130,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Overnight NZ-wide delivery 🚀 Auckland Bookstore • Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

Only Dull People Are Brilliant at Breakfast

By Oscar Wilde
Penguin Classics
Series: Penguin Little Black Classics
0.0 (0 reviews)
3.92 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating. ( 20,184 ratings, 3,979 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Only Dull People Are Brilliant at Breakfast by Oscar Wilde is a delightful collection that celebrates Wilde's sharp wit and keen observations on society, culture, and human nature. Compiled from some of his most famous quotes, the book offers insights into the thoughts of one of the most celebrated authors of his time, encapsulating themes of art, beauty, and the folly of social conventions. It serves as a testament to Wilde's enduring appeal as a master of epigrams and humour.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$900
Elsewhere:
$999
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you're intrigued by witty and thought-provoking commentary on the quirks of society, you might enjoy this collection which showcases Oscar Wilde's sharp humour and brilliant observations on the human condition, particularly in the realms of arts and culture. Wilde's playful and clever insights make it appealing for those who appreciate intellectual satire and timeless epigrams.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Gives readers a taste of the Classics' huge range and diversity, with works from around the world and across the centuries - including fables, decadence, heartbreak, tall tales, satire, ghosts, battles and elephants.

Wilde's celebrated witticisms on the dangers of sincerity, duplicitous biographers, the stupidity of the English - and his own genius.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946 'It would be unfair to expect other people to be as remarkable as oneself'

Series: Penguin Little Black Classics

View all
  • White Nights
    46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946 My God! A whole minute of bliss! Is that really so little for the whole of a man's life?
    By Fyodor Dostoyevsky
    Paperback
    $1200
    Elsewhere:
    $1299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    11% off
    Letters to a Young Poet
    46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946 What matters is to live everything. Live the questions for now.
    By Rainer Maria Rilke
    Paperback
    $800
    Elsewhere:
    $999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Communist Manifesto
    Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary. One of 80 Little Black Classics - 80 books at 80 pence each to celebrate Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of the Penguin Classics list - from drama to poetry, from fiction to history, with books taken from around the world...
    By Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx
    Paperback
    $900
    Elsewhere:
    $999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Book of Tea
    46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. "Meanwhile, let us have a sip of tea. The afternoon glow is brightening the bamboos, the fountains are bubbling with delight, the soughing of the pines is heard in our kettle." In this charming book from 1906, Okakura explores Zen, Taoism,...
    By Kakuzo Okakura
    Paperback
    $900
    Elsewhere:
    $999
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • To Be Read at Dusk
    46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. The monstrous thought came into my mind as I perused the fixed eyes and the saturnine face, that this was a spirit, not a man.
    By Charles Dickens
    Paperback
    $999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • A Nervous Breakdown
    46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946 \"I did have hallucinations, but did they harm anyone? Who did they harm, that's what I'd like to know!'
    By Anton Chekhov
    Paperback
    $999
    Backorder
    Ships mid November
  • Why I Am so Clever
    46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. Why I Am so Clever Why do I know a few more things? Why am I so clever altogether?
    By Friedrich Nietzsche
    Paperback
    $900
    Elsewhere:
    $999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Matilda
    46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. Matilda by Mary Shelley is a compelling and haunting tale of forbidden emotions and tragic destinies. "I gained his secret and we were both lost for ever." This evocative narrative follows the tumultuous life of Matilda, delving into themes of isolation...
    By Mary Shelley
    Paperback
    $900
    Elsewhere:
    $999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Anecdotes of the Cynics
    46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. Anecdotes of the Cynics It's you who are the dogs... These tales capture the wit and wisdom of the Cynics, exploring their unique philosophical perspectives through engaging anecdotes.
    Paperback
    $900
    Elsewhere:
    $999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The World is Full of Foolish Men
    46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. The pleasure is twice as sweet When you cheat a cheat. The World is Full of Foolish Men by Jean de la Fontaine captures the essence of these timeless words, enticing readers into a world of wit and wisdom.
    By Jean de la Fontaine
    Paperback
    $999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • A Modern Detective
    46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946 He is fond of enigmas, of conundrums, hieroglyphics; exhibiting in his solutions of each a degree of acumen which appears to the ordinary apprehension praeternatural.
    By Edgar Allan Poe
    Paperback
    $900
    Elsewhere:
    $999
    Backorder
    Ships mid November
  • Only Dull People Are Brilliant at Breakfast
    46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946 'It would be unfair to expect other people to be as remarkable as oneself'
    By Oscar Wilde
    Paperback
    $900
    Elsewhere:
    $999
    In Stock
    Ships today

