Oscar Wilde's collection of fairy tales in "The Happy Prince and Other Tales" is a delightful read for both children and adults. Each story is imbued with a sense of morality and compassion, weaving together themes of selflessness, kindness, and the beauty of the human spirit.

"The Happy Prince" tells the tale of a statue who sacrifices himself for the benefit of the less fortunate in his city, while "The Selfish Giant" teaches readers about the value of generosity and empathy. Other stories in the collection, such as "The Nightingale and the Rose" and "The Devoted Friend," further explore these themes in a poignant and thought-provoking manner.

Wilde's writing is exquisite, filled with vivid imagery and lyrical prose that pulls the reader into each tale. Despite the moral lessons embedded in the stories, Wilde never preaches or talks down to his audience, instead allowing the characters and plots to speak for themselves.

Overall, "The Happy Prince and Other Tales" is a timeless collection that continues to resonate with readers of all ages. Wilde's ability to blend fantasy with profound truths about the human experience makes this book a classic that will endure for generations to come.

Book Description:
Oscar Wilde said of his story The Happy Prince that it was "an attempt to treat a tragic modern problem in a form that aims at delicacy and imaginative treatment; it is a reaction against the purely imitative character of modern art.” His Fairy Tales then were only partly written for children and as he said, "partly for those who have kept the childlike faculties of wonder and joy, and who find in simplicity a subtle strangeness".

In The Happy Prince and The Nightingale and the Rose, Wilde explores love and self sacrifice. The Selfish Giant will not let the children in his garden but repents and is redeemed. The Miller in the Devoted Friend is not only selfish but an egotistical hypocrite. The Remarkable Rocket is also a tale about egotism and conceit.