The Judas kiss cover

The Judas kiss

by Hare, David

Oscar Wilde's relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas has inspired contemporary writers for decades. In his account of love tested to destruction, David Hare presents his powerful interpretation of what may have happened behind closed doors between Wilde and Douglas. The Judas Kiss lays bare the drama of two critical moments in Wilde's last years: the day he decides to stay in England and face imprisonment, and the night after his release, two years later, when the lover for whom he risked and lost everything betrays him. The Judas Kiss presents the consequences of taking an uncompromisingly moral position in a world defined by fear, expedience, and conformity.

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Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?