We humans are drawn to pleasure and seek it highly over pain. This makes sense because it obviously feels better. However, seeking pleasure as an end generally leads us into a great deal of trouble. This book is a fictional conversation about the types of trouble a person can get into when seeking only to have pleasure with no restrictions. According to the author, pain, struggle, and rules are here for important reasons. We grow because of them, not in spite of them.

In many ways, I find that when I read a book and give it a great review there are others who read the same book and give it a less than palatable review. I realize with this book, that there are simply certain books with certain elements that affect you in a profound way at the time you read them.

They are special to your development at that moment. Like they are issued and governed by an outside element who picks the book for you to read when you do.

I had read Oscar Wilde's, The Picture of Dorian Gray and enjoyed it immensely and therefore this book made sense to me from that angle.

I would like to outline three quotes which made this book resonate within me at this place and time in my life.

Jesus in talking about HIS prophet Isaiah says:

"He tells of a thirsty man who went to sleep one night and dreamed he was drinking from gushing springs of cool water, only to wake up and find he was still thirsty. Such is the illusion under which a generation flirts with beauty and art and thinks they take precedence over truth. They'll awaken one day and find that their dream has left them still empty. You see, this is the danger. First art, imitates life. Then life imitates art. Finally, art becomes they very reason for life, and that's when life breaks down because life is not fiction...it is plain, hard fact."

"It is vain that men [and women] seek within themselves the cure for all their miseries. All their insight leads us only to the knowledge that it is not in ourselves that we discover the true and the good...our principal maladies are pride, which cuts us off from God, and sensuality which binds us to earth."

In speaking of Solomon, Jesus says:

"But in the end he concluded that love for God is the paramount protection against the pollution of desire. And that love should start when one is young...Every power known to man comes with a double edge: the knowledge to use it properly, and the other, the great capacity to abuse it."

As I said in the beginning, there are simply some books which resonate within you at a given time. I regard no other, less than profound reviews, with being wrong, but simply read at a time when the lesson is less than extremely important for the place and time in life.

While on his deathbed, Oscar Wilde regrets that the wife he lost and the young boys he corrupted were hurt due to his selfish indulgence. This book details what a conversation between Jesus and Wilde might have contained. They are joined by Blaise Pascal who converted to Christianity while still in good health and went on to write about the experience.

"Eleventh hour conversions" are nothing new. A friend of Wilde said, "It was not a religion in which he could live, but one he clearly wanted to die in..." Zacharias goes on to say, "One can only weep for the loss of all the years that could have been spent in the investment of a brilliant mind for the cause of the Lord."

It's an amazing short book to introduce you a bit into the life of Oscar Wilde and the contrast between his view and God's view on the world.

A fost interesant sa vad un dialog imaginar intre aceste personaje, doar ca destul de partinitor. Autorul nu a intrat defel in mintea personajelor, folosind doar niste informatii. Asta ar fi material mai degraba de unul sau doua articole de blog, ceva de pus pe internet, nu de pus intr-o carte.
Oricum, interesanta incercarea...

Another interesting book by Ravi Zacharias. Here Jesus talks to Oscar Wilde on pleasure. Helped me realise a few truths about the futility of seeking pleasure in the world and to get my priorities right.

I was hoping this would be an intriguing read but it wasn't. I feel it didn't properly portray Wilde. It only focused on his sexual side. I wish more research went into Wilde and his life rather than mostly comparing it to The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Another brilliant "conversation" by RZ.

Oscar Wildes's story is a telling lesson on what a tragedy life becomes when it loses its way in the name of pleasure, at the cost of the sacred. God desires that we live a life of fulfilment and has reminded us that we will find eternal pleasure only in knowing Him and loving Him with all of our hearts.

A very well-written book offering a deeper understanding of Oscar Wilde and his works through his conversation with Jesus and Blaise Pascal. Wilde pursued pleasure for its own sake, separating it from everything else. The problem with that and art as merely art is evinced in this quote: "First, art imitates life. Then life imitates art. Finally, art becomes the very reason for life, and that's when life breaks down, because life is not fiction…it is plain, hard fact." R. Zacharias presents good thoughts concerning pleasure and how to maintain a good balance with it in life. He uses king Solomon as an example (from Ecclesiastes) in the pursuit of pleasure for its own sake: "'I refused my heart no pleasure. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.' These are the words of Solomon the king. The world thought he had it all. But in the end he concluded that the love for God is the paramount protection against the pollution of desire. And that love should start when one is young."

Some very good insights.

An amazing and thought provoking book. Especially given the times in which we live. The relevance in this book as it pertains to today's culture cannot be understated. Once again dr. Ravi Zacharias has brought forth in engaging and thought-provoking piece that adds much to the conversation regarding today's culture.

Almost more of an essay than a 'book', this writing was interesting. I'm more of a fan of Ravi's speaking than writing, but this had a nice period feel. It lacked any deep insights and actually made me just want to read more Wilde.

A decent and very quick read.