The Importance of Being Earnest (Dramatized) Audiobook, by Oscar Wilde Play Audiobook Sample

The Importance of Being Earnest (Dramatized) Audiobook

The Importance of Being Earnest (Dramatized) Audiobook, by Oscar Wilde Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: James Marsters, Charles Busch, Emily Bergl, Neil Dickson, Jill Gascoine, Christopher Neame, Matthew Wolf Publisher: L.A. Theatre Works Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 1.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 1.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: November 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN:

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Publisher Description

This final play from the pen of Oscar Wilde is a stylish send-up of Victorian courtship and manners, complete with assumed names, mistaken lovers, and a lost handbag. Jack and Algernon are best friends, both wooing ladies who think their names are Ernest, that name which inspires absolute confidence.

Wilde's effervescent wit, scathing social satire, and high farce make this one of the most cherished plays in the English language.

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"This is not an audiobook but the audio from the stage play. I am glad I got to hear it. The story is very cute and reminds me of As You Like It by William Shakespeare. A book I Love! I am going to make it a point to go see this one. The cover needs work."

— Alysia (4 out of 5 stars)

The Importance of Being Earnest (Dramatized) Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.4390243902439 out of 54.4390243902439 out of 54.4390243902439 out of 54.4390243902439 out of 54.4390243902439 out of 5 (4.44)
5 Stars: 21
4 Stars: 17
3 Stars: 3
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Although I usually don't like to read plays, I really enjoyed reading this tongue-in-cheek farce. I think it is even better than "An Ideal Husband" "

    — Rrshively, 2/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Laugh out loud funny. And, I loved hearing some of the history of Wilde's writing of this important theater work. I'm telling you, if you have to wash windows, a cheery little audio performance like this makes it all grand. "

    — Sydney, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " One of the finest pieces of writing in the English language. Work like this will never age. Wilde was a true genius. I have read this play so many times and each time I do so it just gets better. Written work only beaten by seeing it performed. "

    — Albert, 1/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The importance of being Algernon: unlimited cucumber sandwiches and muffins. "

    — Shaun, 1/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An elaborate farce. Really funny at times and its a play that is so trivial that I just laughed at how stupidly funny the characters were. "

    — Maisie, 1/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Thanks Oscar, I needed a good laugh, even though I was confused most of the time. Great fun. "

    — Mario, 1/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Short and to the point. Anything more would be superfluous in this clever satire on Victorian aristocracy. Bravo Mr. Wilde. "

    — Dave, 1/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Amazing of course. So clever and funny. Everyone should read Oscar Wilde. "

    — Jody, 1/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Really enjoyed the wordplay and Oscar Wilde's clever delivering of cynicism with a dash of humour. "

    — Henry, 12/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Entertaining, one for those down days. "

    — Jo, 11/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " So clever. Wonderful lines. So funny! "

    — Belle, 11/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Oh Oscar Wilde, why must you be so brilliant at dramatic irony? "

    — Tash, 10/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Very cute quick read and will induce quizzical faces and great laughs :) "

    — Kacy, 10/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is once of my favorites. "

    — Tyler, 9/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I don't usually "lol" during a book. It's always been more of an internal giggle. This book actually had me LOLing. I wish I could give it six starts. Wilde never disappoints. "

    — Samantha, 9/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Wilde has a way of capturing his reader.. I love that in a author. "

    — Katharine, 8/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Oh god I listened to a reading of it and it wasn't even that good of a reading, but it had me laughing the entire time. Great stuff. Favorite of mine now. "

    — Devon, 8/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " short, hilarious, and to the point. my kind of story. "

    — LJ, 6/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Super good play! Much better than the picture of Dorian gray. It was funny and took me about an hour to read. Worth it! "

    — Samantha, 2/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Nice, short, romantic, and humorous play :) "

    — Isabel, 10/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Easy read, few moral lessons, but ultimately a brilliantly humorous piece of literature by one of the greatest playwrights. "

