Exploring the idea that it’s good to be able to discern between healthy and toxic relationships, ‘The Devoted Friend’ is perhaps more relevant now than it has ever been. While this might read as a sweet fairy-tale, Wilde imbues it with important lessons in morality and friendship. It begins with a linnet meeting a vain and ignorant water-rat. In order to bring the water-rat to some realisation, the linnet tells him the story of a gardener, Hans, and how his good nature is exploited by his supposed friend, Big Hugh. Delightfully written and full of charm, this book is perfect for younger readers and those who cannot resist the pull of nostalgia. Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900) was an Irish novelist, poet, playwright, and wit. He was an advocate of the Aesthetic movement, which extolled the virtues of art for the sake of art. During his career, Wilde wrote nine plays, including ‘The Importance of Being Earnest,’ ‘Lady Windermere’s Fan,’ and ‘A Woman of No Importance,’ many of which are still performed today. His only novel, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ was adapted for the silver screen, in the film, ‘Dorian Gray,’ starring Ben Barnes and Colin Firth. In addition, Wilde wrote 43 poems, and seven essays. His life was the subject of a film, starring Stephen Fry.

»The Devoted Friend« is a short story by Oscar Wilde, originally published in 1888. OSCAR WILDE, born in 1854 in Dublin, died in 1900 in Paris, was an Irish prose writer, playwright, essayist, and poet. Wilde's significance as a symbol for persecuted homosexuals around the world is immeasurable. Wilde himself was sentenced to prison and hard labour, his works were boycotted, theatrical productions were shut down, and he was publicly vilified. The Picture of Dorian Gray [1890] is his most famous work.

In a compelling narrative of moral courage and personal integrity, this biography tells the story of Robert Baldwin Ross, the man who first seduced Oscar Wilde and never wavered in his loyalty to the flamboyant wit and playwright. Unfailingly, Ross stood by Wilde through the scandals that shocked a nation, through his much-publicized trials and imprisonment, at his deathbed in Paris—and thereafter dedicated himself to defending the reputation of his famous friend.

The remarkable story of Robbie Ross, the young Canadian who first seduced Oscar Wilde in London, is a tribute to devoted friendship and loyalty in a late Victorian milieu in which duplicity and subterfuge were more the norm. Ross not only helped Wilde discover his true nature but also stood by him during the playwright's tempestuous relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas, the scandal of the subsequent trials and the purgatory of imprisonment with hard labour. When Wilde was released from jail, Ross was waiting for him in France and endeavoured to manage his finances. After Wilde's death, as his literary executor, Ross steered the estate out of debt and worked tirelessly to restore Wilde's shattered reputation and get definitive editions of his writings in print. But this only brought opprobrium down on Ross's head from a jealous and vindictive 'Bosie' Douglas, who set out to ruin him. "Fryer is perceptive about the era, its colorful personalities and perversities." NY Times "Jonathan Fryer should be congratulated for having the intelligence and humour to... reveal a fascinating minor character and all those great and small figures around him in their true light." Spectator "Fryer triumphs, offering, in 21st century queer terms, a popular account of Ross's life." Gay Times

The next volume in the prize-winning and greatly acclaimed complete adaptations of Wilde’s tales presents “The Devoted Friend” on what constitutes real friendship, and “The Nightingale and the Rose” a stirring story of sacrifice to love with a cruel twist. A signed and limited edition.

Wilde's tales are adapted into a comic book format and use fairy tale elements and Christian symbolism.

P. Craig Russell, the artist best known for adapting literary works to comics, applies his legendary talents to Conan in this adaptation of Robert E. Howard's "The Jewels of Gwahlur," one of Conan's last adventures before becoming king. A young woman, having made a string of bad choices, finds herself the pawn of mercenaries-one of which is Conan of Cimmeria. As the former dancing girl poses as the dead oracle of a primitive cult, Conan puts his experience as a thief and a soldier together in pursuit of some of the most prized jewels in the world-the Teeth of Gwahlur! Featuring a sixteen-page sketchbook and an interview with Russell covering his career and creative process on this book, this handsome book not only highlights one of fantasy art's greatest living talents, it shows once again that Howard's original Conan tales remain unsurpassed.

Clea is back and is still searching for the answers about her missing father and her connection with the elusive and dangerous Sage. But will her discoveries put her in even greater danger?