to see any other version ever.

... oooh! This really sounds like something I'd devour, so it's getting bumped up Peak Wishlist thanks to your enthusiasm !

... is it the book-length W.H. Noll?

You'll both be happy to know that said books are staggeringly good !

Wahey for the reading of Wicked I approve.

If I was allowed to buy only one a year until I get richer (you need to commit to a minimum of four), I'd have joined by now *sighs whistfully*.

I envy you. I had to abandon Richard Matheson's I Am Legend (which I badly wanted to read) because a slight continuity error on page two left me unable to dive into the story. I know it's sad but I can't help how it affects me...!