To the End of the World: Travels with Oscar Wilde

About three years ago I was contacted by the young actor, Edwin Thomas, who was playing the character of Robbie Ross in Rupert Everett’s imaginative biopic of Oscar Wilde, The Happy Prince. He was holed up in a hotel on location somewhere on the Continent and had just read my biography of Robbie. Could I give him any advice? Unfortunately some of the film was already in the can so it was too late to take on board my point that Robbie spoke with a marked Canadian accent all his life. But I hope some of my other remarks were of use. Everett, while naming the film from one of Wilde’s best-loved children’s stories actually tilted the movie in the direction of arguing that Robbie was Oscar’s true love, not Bosie — as my own book suggests. I loved The Happy Prince when it came out, mainly because Everett (as Wilde) really externalised the playwright’s inner turmoil, one might even say putrefaction. But the film was a bit of a damp squib commercially, not receiving the critical attention it deserved and failing to pull in the crowds before quickly entering that purgatory of non-hits. However, it was a joy to read the whole story of the film’s creation — from initial idea through numerous setbacks and budgetary problems before its final realisation. This is in Rupert Everett’s new book, the third of Everett’s autobiographical tomes and, to my mind, by far the most successful and engaging. Earlier volumes rather grated with their endless trumpeting of the author’s low-level criminality and sluttishness; there is much less of that here and the highs and lows of the creative process give the book an engrossing narrative arc. For anyone interested in film-making this book is worth reading, and for fans of Oscar Wilde, it is a must-have. At one point, Everett as director is encouraged to make some cuts because someone comments that Oscar comes across as rather disagreeable. But of course a crucial point about Wilde is that one loves and admires him, despite his glaring faults.

A tour de force. Mr Everett is a brilliant writer. My only regret is that I read it so quickly. It reads like a thriller. Despite having seen the film and loved it I kept feeling that on every page the 'plug was going to be pulled'. Thank you Rupert.

I really enjoyed this book , and can sympathise with Rupert Everett's need to realise his dream of making a film about the last days of Oscar Wilde. The struggles over the years to finance and make the film is illuminating, heartbreaking and finally uplifting, but not an easy experience at all. Although this, along with Rupert's reflections on his at times dwindling career is the core of the book, the real joy to me is the many observations and insights into the places he visits, all beautifully described, and the very colourful array of people that he encounters, which in turn gives us more fascinating information as he travels with at times the ghost of Oscar Wilde. Well worth reading as is seeing the very excellent film 'The Happy Prince' in which Mr. Everett excels.

I actively want to dislike Everett - over-privileged posh boy etc. A friend recommended his first volume of memoir and I was taken aback at how well he writes. He is incisive, poignant and has led a truly extraordinary (and I mean that in the true meaning of the word) life.I'm only a few chapters in, but this book does not disappoint. 'The Happy Prince' is a film to watch - to see Everett portraying Wilde's heartbreaking last years....well.Everett is a fine writer and film-maker; I hope he finds funding easier in future.

I should hate Rupert, a talented actor that can really write, not just tell a story but a genuinely rewarding reading experience. Witty sharp and gossipy is what you expect from Rupert, and you get it, but the writing is sublime and the honesty both touching and breathtaking, a very fine piece of writing in a genre that can be obvious and flabby... This is not. Rich with observations that are both dagger sharp and reflective, as well a# bein* loaded with pathos (but not sentimental) Rupert delivers a masterclass in memoir that should alstroemerias be required reading for wannabe film makers and all actors. Well dear deary.

Excellent book as are all of Rupert Everetts works. Beautifully written, witty and interesting. A brilliant writer and actor who in my opinion is extremely underrated. Watch his film The Happy Prince which is excellent and Ruperts performance is a triumph!

Not so much of the razor sharp ‘claws out’ tell-all stuff, but his passion and determination to get this film made really came through. Rupert is very self-affacing and writes so well. I went straight to watch the film after finishing the book.

I have read Rupert Everett’s previous two memoirs and this was equally brilliant.‘To the Ends of the Earth’ has the added element of being the story of Everett’s obsession with Oscar Wilde and his making of a film about Wilde.Everett’s writing is beautiful. He writes with grace about Wilde and brings Wilde’s haunts (Naples, Northern France) to life. As in his previous work he is funny, descriptive and (above everything) humane.