The Ballad of Reading Gaol
Oscar Wilde
Read by John Gonzalez
Wilde’s meditation on capital punishment, the Ballad of Reading Gaol comes after he was convicted and imprisoned under charges of gross indecency. The charges stemmed from his affair with Lord Alfred Douglas, the son of the Marquis of Queensberry. It relates the story of an execution of a man who murdered his wife which Wilde witnessed during his internment. Published in 1898, it was Wilde’s last published poem as he would die in 1900 from cerebral meningitis, caused by syphilis.(Summary by John Gonzalez) (0 hr 33 min)
Chapters
| The Ballad of Reading Gaol | 33:12 | Read by John Gonzalez |
Reviews
Must listen!
Chandini
I haven't read anything by Oscar Wilde that I didn't like but this is on a level of its own. This is... Well, I don't really know how to describe how serious and wonderful this poem is. Listening to it was definitely the way to go, and this comes from someone who reads three to five books a week. You get a better sense of the rhythm and majesty of the poem by listening to it. I kept pausing it to repeat lines that resonated with me. John Gonzalez did an excellent job.
Excellent
Mary Ann Mays
I have heard of this poem and ignored it as just more "Oscar Wilde", i.e. sharp wit and humor. This is very different...thoughtful, sad, humane and angry. Glad I read it.
Very Good Reading
Mrrikk
1st time I've heard a reading of BRG. Nicely done. Recommended.
Luna
wonderful read by J. G. once again O. Wilde does a great job!!!
If you don't shed tears when you hear this, youve been blessed
A LibriVox Listener
Derek
An Excellent Reading, thank you sir, thank you LibriVox
Excellent
Rob M
Excellent writing and excellently read.
good
hzx
Good reading and good book!