Exeter Library Live - Franny Moyle on Mrs Oscar Wilde
Exeter Library live presents Franny Moyle, the talented new biographer of Mrs Oscar Wilde.
Franny will join us to read from her book and answer questions about the compelling "Constance". She’ll discuss her approach to research, and the fascinating discoveries she made when writing this book. We’ll also be giving away five signed copies on the night.
Constance Lloyd and Oscar Wilde married in 1884 and until 1895 held a privileged place in society. They had two sons and lived a decadent lifestyle as a celebrity couple. Constance was a popular children’s author, a fashion icon, and a leading campaigner for women’s rights. Mrs Oscar Wilde was a phenomenon in her own right.
1895 was the year that changed everything for the Wilde family. Wilde was convicted of homosexual crimes and imprisoned for two years. Constance changed her surname to Holland, was forced to flee to the Continent with her two sons, and her glittery literary and political career ended abruptly. She lived in exile until her death in 1898.
With exclusive access to more than 300 of Constance’s unpublished letters, Franny Moyle now tells Constance’s story with a fresh eye and new material. Moyle brings to life the story of a woman at the heart of fin-de-siècle London and the Aesthetic movement. In a compelling and moving tale of an unlikely couple caught up in a world unsure of its moral footing, she uncovers key revelations about a woman who was the victim of one of the greatest betrayals of all time.
Franny Moyle has a degree in English and History of Art from St John's College, Cambridge and is the author of Desperate Romantics.
Exeter Library Live is a programme of live literature events with authors, illustrators, poets and book lovers which aims to bring the very best UK reading and writing experiences to the City. It is supported by Arts Council England, Devon Library Services, Cyprus Well and Waterstones.
Tickets – £4 available from Exeter Phoenix Box Office, Waterstones stores or on the door.
Contact Details
Castle Street
Exeter
Devon
EX4 3PQ
Tel: 01392 667080
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