The Greatest "Plays, Victorian" Books of All Time

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 300 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Plays

Plays are a category of literature that consists of written works intended for performance on stage. They typically feature dialogue between characters and are structured into acts and scenes. Plays can be comedic, tragic, or a combination of both, and often explore themes such as love, power, and morality. They are meant to be performed by actors in front of an audience, and can be enjoyed both as written works and as live performances.

Victorian

The "Victorian" category in literature refers to books that were written during the reign of Queen Victoria, from 1837 to 1901, or that embody the themes, social concerns, and cultural characteristics of that period in Britain. This era is marked by a complex intersection of industrial progress, empire expansion, strict social mores, and a rich cultural output. Victorian literature often grapples with issues such as social reform, gender roles, morality, and the impact of modernity on traditional ways of life. Authors like Charles Dickens, the Brontë sisters, Thomas Hardy, and George Eliot are quintessential figures whose works explore the intricacies of Victorian society. The genre is characterized by detailed realism, a focus on character development, and intricate plots that frequently address the disparities between the wealthy and the poor, the rise of the middle class, and the pursuit of personal and societal improvement. Victorian books can be novels, poetry, essays, or plays, and while they may vary in style and subject matter, they all provide a window into the values, struggles, and transformations of this pivotal era in British history.

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  1. 1. The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

    This comedic play revolves around two protagonists who both use the pseudonym "Ernest" to escape their social obligations. Their plans unravel when they fall in love and their betrothed women reveal they are only willing to marry men named Ernest. The situation is further complicated by a case of mistaken identity, a lost handbag, and a surprising revelation about one of the protagonist's parentage. The play uses wit and humor to satirize the social conventions of Victorian England, particularly the importance placed on trivialities.

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download