The Importance of Being Earnest

by Oscar Wilde, Tom Bouden | Graphic Novels |
ISBN: 392898392x Global Overview for this book
Registered by wingGoryDetailswing of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 7/14/2008
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10 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by wingGoryDetailswing from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Monday, July 14, 2008
This is a delightful graphic-novel version of Oscar Wilde's play, illustrated in black-and-white by Tom Bouden - and with a few tweaks as well: Gwendolen and Cecily are now Glenn and Cecil. [I think Oscar might approve!]

For the most part, the graphic novel sticks to the text of the play, though there's an amusing opening sequence set in a gay bar where lots of peripheral characters spout quips from Wilde's other works. After that we focus on the lives of Al and Ernest, their various little experiments with untruth ("Ernest" himself, of course, and the very amusing "Bunbury" subplot), and their romances with Glenn and Cecil, with all the attendant confusions and obstacles.

Most of the original text works quite as well with the gay romances as with straight ones, with only a few changes of pronoun and "girl" to "boy" here and there. [There were a few other changes; for example, I was tickled to find that the cigarette case that became a significant clue in the play is presented here as a monogramed condom box!] Bouden's simple drawing style (which reminds me of Hergé's Tintin books) fits the tone of the story very well, enhancing the humor of Wilde's words, and I enjoyed the whole thing very much indeed!

*** To see all of the Tom Bouden books I've registered, click here.

Journal Entry 2 by wingGoryDetailswing from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Thursday, August 28, 2008
I thought I'd offer this entertaining book for a book ring; see the forum post here.

The book is a slender softcover that weighs under 11 ounces. I'm willing to make it an international ring if I get enough participants who are able to mail internationally. Please post a reply in the forum thread or PM me if you'd like to participate, and include any mailing restrictions you may have.

Bookring instructions:

When you receive the book, please journal it, and PM the next person in line for their address so you'll have it ready when you've finished the book.
Note: even if you've sent books to that person before, please PM them before mailing this one, to confirm that the address is correct and that they're able to take on a bookring book at this time.
Try and read the book promptly - ideally, within one month of receiving it. (If you expect to take longer, you can request to be put at the end of the list. If you find you're swamped with other books when the person before you contacts you about the bookring, you can ask to be skipped, and then let me know whether you'd like to be moved down the list or dropped entirely. If you receive the book and find it's taking longer than you'd planned to get through it, I'd appreciate an update in its journal entries or on your profile, just to let me and the other participants know you haven't forgotten it.)

When you're ready to pass the book along, please add your comments about the book and indicate where you're sending it, either through a journal entry or through the new controlled-release-note option. If you find that you're having problems contacting the next person in line, or don't think you can manage to mail the book as originally agreed, please let me know; I'll be glad to try to work something out!

Participants, in mailing order:

KateKintail [VA]
azuki [FL]
JenKazoo [LA]
Supertalya [APO address, media-mail rates fm US]
chich [France]
Haugtussa [Norway]
LeishaCamden [Norway]
crazy-book-lady [Canada]
...and back to GoryDetails [NH].

Journal Entry 3 by wingGoryDetailswing at Burke, Virginia USA on Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (9/3/2008 UTC) at Burke, Virginia USA

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I'm sending this off to BCer Katekintail in Virginia to kick off the book ring. Hope you enjoy it!

Journal Entry 4 by wingKateKintailwing from Burke, Virginia USA on Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Picked this up today at the post office. Yay! As soon as I finish Watchmen (due tomorrow at the library!) this shall be inserted into that graphic novel vacancy. Thanks so much for including me in this ring!

I'm PMing azuki right now for an address since I don't think this shall take me too long to get through :-)

Journal Entry 5 by wingKateKintailwing from Burke, Virginia USA on Saturday, September 20, 2008
After a terribly crazy week, I finished reading this book last night. When I went to the library this morning to volunteer, I rented a copy of the 1952 movie on DVD. It's been a while since I read the play and I think it'd be fun to give the movie a try now. It's a little, er, dated stylistically and it's my opinion that most things are more fun with an all-gay male lead cast anyway so I'm sure I'll prefer this GN.

I liked the simple line art drawings. It made the characters (three of whom are blond) easy to recognize. And the art was just lovely enough to not overshadow the witty text. It was a nice balance in presentation.

