A gentleman calmly preparing to commit murder because a palm-reader has predicted it. An exhausted ghost outwitted by an aggressively practical American family. A beautiful woman who may possess a terrible secret—or perhaps no secret at all. A struggling young man rewarded for an act of kindness. And an elaborate literary mystery surrounding Shakespeare’s mysterious “Mr. W. H.” In Lord Arthur Savile's Crime; The Portrait of Mr W H; and Other Stories, Oscar Wilde demonstrates the dazzling wit, elegance, imagination, and psychological insight that made him one of the most brilliant literary figures of the Victorian age. This richly entertaining collection brings together some of Wilde’s finest shorter fiction, ranging from comic satire and ghost story to literary mystery, social comedy, and philosophical speculation. Though very different in tone and style, the stories are united by Wilde’s unmistakable voice: witty, polished, ironic, and endlessly fascinated by the contrast between appearance and reality. Included in this volume are: Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime A wonderfully absurd comedy of manners in which an aristocratic gentleman becomes convinced that fate requires him to commit murder before he can marry. - The Canterville Ghost One of the great comic ghost stories in English literature, blending Gothic atmosphere with Wilde’s playful satire of modern American practicality. - The Sphinx Without a Secret A subtle and atmospheric tale of mystery, illusion, and the human tendency to imagine hidden meanings where none may exist. - The Model Millionaire A warm and charming social fable exploring generosity, wealth, and appearances. - The Portrait of Mr. W. H. Part literary criticism, part philosophical mystery, and part fictional speculation, this fascinating story centres upon the identity of the mysterious “Mr. W. H.” mentioned in Shakespeare’s Sonnets. What makes Wilde’s fiction so enduring is that beneath the wit and elegance lies something deeper. Again and again, these stories explore vanity, performance, obsession, reputation, loneliness, and society’s tendency to mistake appearances for truth. Wilde exposes human foolishness with humour and intelligence, but rarely with cruelty. Readers who enjoy: classic literary humour, - Victorian satire, - witty ghost stories, - social comedy, - clever literary fiction, - Oscar Wilde’s plays and essays, - and elegant short fiction will find much to enjoy in this beautifully varied collection. Funny, sophisticated, haunting, and thought-provoking by turns, Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime; The Portrait of Mr. W. H.; and Other Stories remains an outstanding showcase of Oscar Wilde’s extraordinary literary talent. Bella Galbraith Books is dedicated to bringing classic works of literature back into print for modern readers. Each edition is presented in a clear and readable format, with care taken to preserve the original text.