16 JUNE 1979, page 21

Oscarisms

Benny Green Oscar Wilde, Interviews and Recollec tions Vole I and II Ed. E.H. Mikhail (Mac" millan £12 each) Very often the simplest ideas are best. So much has been written......

Translated

Eriirna Fisher Poems and Journeys Charles Johnston (Bodley Head £3.90) Three Russian Poets Elaine Feinstein (Carcanet £2.80 paper) Ivan the Terrible and Ivan the Fool Yevgeny......