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The Confessions of Dorian Gray
The Picture of Dorian Gray
"If only I could remain young while the picture grows old. For that I’d give anything…"
When Dorian Gray, a handsome young man about town, makes this wish, he can hardly guess that it will mark the beginning of a life of hedonism and debauchery.
Soon enough, his webs of deception and deceit catch innocent victims, some of them his closest friends, and the only evidence of his misdeeds is a long-forgotten portrait in his attic…
Oscar Wilde’s notorious novel is presented in this tense, full-cast audiobook adaptation, dramatised by David Llewellyn.
When Dorian Gray, a handsome young man about town, makes this wish, he can hardly guess that it will mark the beginning of a life of hedonism and debauchery.
Soon enough, his webs of deception and deceit catch innocent victims, some of them his closest friends, and the only evidence of his misdeeds is a long-forgotten portrait in his attic…
Oscar Wilde’s notorious novel is presented in this tense, full-cast audiobook adaptation, dramatised by David Llewellyn.
3 pages, Audio CD
First published July 1, 1890
40 people want to read
About the author
David Llewellyn
111 books33 followersDavid Llewellyn is a Welsh novelist and script writer. He grew up in Pontypool and graduated from Dartington College of Arts in 2000. His first novel, Eleven, was published by Seren Press in 2006. His second, Trace Memory, a spin-off from the BBC drama series Torchwood, was published in March 2008. Everything Is Sinister was published by Seren in May 2008. He has written two novels for the Doctor Who New Series Adventures: The Taking of Chelsea 426, featuring the Tenth Doctor, and Night of the Humans, featuring the Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond.
In addition to writing novels, Llewellyn wrote the Bernice Summerfield audio play Paradise Frost and the Dark Shadows audio drama The Last Stop for Big Finish Productions.
Llewellyn lives in Cardiff.
In addition to writing novels, Llewellyn wrote the Bernice Summerfield audio play Paradise Frost and the Dark Shadows audio drama The Last Stop for Big Finish Productions.
Llewellyn lives in Cardiff.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 9, 2017
"What does it profit a man if gains the whole world but loses his soul."
I still don't know what I'm waiting for to read the book O.o but this adaptation was formidable! And Mr. Vlahos, you have such a magnificient voice, it only makes the listener enjoy it more and more!
I still don't know what I'm waiting for to read the book O.o but this adaptation was formidable! And Mr. Vlahos, you have such a magnificient voice, it only makes the listener enjoy it more and more!
February 14, 2017
Now this is the way to do an audiobook... with a full cast! Everyone was brilliant and made the story come alive a lot more than just one reader.
I am probably one of the last people who didn't really know Dorian Gray's story. A handsome young man about town who during a sitting for a portrait made the mistake of saying out loud that he would sell his soul to remain as youthful and vibrant as he was in the moment his portrait was painted. His wish comes true and all his misdeeds are evidenced in that very portrait. I never knew what a jerk Dorian was and he doesn't get any better as the story went on. Thankfully, the other adaptations in the series take a more forgiving and lighter approach to the character. I really enjoyed Alexander Vlahos' performance and that of the entire cast. Can't wait to listen to the other episodes!
I am probably one of the last people who didn't really know Dorian Gray's story. A handsome young man about town who during a sitting for a portrait made the mistake of saying out loud that he would sell his soul to remain as youthful and vibrant as he was in the moment his portrait was painted. His wish comes true and all his misdeeds are evidenced in that very portrait. I never knew what a jerk Dorian was and he doesn't get any better as the story went on. Thankfully, the other adaptations in the series take a more forgiving and lighter approach to the character. I really enjoyed Alexander Vlahos' performance and that of the entire cast. Can't wait to listen to the other episodes!
February 17, 2016
I like this book so much that I lost count how many time I've read it, and this audio version was so good that when I finished it I wanted to go back and listening to it all over again.
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September 4, 2017
This was interesting.
This audiobook is actually made up of several parts. There's a dramatized version of Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, interviews with the producer of the adaptation, the author of the adaptation, and Alexander Vlahos (the actor who voices Dorian), the first installment of the Confessions of Dorian Gray series, and a selection of music.
