In the late 19th century, a group of writers across Europe challenged artistic and social convention to create stories steeped in transgression, sensuality and obsession. Their work was radical, daring and controversial, and it captured a unique feeling and exciting atmosphere. Rich with aesthetic hedonism, this anthology showcases the very best short stories from the movement. In `The Nightingale and the Rose', Oscar Wilde expertly captures the decadent mood when a young student laments the futility of art; Vernon Lee tells the story of a mysterious and beautiful woman who brings strange misfortune to a coastal village in `Dionea'; `A Funeral Oration' by Jean Lorrain oozes with excess and indulgence; `Enoch Soames' grapples with the fin-de-si�cle fear of leaving no legacy. From famous to lesser-known writers, there is no shortage of drama, darkness and decay in this riveting collection. Classic Stories from the Age of Decadence is part of the Macmillan Collector's Library: a series of stunning, pocket-sized classics bound in cloth with ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition is edited and introduced by writer and academic Jane Desmarais.
