D. C. Rose, Goldsmiths College, University of London

I write in the aftermath of the Jeffrey Archer case, which brought a fantasy life under legal scrutiny. It is very hard to distinguish fact from fantasy in Harris: a thing may be true despite the fact that Harris says it is true. Robert Sherard's detailed attack on Harris' book on Wilde shows Harris at his worse, but Sherard's own books on Wilde are prodigal with the truth. [I also write as editor of THE OSCHOLARS, a free, academic monthly electronic journal available only by e-mail, which is devoted to current research on Wilde and his circle - an e-mail to will bring a trial copy.]