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The Picture of Dorian Gray

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The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is a classic tale exploring the consequences of vanity and moral degradation. The story follows Dorian Gray, a young man who makes a Faustian deal to retain his youth and beauty while his portrait ages and reflects the consequences of his debauched lifestyle. The novel delves into themes of the value of youth, the meaning of life, and the impact of one's actions on oneself and others, leaving readers pondering questions of free will and self-improvement. Wilde's writing style is described as brilliant, witty, and horrifying, with a focus on decadence, morality, and the consequences of one's choices.

Characters:

The characters include the vain and corrupt Dorian Gray, the cynical Lord Henry, and the moral artist Basil Hallward, who struggles with his feelings for Dorian.

Writing/Prose:

Wilde's prose is lush and poetic, often filled with epigrams and intricate details, which sometimes hinders the pacing.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around Dorian Gray, who wishes to remain eternally youthful while his portrait ages. This leads him into a life of hedonism and moral decay, with his sins manifesting in the portrait.

Setting:

The setting is Victorian England, highlighting the moral decay within high society.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven, with significant slowdowns during philosophical discussions and descriptions, but picks up in intensity in the latter half.
The studio was filled with the rich odour of roses, and when the light summer wind stirred amidst the trees of the garden there came through the open door the heavy scent of the lilac, or the more del...

Notes:

The Picture of Dorian Gray was first published in 1890 and is Oscar Wilde's only novel.
The novel explores themes of vanity, moral corruption, and the relationship between beauty and morality.
Dorian Gray wishes that his portrait would age instead of him, leading to his descent into hedonism and immorality.
Lord Henry Wotton serves as the antagonist, influencing Dorian to embrace a life of excess and sin.
The character of Dorian Gray has often been interpreted as a reflection of Wilde's own struggles with identity and society.
Wilde's writing is known for its clever epigrams, many of which have become famous quotes.
The novel critiques the superficiality of society and the dangers of aestheticism without moral responsibility.
The story has been adapted into numerous films, plays, and other media since its publication.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include themes of drug use, suicide, murder, and moral corruption, as well as misogyny and classism representative of Victorian attitudes.

From The Publisher:

Dorian Gray is having his picture painted by Basil Hallward, who is charmed by his looks. But when Sir Henry Wotton visits and seduces Dorian into the worship of youthful beauty with an intoxicating speech, Dorian makes a wish he will live to regret: that all the marks of age will now be reflected in the portrait rather than on Dorian's own face. The stage is now set for a masterful tale about appearance, reality, art, life, truth, fiction and the burden of conscience.

Oscar Wilde's only full-length novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a lasting gem of sophisticated wit and playfulness, which brings together all the best elements of his talent in a reinterpretation of the Faustian myth.

Ratings (651)

Incredible (103)
Loved It (198)
Liked It (220)
It Was OK (87)
Did Not Like (35)
Hated It (8)

Reader Stats (1278):

Read It (684)
Currently Reading (13)
Want To Read (369)
Did Not Finish (28)
Not Interested (184)

10 comment(s)

Incredible
1 week

hmm that was funky

 
Incredible
1 week

I really wanted to take my time on this novel to really absorb the story as I only remembered fragments from the forst read. Oscar Wilde was such a good writer and definitely worth rereading

 
Did Not Like
3 months

It just didn’t work for me

 
Incredible
4 months

Read as a teenager some time ago. Still resonates today.

 
Loved It
5 months

If I’m being honest with myself, I feel conflicted about

The Picture of Dorian Gray. On the one hand, I love the themes the book tackles.

Dorian Gray represents the antithesis of who I want to be—superficial, vain, narcissistic, hypocritical, and materialistic. His obsession with aesthetics makes me wonder if I do things only to push a certain aesthetic narrative about myself. I wonder if my art is motivated by an adulterated need to express, or if I only make art to characterize myself a certain way. Additionally, the passages about all of Dorian Gray’s beautiful belongings reminds me, maybe somewhat uncharitably, of those closet tour videos in which the owners show all of their expensive clothing and accessories.

On the other hand, I really didn’t enjoy all the passages about Dorian’s belongings. The contrast between truly horrible goings-ons followed by high society characters casually chatting in their sitting rooms gives me extreme whiplash, though that’s probably the point. The characters have lost touch with reality to the extent that they can’t feel the horror of their own actions. Also, I could have done without the antisemitism.

I’m awarding

The Picture of Dorian Gray four stars because I do think the ending’s marvelous, and I love the themes. I will probably have to circle back to the book because there are several elements I didn’t fully understand.

 
Liked It
5 months

I felt more sympathy for the side characters more than Dorian Gray. Alan, Sibyl, James and especially Basil! Lord Harry is something else I have no love for him.

 
Incredible
8 months

One of my top 5. No, top 2 or 3.

 
Liked It
8 months

The writing is excellent.

 
Did Not Like
11 months

Slow paced, dull characters and the premise feels underutilized.

 
Liked It
11 months

A classic tale of beware what you wish for

 

About the Author:

Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin in 1856. In the years following his graduation from Oxford in 1878 he published poems and stories which included The Picture of Dorian Gray. Lady Windermere's Fan was produced in 1892, A Woman of No Importance in 1893 and An Ideal Husband and The Importance of Being Earnest in 1895. Later work included De Profundis and The Ballad of Reading Gaol. He died in 1900.

 
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