The fifth volume of Oscar Wilde's letters provides a fascinating glimpse into the final years of the acclaimed playwright and author's life. This collection of correspondence showcases Wilde's wit, charm, and intelligence, as well as his struggles with personal and professional challenges.

As Wilde navigates the difficulties of his exile in France and his declining health, his letters reveal a man who is still full of creativity and passion for his work. His interactions with friends, family, and colleagues offer insight into the complex personality of a literary genius who was both celebrated and controversial in his time.

Although the letters in this volume are not always easy to read, given Wilde's poignant reflections on his circumstances, they are nonetheless a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the man behind the iconic literary works. Overall, this volume is a poignant and revealing portrait of Wilde in his final years, showcasing his enduring wit and wisdom in the face of adversity.

Book Description:
This fifth and final collection of the correspondence of Oscar Wilde includes many letters to his friend, Robert Ross, and a long letter about prison reform to the editor of the Daily Chronicle. For most of the last three years of his life Wilde lived in Paris, but his letters also describe visits to Switzerland and Italy. The collection ends with one of Wilde's last surviving letters, which he wrote from his deathbed to beg a friend for money to pay his medical bills. The letters, some of which have been excerpted or redacted, are sourced from auction catalogues, biographies, collections of letters to Ross, and other texts in the public domain. For a complete collection of Wilde's letters, please see "The Complete Letters of Oscar Wilde," edited by Merlin Holland and Rupert Hart-Davis.