Classic Stories from the Age of Decadence

A collection that showcases the very best short stories from the 1890s, which is widely considered to be the most important decade of the Decadent movement.

Decadent writing aimed to challenge expectations, break boundaries, and experiment with literary form. It moved away from the moralistic novels of the Victorian period and instead aimed for something new: writing that was radical, daring, and controversial, which captured a unique feeling and exciting atmosphere. Edited and introduced by writer and academic Jane Desmarais, this Macmillan Collector's Library short story anthology showcases the very best writing from the movement.

In The Happy Prince, Oscar Wilde 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. Jean Lorrain's A Funeral Oration oozes with excess and indulgence, while Enoch Soames grapples with the fears surrounding artistic longevity in the fin de siècle. From famous authors to lesser-known writers, there is no shortage of drama, darkness, and decay in this riveting collection.

Part of the Macmillan Collector's Library, a series of stunning, pocket-sized classics with ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover.