Karl E. Beckson (1926–2008)

Only a few pieces stand out in what is better viewed as a reflection on the 1890s than as a collection of enjoyable pieces. From an early 21st century perspective, to succeed, a piece has to still be funny. As pleasant a person as Max Beerbohm is, there isn't much amusement or pleasure in reading "A Defence of Cosmetics". It is impossible to understand the context or the way in which it was received by its original audience. The best piece here is Wilde's "The Decay of Lying: An Observation," which still makes me laugh out loud. The other Wilde contributions here as good as well. The Ballad of Reading Gaol, presented here in its entirety, is rather repetitive, but of course it is full of great quotes. Otherwise, the appendices are more interesting than much of the main contents of the volume. Robert Hichen's satire of Wilde is quite funny. Certainly the best thing, however, is the excerpt from Huysmans Against the Grain, which like the entire book, is brilliant and sums up Decadence better than anything else could.… (mais)