
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.
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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)
hmm that was funky
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
It just didn’t work for me
Read as a teenager some time ago. Still resonates today.
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.
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.
One of my top 5. No, top 2 or 3.
The writing is excellent.
Slow paced, dull characters and the premise feels underutilized.
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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