To take each of these in turn:
The picture of Dorian Gray (adaptation/dramatized) - This is a full cast dramatization of the story, and not a narration of the actual text. It sort of reminds me of the full cast adaptation of Carmilla with David Tennant and Rose Leslie that I listened to a couple of years ago. I found it to be quite delightful. The cast were all excellent at their parts, with high marks going to Alexander Vlahos as Dorian. Being a dramatization, things that were subtext in the original work were brought right out into the open here. Some things were changed a bit, but they very heart of the story, and all major plot points were there. If you don't mind adaptations, I'd say this is worth a listen.
Interviews - Are pretty much standard interviews. Interesting, but nothing to write home over.
The Confessions of Dorian Gray (This World Our Hell) - The basis of the series is that Dorian Gray is a real man, and that his friendship with Oscar Wilde is what prompted Wilde to write a book about Dorian. From what I gather, the series follows Dorian throughout the passage of time--stories are set in different eras. This one is set in 1900, and it finds Dorian in Paris visiting Mr. Wilde, who is on his death bed. It's not an overly long story, maybe about 30 minutes total, but I did find it entertaining, and might look into others in the series.
Music - The musical selection by James Dunlop was quite lovely. It's something I could see myself listening to more than once for sure.
This audiobook is actually made up of several parts. There's a dramatized version of Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, interviews with the producer of the adaptation, the author of the adaptation, and Alexander Vlahos (the actor who voices Dorian), the first installment of the Confessions of Dorian Gray series, and a selection of music.
To take each of these in turn:
The picture of Dorian Gray (adaptation/dramatized) - This is a full cast dramatization of the story, and not a narration of the actual text. It sort of reminds me of the full cast adaptation of Carmilla with David Tennant and Rose Leslie that I listened to a couple of years ago. I found it to be quite delightful. The cast were all excellent at their parts, with high marks going to Alexander Vlahos as Dorian. Being a dramatization, things that were subtext in the original work were brought right out into the open here. Some things were changed a bit, but they very heart of the story, and all major plot points were there. If you don't mind adaptations, I'd say this is worth a listen.
Interviews - Are pretty much standard interviews. Interesting, but nothing to write home over.
The Confessions of Dorian Gray (This World Our Hell) - The basis of the series is that Dorian Gray is a real man, and that his friendship with Oscar Wilde is what prompted Wilde to write a book about Dorian. From what I gather, the series follows Dorian throughout the passage of time--stories are set in different eras. This one is set in 1900, and it finds Dorian in Paris visiting Mr. Wilde, who is on his death bed. It's not an overly long story, maybe about 30 minutes total, but I did find it entertaining, and might look into others in the series.
Music - The musical selection by James Dunlop was quite lovely. It's something I could see myself listening to more than once for sure.
July 28, 2016
A wonderful adaption! Loved this full cast audio drama.
January 31, 2018
Love listening to Alex say anything. Sigh.
August 27, 2023
This audio-adaptation is brilliant, I think I actually enjoyed it more than the original novella (and that feels almost sacrilegious to type). Big Finish Productions did a wonderful job with it, I can’t wait to start the series that was developed from the story.
August 22, 2024
Dorian Gray has meant a lot to me for nearly twenty years-- his impetuousness, his corruption, and his shame have been a consolation in my own rocky personal growth and a road map for how easily the darkness creeps in if you don't keep your guard. Dorian is not the hero of his story, he's the villain-- who is utterly convinced of his own worthiness every step of the way. And Alexander Vlahos gives one of the most sympathetic and scary performances of the character I've ever heard. (And trust me, I've heard a lot.) There are no weak links in this voice cast, though the occasional (but inevitable) semi-explicit deviations from the novel make it unsuitable for younger audiences. This is a beautiful adaption that will make you love, hate, and sympathize with Dorian, just as much as he does himself.
August 5, 2020
Superb adaptation to Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray by David Llewellyn.
The dark, witty and charm of the original novel is captured well and the dialogue is what achieves it. Love Alexander Vlahos portraying Dorian (and pushes me to listen to the Confession series) and Miles Richardson delivers Lord Henry Wotten to perfection; I can't picture another person to do a better job to deliver the character.