I really liked it. There were lots of clever twists and more than once I actually paused in reading to warn the characters of the misunderstandings I saw coming up right behind them (incidentally, the characters didn't listen to my warnings). I don't remember the original enough to be able to pick up on the differences, but from GoryDetails' comments it looks like there weren't that many. It seemed quintessentially Wilde with so many recognizable quotes that had power and were amusing. If anything, it benefited from this choice of "cast" since the unacknowledged possibly homoerotic meanings were clearly MEANT to be acknowledged and played with here. I chortled at the Bunbury references. The story flowed quite well, with plenty of tense moments, moments of clever discovery, and intimate poses (mmm). Naturally, I approve of the ending and got a kick out of the whole, creative retelling. Well done Tom Bouden!

Thanks so much, GD, for including me in the ring!

Journal Entry 6 by wingKateKintailwing at Burke, Virginia USA on Saturday, September 20, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (9/20/2008 UTC) at Burke, Virginia USA

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Mailed off to Azuki this afternoon. I'm glad I finished it just in time to send it off in my weekly post office run!

USPS Delivery Confirmation #: 03080660000132406591

Journal Entry 7 by Azuki from Miami, Florida USA on Sunday, September 28, 2008
Received in the mail, thanks. Will start on it soon.

Journal Entry 8 by Azuki from Miami, Florida USA on Friday, October 3, 2008
Thanks GoryDetails for sharing this wonderful gem of work, which I doubt I would discover otherwise. Thanks also for pointing out the difference between this adaption and the original, as I haven't read the latter.

As first it took some getting used to, the use of word "marriage" between men and the nonchalant attitude Lady Bracknell has (keep expecting her to flip on seeing two men hugging), and have to remind myself about the adaption. However, once I get into the story, it is immensely entertaining, and I often cracked with laughter at Wilde's witty dialogue. Examples:

"Are your parents living?"
"I have lost both my parents."
"Both? That seems like carelessness."

"Pardon me, you are not engaged to anyone; when you do become engaged to someone, I will inform you of the fact."

This will be mailed out in a week to the next participant.

Journal Entry 9 by JenKazoo from Shreveport, Louisiana USA on Thursday, October 16, 2008
I got this in the mail today! It looks really interesting. I read the play in college and have seen the movie so I am curious to see how it compares!

Journal Entry 10 by JenKazoo from Shreveport, Louisiana USA on Friday, November 7, 2008
I thought this was a very funny version of Wilde's play. The graphic novel really follows along quite close to the original, with the exception of sexuality and gender roles. I do wish that the artist would have colored in his illustrations like they are on the front cover, but that is hardly worth complaining about.I have Supertalya's address and will be sending it very soon.

Thanks for sharing GoryDetails!

Journal Entry 11 by JenKazoo at Controlled Release, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, November 15, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (11/14/2008 UTC) at Controlled Release, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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sent to Supertalya

Journal Entry 12 by Supertalya on Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Just received this, it should be a fast read. It's a lot larger than I expected.

Very interesting. I like how the illustrator tweaked some details around to make the relationships work as gay couples. The story used the original dialog from the play and thought it was pretty funny. I just hated the illustrations. I felt like I was reading an Archie comic book. I have the next reader's address and will send it on soon.

Journal Entry 13 by Supertalya at bookcrosser, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (1/5/2009 UTC) at bookcrosser, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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On its way to France!

Journal Entry 14 by chich from Ibiza - Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Sunday, January 11, 2009
Book received yesterday, thanks for passing it on Supertalya!

I absolutely love "The Importance of Being Earnest" so I had very high expectation for this book. What took me by surprise was the gay aspect of the graphic novel. I've read Wilde's play so many times that it was really hard for me to get used to such a drastic plot change! Still, I think this is a pretty good adaptation of the original story and I enjoyed Bouden's simple drawing style.

Thanks for sharing GoryDetails:o)

Journal Entry 15 by chich from Ibiza - Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Friday, January 16, 2009
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Book sent to Haugtussa today, enjoy!



Entry #3 for the 2009 Keep Them Moving Challenge

Journal Entry 16 by wingHaugtussawing from Stavanger, Rogaland fylke Norway on Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The book arrived today!

Journal Entry 17 by wingHaugtussawing from Stavanger, Rogaland fylke Norway on Tuesday, February 3, 2009
I enjoyed Bouden's version of the play, both his drawings and the gay twist to it. (Oscar Wilde would probably approved of this...)
This is the play by Oscar Wilde that I know the best, as I use extracts from it with my students every year -the part where lady Bracknell interviews Jack.

Thanks for sharing, the book will travel on to Oslo soon.

