Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish author, playwright and poet. He became one of London's most popular playwrights and is remembered for his epigrams, his classic novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, his plays, as well as the circumstances of his trial, imprisonment and early death. Welcomed into the highest social circles, Wilde became famous for his artistic genius, wit and flamboyant dress.Gyles Brandreth is a writer, broadcaster, actor, former MP and Government Whip. A reporter on the One Show on BBC 1 and a regular on Radio 4's Just a Minute, his many books include The Oscar Wilde Mysteries (published in 22 countries) and the No 1 best-seller The 7 Secrets of Happiness, as well as two volumes of political diaries. He is patron of The Oscar Wilde Society.

"First, it is an elegant linen-bound production that gives it a handsome feel in the hand, but then fits neatly into a pocket like something one should never travel without on the train. Moreover, it is purple—one of Wilde’s statement colors—which as a cover for Wilde’s sparkling prose renders it heliotrope with diamonds...it is a book that should always be with us when there are no flowers to look at and we want something to stir the intelligence."