Ray's (Magical Tales from Many Lands; The Story of Christmas) folksy, gilt-laden artwork graces this somewhat formal abridgment of Wilde's tale about an enchanted statue. The Happy Prince, who had lived a happy life and died a happy man, is now immortalized high above the city as a golden and bejeweled statue. For the first time the royal sees the suffering, poverty and misery of the common people. Sharing his sympathetic view with a sparrow, the prince persuades the bird to postpone its migration and instead to deliver his gold leafing, his sapphire eyes and ruby belt to those who need them. Soon the sparrow dies of cold and the prince, now shabby, is removed from its pedestal and melted down. Though young readers may appreciate the lessons of selflessness and sacrifice here, the telling may seem to them stilted and even occasionally disjointed. Ray's characteristically rich palette and her delicate borders and backgrounds provide the visual magic that keeps this sentimental tale afloat. Ages 7-up. (Jan.)
It is all to easy to be familiar with Oscar Wilde the aesthete. The limpid sophisticate ever ready with a witty epigram designed to both shock and stimulate.
However, here in this set of short stories Wilde, at least partly, lays aside his barbs and is careful to not let cynicism cloud the parable like innocence of these tales.
There is an undeniable purity in these tales which Wilde's simple lyrical style beautifully enhances. For all the hypocrisy of the Remarkable Rocket and the Miller we find the self-sacrifice of the Nightingale and the Swallow, the true repentance of the Giant and the heart-breaking compassion of the once Happy Prince deeply moving.
Narrated by Simon Hester. With original music.
It is all to easy to be familiar with Oscar Wilde the aesthete. The limpid sophisticate ever ready with a witty epigram designed to both shock and stimulate.
However, here in this set of short stories Wilde, at least partly, lays aside his barbs and is careful to not let cynicism cloud the parable like innocence of these tales.
There is an undeniable purity in these tales which Wilde's simple lyrical style beautifully enhances. For all the hypocrisy of the Remarkable Rocket and the Miller we find the self-sacrifice of the Nightingale and the Swallow, the true repentance of the Giant and the heart-breaking compassion of the once Happy Prince deeply moving.
Narrated by Simon Hester. With original music.
The Happy Prince & Other Stories
The Happy Prince & Other Stories
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Editorial Reviews
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940177981710 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Head Stories Audio |
| Publication date: | 12/19/2020 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
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