    — Toni, 9/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Well-written, engaging, hilarious. I've even used the names Jack and Algernon for my pets! This will always be one of my favorites. "

    — Samara, 4/15/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " this is one of my most favorite plays. Have seen it several times, including the musical "Earnest in Love". Love reading it too. "

    — Sara, 3/26/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Worth reading just because it's so hysterical. "

    — Shannon, 2/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Witty, sophisticated, fun! Everyone should read this at least once. "

    — Jessica, 2/19/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I just loved listening to this performance of The Importance of Being Earnest. It is a recorded live performance and, just as the wit of Oscar Wilde, is perfection of the English language! "

    — Heidi, 11/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " winsome, wild and witty.. great read "

    — Arunachalam, 9/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Weirdly funny. And finished it in one sitting :D "

    — Rana, 5/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " One of the most hilarious plays I've ever read. Oscar Wilde is amazing. "

    — Lauren, 5/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Simply a fun, satirical, quick read. It's an enjoyable piece to go back to time and again. "

    — Julie, 5/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Funniest thing I've ever read. And the 2002 film adaptation is great! "

    — Ruth, 5/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Simple and witty. Oscar Wilde has the unique ability to tell a cynical truth in both an understated and funny manner! The play is filled with quotable lines : D "

    — Samaa, 5/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I bloody love this play. I laugh so hard every time I read it! Simply never gets old. "

    — Caroline, 5/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I want to name my child Earnest now. Oscar Wilde has produced a stunningly clever, charmingly witty, and wonderfully funny story. Well worth the read! "

    — Lynley, 5/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book was quite hilarious. The dry British humor added the right amount of subtlety to the very things Oscar Wilde was poking at such as the upper classes of society, marriage, and the church. "

    — Allison, 5/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This play was a quick and easy read. I like the light-hearted tone, and the easy way it poked fun at stereotypes. It was quite enjoyable, but not something particularly amazing. It was fun and hilarious while it lasted. "

    — Kayla, 5/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Hilarity. Loved it. It is astounding when you read something this old that is still so relevant. "

    — Timmy, 5/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Very funny. You can see the origins of shows like " Three's Company" and the likes, although Ernest is far superior. This pay could be put on at any time, in any setting and still be timely. After all, identity thieves are everywhere. "

    — Skaditch, 5/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Read this for a college drama class and enjoyed the comical aspects. At first I couldn't quite get a hold on the characters and who was who, but it got easier and more entertaining as I began to piece together the characters and situations. "

    — Emily, 5/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Oscar Wilde is hilarious. The wit of the characters and the absurdity of the situations is really funny. I enjoyed the duality theme and the substance of the characters. "

    — Angela, 4/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Read this for my AP brit. lit class and LOVED It. Clever and witty. "All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his." "

    — Alicia, 4/29/2011

About Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) was born in Dublin. He won scholarships to both Trinity College, Dublin, and Magdalen College, Oxford. In 1875, he began publishing poetry in literary magazines, and in 1878, he won the coveted Newdigate Prize for English poetry. He had a reputation as a flamboyant wit and man-about-town. After his marriage to Constance Lloyd in 1884, he tried to establish himself as a writer, but with little initial success. However, his three volumes of short fiction, The Happy Prince, Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime, and A House of Pomegranates, together with his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, gradually won him a reputation as a modern writer with an original talent. That reputation was confirmed and enhanced by the phenomenal success of his society comedies: Lady Windermere’s Fan, A Woman of No Importance, An Ideal Husband, and The Importance of Being Earnest, all performed on London’s West End stage between 1892 and 1895. In 1895, he was convicted of engaging in homosexual acts, which were then illegal, and sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labor. He soon declared bankruptcy, and his property was auctioned off. In 1896, he lost legal custody of his children. When his mother died that same year, his wife Constance visited him at the jail to bring him the news. It was the last time they saw each other. In the years after his release, his health deteriorated. In November 1900, he died in Paris at the age of forty-six.