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241251805

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 March 2016

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 5.0mm

Width: 110.0mm

Height: 161.0mm

Weight: 55g

Pages: 64

Collections

Arts & Culture Best Sellers at Book Hero Best Selling Books Biography & Memoir In Stock Arts & Culture Books In Stock Books New Zealand's Best Selling Books Non-Fiction Oscar Wilde Penguin Books Penguin Classics Penguin Classics: Arts & Culture Series: Penguin Little Black Classics

About the Author

Born in Ireland, Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (1854-1900) was educated in Dublin & Oxford and went on to become the leading and most prominent exponent of flamboyant aestheticism. As well as his many plays, he wrote one novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890), and published several volumes of poetry and criticism. He was imprisoned in 1895 for homosexual offences and after his release he died in exile in Paris.

Also by Oscar Wilde

View all
  • On Sale
    27% off
    The Picture of Dorian Gray
    HarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics. The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. When Basil Hallward paints the portrait of young, handsome Dorian Gray, he falls prey to his dazzling beauty. Afraid that his youth and looks will waste away, Dorian expresses a wish that his portrait,...
    By Oscar Wilde
    Paperback
    $800
    Usually:
    $1099
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray
    The Picture of Dorian Gray is Oscar Wilde's only novel—dark, captivating, and intensely Victorian. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY IRVINE WELSH Dorian is a good-natured young man until he discovers the power of his own exceptional beauty. As he gradually sinks deep into a frivolous, glamorous world of selfish luxury, he apparently remains physically unchanged by the stresses of his corrupt...
    By Oscar Wilde
    Paperback
    $2300
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray
    On Sale
    11% off
    The Picture of Dorian Gray
    A beautiful deluxe gift edition of Oscar Wilde's decadent and disturbing novel with foiled covers, marbled endpapers, sprayed edges, beautiful paper and finished with a silk ribbon. The Picture of Dorian Gray is a tale of a good-natured young man named Dorian, who discovers the power of his own exceptional beauty. As he gradually sinks deep into a frivolous, glamorous...
    By Oscar Wilde
    Hardback
    $3100
    Elsewhere:
    $4500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray
    This beautifully designed, clothbound edition is part of Penguin's hardback Clothbound Classics series, crafted by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith. These delectable and collectible editions are bound in high-quality colourful, tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design. Enthralled by his own exquisite portrait, Dorian Gray exchanges his soul for eternal youth and beauty. Influenced by his friend Lord Henry Wotton,...
    By Oscar Wilde
    Hardback
    $3600
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray: Popular Penguins
    The Picture of Dorian Gray: Popular Penguins by Oscar Wilde is a haunting exploration of vanity, moral corruption, and the quest for eternal youth. Set against the backdrop of Victorian London, the novel tells the story of a handsome young man, Dorian Gray, who becomes the muse of the painter Basil Hallward. Captivated by Dorian's beauty, Basil creates a magnificent...
    By Oscar Wilde
    Paperback
    $1599
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray
