Description

Book Synopsis

''Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life''

The two works brought together here, ''The Decay of Lying'' and ''The Critic as Artist'', are Oscar Wilde''s wittiest and most profound writings on aesthetics, in which he proposes that criticism is the highest form of creation and that lying, the telling of a beautiful untruth, is the ultimate aim of art.

One of twenty new books in the bestselling Penguin Great Ideas series. This new selection showcases a diverse list of thinkers who have helped shape our world today, from anarchists to stoics, feminists to prophets, satirists to Zen Buddhists.

The Decay of Lying

    Product form

    £7.59

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £7.99 – you save £0.40 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Mon 8 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Oscar Wilde

    7 in stock


      View other formats and editions of The Decay of Lying by Oscar Wilde

      Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
      Publication Date: 24/09/2020
      ISBN13: 9780241472453, 978-0241472453
      ISBN10: 0241472458
      Also in:
      Biography Essays Politics, Philosophy & Society Philosophy: aesthetics Books by Oscar Wilde

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      ''Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life''

      The two works brought together here, ''The Decay of Lying'' and ''The Critic as Artist'', are Oscar Wilde''s wittiest and most profound writings on aesthetics, in which he proposes that criticism is the highest form of creation and that lying, the telling of a beautiful untruth, is the ultimate aim of art.

      One of twenty new books in the bestselling Penguin Great Ideas series. This new selection showcases a diverse list of thinkers who have helped shape our world today, from anarchists to stoics, feminists to prophets, satirists to Zen Buddhists.

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account