Journal Entry 18 by wingLeishaCamdenwing from Alna bydel, Oslo fylke Norway on Saturday, February 21, 2009
And the book actually arrived in Oslo last weekend, I've just been forgetting to journal it ... !! I'm sorry. Better late than never. :-) I will read this soon and get it on its way again. Thanks for sharing, Gory! :-) It looks like a good read - ITA that the illustrations are reminiscent of Hergé ... !!

I'll journal again when I've read it.

Journal Entry 19 by wingLeishaCamdenwing from Alna bydel, Oslo fylke Norway on Monday, March 9, 2009
I've read this book now, finished it tonight. It was a very good read, very entertaining, exactly as I'd expect from a faithful adaptation of this play. :-) Since I know the play so well there was very little to surprise me in the story, but I really liked the new twist that Bouden's added. :-) The artwork's great, although I too would have liked to see it colored ... I'm not much of a fan of b/w comics, I prefer full color if at all possible. It quite possibly shows a lack of imagination on my part. :-)

I agree wholeheartedly that Wilde would no doubt have approved of this work. :-)

Thanks again for sharing, Gory - it was a very worthwhile read which I'm sure I would never have come across if it hadn't been for BookCrossing. :-) I've PMed crazy-book-lady for her address, so hopefully the book will be travelling again soon.

Journal Entry 20 by wingLeishaCamdenwing at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (4/1/2009 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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The book's finally on its way to Toronto. Happy travels, little book, and happy reading, crazy-book-lady! :-)

Journal Entry 21 by crazy-book-lady from Toronto, Ontario Canada on Friday, April 10, 2009
Earnest arrived safely in my mailbox yesterday. Thanks LeishaCamden!

In an eerie coincidence, I had just reached a subplot about Oscar Wilde in the book I was reading (The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - a book I probably wouldn't have picked up had I not recieved it for my birthday). Weird! (Cue creepy music...)

Journal Entry 22 by crazy-book-lady from Toronto, Ontario Canada on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
I actually finished reading this book about two days after receiving it. It has just taken me another two weeks to get around to making a journal entry and sending the book home again!

I really enjoyed this version of The Importance of Being Earnest. For the most part the text is lifted directly from the play, and it works very well. I agree with those who have said that Oscar would likely approve!

Thanks so much for offering this book as a bookring, GoreyDetails. I mailed it back to you yesterday, so it should return home safe and sound in the next few days.

Journal Entry 23 by wingGoryDetailswing from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Friday, May 1, 2009
Earnest has arrived home safely, and not much the worse for wear - many thanks to all! [Loved the Norwegian-flag sticker on the flyleaf; I'd been thinking that it would be fun if the well-traveled books had some kind of stickers to show where they'd been, like the ones that used to plaster steamer trunks, and then I opened the book and there was Norway! {grin}]

Journal Entry 24 by wingGoryDetailswing at Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (7/7/2009 UTC) at Nashua, New Hampshire USA

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This book's going out again, on loan to a friend of KateKintail's in Virginia. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 25 by wingKateKintailwing from Burke, Virginia USA on Friday, July 10, 2009
This book is back in my hands! I have a friend who likes Wilde & this play and appreciates this book's genre. I mentioned the book to her and she expressed interest in reading it. So gorydetails was nice enough to let me borrow it for her. Thank you! I shall be seeing her at the midnight showing of Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince on Tuesday night and will give the book to her then. Thank you!

Journal Entry 26 by wingKateKintailwing at Springfield, Virginia USA on Monday, August 10, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (8/8/2009 UTC) at Springfield, Virginia USA

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Handed to a friend at a DADA meetup. I hope it's enjoyed! Please return it to me when done so I can mail it back :-)

Journal Entry 27 by rhul from Falls Church, Virginia USA on Thursday, October 1, 2009
I played Lady Bracknell in High School so I have a certain amount of attachment to the play. (Did NOT like what Rupert Everett did to it in his movie version.) I was very pleased with this adaptation. The line tweaks felt like what Wilde would of done if he could of.

Will return to Kate at our next DADA meeting.

Journal Entry 28 by wingKateKintailwing at Fairfax Station, Virginia USA on Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (12/23/2009 UTC) at Fairfax Station, Virginia USA

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Sending this back. Thank you so much for letting me borrow it! *hugs*

Journal Entry 29 by wingGoryDetailswing from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Friday, January 1, 2010
And "Earnest" is safely home again on this snowy New Year. Glad you enjoyed it!

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