    A stunning new edition with deluxe cover treatments, ribbon markers, luxury endpapers, and gilded edges. The unabridged text is accompanied by a Glossary of Victorian and Literary terms produced for the modern reader. The young, beautiful, and highly susceptible Dorian Gray is pulled into the hedonistic haze of London's high society, where he falls under the pernicious influence of Lord...
    By Oscar Wilde
    Hardback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 1 week
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray (The Gothic Chronicles Collection)
    Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, a beloved Gothic masterpiece of supernatural terror and a #booktok sensation, is now available in an exquisite hardcover edition. Featuring a foiled cover and distinctive interior design elements, it's an ideal gift for literature lovers, fans of gothic horror and allegorical literature,...
    By Oscar Wilde
    Hardback
    $4300
    Elsewhere:
    $4700
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Star-Child
    Introducing Little Clothbound Classics—irresistible, mini editions of short stories, novellas, and essays from the world's greatest writers, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith. With warmth, tenderness, and quiet wit, Oscar Wilde's fables and fairy tales have moved and delighted for generations. In far-off kingdoms and ocean realms, in the company of giants and nightingales, Wilde speaks of heartbreak and redemption,...
    By Oscar Wilde
    Hardback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray
    The new paperback series - Penguin English Library The Penguin English Library Edition of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde 'I am jealous of everything whose beauty does not die. I am jealous of the portrait you have painted of me ... Why did you paint it? It will mock me some day - mock me horribly!' A...
    By Oscar Wilde
    Paperback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    Backorder
    Ships mid November
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray
    HarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics. How sad it is! I shall grow old, and horrid, and dreadful. But this picture will remain always young… If it was only the other way! The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde's first and only published novel, recounts the story of handsome Dorian Gray who, upon having his...
    By Oscar Wilde
    Paperback
    $1299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • On Sale
    30% off
    De Profundis and Other Prison Writings
    De Profundis and Other Prison Writings by Oscar Wilde offers a profound glimpse into the soul of one of literature's most enigmatic figures during his darkest hours. This collection, edited with an insightful introduction by Colm Tóibín, compiles Wilde's poignant letters and poems penned during his incarceration. It reveals the extraordinary depths of Wilde's emotional and intellectual resilience amidst adversity,...
    By Oscar Wilde
    Paperback
    $2100
    Usually:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Uncensored Picture of Dorian Gray
    More than 120 years after Oscar Wilde submitted The Picture of Dorian Gray for publication in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine, the uncensored version of his novel appears here for the first time in a paperback edition. This volume restores all of the material removed by the novel's first editor. Upon receipt of the typescript, Wilde's editor panicked at what he saw....
    By Oscar Wilde
    Paperback
    $4599
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks

More from Arts & Culture

View all
  • Dylan's Pick
    Bold Types
    A tribute to 32 truly independent bookshops throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, from north of Auckland down to Dunedin, and coast to coast. Jane Ussher's photographs show every bookstore in its unique nature - including behind the counter, smoko rooms, the mess which tells the hardworking story behind the joy of matching books with customers. Jemma Moreira's careful editing has crafted...
    By Jane Ussher
    Hardback
    $5999
    Elsewhere:
    $7000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    I’ll Believe in Anything
    From Jacob Tierney, the creator of Heated Rivalry, in partnership with Brendan Brady and Accent Aigu, comes I’ll Believe in Anything, an official and complete collection of annotated scripts for the biggest cultural sensation of the year, with all new exclusive behind-the-scenes content.Based on Rachel Reid’s blockbuster Game Changers book series, Heated Rivalry premiered on Crave and HBO in late 2025 and immediately took the world by storm. I’ll...
    By Jacob Tierney
    Hardback
    $5499
    Elsewhere:
    $6000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    16% off
    New Release
    Shirl's Pick Shirl's Pick
    Home Again
    Join rock-legend, former Shihad frontman and lead singer of The Adults, Jon Toogood in this unflinching and no-holds-barred memoir Home Again.This is more than a rock story. Toogood looks back on a 37-year career that helped define New Zealand rock music, and the personal cost that came with it. From a music-obsessed childhood in Wellington to the deafening roar of international stages, this...
    By Jon Toogood
    Paperback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    20% off
    The Odyssey
    Composed at the rosy-fingered dawn of world literature almost three millennia ago, The Odyssey is a poem about violence and the aftermath of war; about wealth, poverty and power; about marriage and family; about travellers, hospitality, and the yearning for home. This fresh, authoritative translation captures the beauty of this ancient poem as well as the drama of its narrative....
    By Homer
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $3599
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    21% off
    The Iliad
    When Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey appeared in 2017—revealing the ancient poem in a contemporary idiom that was "fresh, unpretentious and lean" (Madeline Miller, Washington Post)—critics lauded it as "a revelation" (Susan Chira, New York Times) and "a cultural landmark" (Charlotte Higgins, Guardian) that would forever change how Homer is read in English. Now Wilson has returned with an...
    By Homer
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook
    On Sale
    20% off
    Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook
    Embark on a culinary adventure with Moana of Motunui with Pacific recipes inspired by Moana and Moana 2! After a long day of sailing to see how far you’ll go or keeping the demigod Maui out of trouble with Te Fiti, catch a break with the delicious dishes in Moana: The Official Cookbook! Featuring more than 50 recipes spanning the...
    By Monique Fiso
    Hardback
    $3600
    Elsewhere:
    $5299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    A Life in Lyrics
    Freddie Mercury was one of the greatest showmen of the twentieth century. With his unparalleled voice and searing on-stage energy, he was a great pretender, a killer queen and a champion of the world. But behind the glamour lived a musician and lyricist talented beyond measure, and the creative force behind one of the most culturally significant and musically diverse...
    By Freddie Mercury
    Hardback
    $5000
    Elsewhere:
    $6500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Birdlands Birdlands
    New Release
    Birdlands
    A rare, intimate journey into the wild islands where Aotearoa's birds live beyond the reach of most human lives. In the most remote outposts of Aotearoa, our islands are populated not with people, but with birds. From the storm-lashed Subantarctic Islands in the deep south to the scattered volcanic islands of Tikapa Moana/Hauraki Gulf in the north, Birdlands offers a...
    By Edin Whitehead
    Hardback
    $4199
    Elsewhere:
    $5000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    21% off
    This Angry Pen of Mine
    This Angry Pen of Mine by Layne Staley invites you to dive into the untold creative world of Layne Staley, the legendary voice behind Alice in Chains. This extraordinary collection showcases his handwritten lyrics, deeply personal poetry, stunning original artwork, rare photos, fan tributes, and so much more. Step into the world of Layne Staley like never before. For the...
    By Layne Staley
    Hardback
    $5800
    Elsewhere:
    $8999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Artist's Way
    The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron is a transformative guidebook that has captivated millions, including luminaries such as Elizabeth Gilbert and Tim Ferriss. With its profound ability to inspire and elevate, this book invites readers to embark on an enriching creative journey, fostering a deeper connection to one's artistic process and sense of purpose. The heart of Cameron's groundbreaking programme...
    By Julia Cameron
    Paperback
    $3700
    Elsewhere:
    $4500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Split Enz
    New Release
    Split Enz
    'My favourite band. Ever! And certainly the best dressed.' Sam Neill Split Enz were never designed to fit. Emerging from art school mischief in early-1970s New Zealand, they turned pop into surreal theatre: costume, character and melody colliding in a rock band that refused to behave like one. At the centre of that vision was Noel Crombie—percussionist, performer and the...
    By Michael Dwyer and Noel Crombie
    Hardback
    $5199
    Elsewhere:
    $6500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • They Bloom Because of You
    Bestselling author and Instagram sensation Jessica Urlichs returns with a new collection of beautifully observed poems about the ever-evolving journey of motherhood - the hard, the magic and the fleeting. ‘A raw and honest read that makes you feel seen and understood in a way that will bring you to tears.’ - Hilary Swank ‘A book to keep close and...
    By Jessica Urlichs
    Paperback
    $3000
    Elsewhere:
    $3600
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

Arts & Culture lists from the team

Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

The Latest at Book Hero

View all