The blend of full cast and narration of Dorian's thoughts was so well done.
It has a tough task of the original works (obviously) but I rate this release quite high. Convinced me to get into The Confessions of Dorian Gray.
The dark, witty and charm of the original novel is captured well and the dialogue is what achieves it. Love Alexander Vlahos portraying Dorian (and pushes me to listen to the Confession series) and Miles Richardson delivers Lord Henry Wotten to perfection; I can't picture another person to do a better job to deliver the character.
The blend of full cast and narration of Dorian's thoughts was so well done.
It has a tough task of the original works (obviously) but I rate this release quite high. Convinced me to get into The Confessions of Dorian Gray.
December 31, 2024
This was a wonderful adaptation of a classic I have not appreciated on my first reading
Record also includes First episode of Series 1 of Confessions of Dorian Gray which is actually the reason I started this book
So far I have only listened Series 1-2-3 of Confessions but they are all brilliantly written stories that span hundreds of years of Dorians life(in a alternate reality Dorian was a friend of Wilde he wrote about and in reality never stabbed his portrait)
I recommend the series to anyone
Record also includes First episode of Series 1 of Confessions of Dorian Gray which is actually the reason I started this book
So far I have only listened Series 1-2-3 of Confessions but they are all brilliantly written stories that span hundreds of years of Dorians life(in a alternate reality Dorian was a friend of Wilde he wrote about and in reality never stabbed his portrait)
I recommend the series to anyone
June 21, 2024
This is an outstanding drama of the book The Picture of Dorian Gray. This is the production company that also did the outstanding Confessions of Dorian Gray series. Alexander Vlahos is superb as Dorian. The cast is excellent and really captures the spirit of the book. Once the story concludes, there are cast and creator behind the scenes interviews, the first episode of the Confessions of Dorian Gray series and selections from the haunting soundtrack. Pure audio delight!
June 26, 2020
I enjoyed this adaptation a lot. I must admit that I haven't read the original (though how can one not be familiar with the gist of the story, at this point in time?), but I always meant to read it, so I figured this was a way in. Worth it.
October 28, 2022
A decent adaptation. I do prefer much of the Confessions stories, though. That's my Dorian, I guess you could say. Which might sound odd given this is the same voice actor, but it is two different worlds.
July 11, 2018
Interesting. Though I'm not sure I agree with Wilde's definition of sin.
November 15, 2018
What an amazing audiobook!! Highly recommend this version.
November 6, 2020
I already love the story of Dorian Grey, but this Audio book adaption is amazing. I had to listen to it a second time.
October 31, 2025
It only feels reviewing this solely on its basis as an adaptation as opposed to a review of the original work is appropriate. David Llewellyn did an incredible job with this, true to the heart of the story; with the shortened moments not feeling like a truncated series of scenes. Dorians hedonist exploits are kept mentioned as opposed to shown, giving the story a maturity that doesn’t border on the explicit. As a writer he really understood the full circle nature of the Picture Of Dorian Gray and was able to replicate that with his own originality; something I imagine others would have failed at.
Alexander Vlahos was born to play Dorian Gray, the nuances in his voice; his tone, pitch, all carry the change in the nature of the character without all the prose. Miles Richardson makes an amazing Henry Wutton, his epigrams playing with such pithy wit, you can feel him as the ear-worm in Dorians ear. Marcus Hutton plays Basil Hallward beautifully, his love for Dorian clear from the beginning, yet Dorian’s obliviousness to it gives his return later in the story greater drama, as he plays the character with the same angst and timidity as before, but this time matched with a more ruthless Dorian.
The key moments of the book are acted out with such emotion and power that you really cannot stop listening. The deaths, suicides, and the violent descent into debauchery and sin really feel like you are progressing through the story with Dorian, as opposed to following on about him. I did feel that the importance placed on the portrait was a bit light, and I felt given it is the pivotal aspect of the story; it should perhaps have been highlighted more. I did love how subtle the scene is where Dorian does sell his soul is, no dramatic music or bombast, simply just him partaking in conversation as if it were nothing.
I think this was excellent and I really can’t think of anything I’d want done differently, I think it’s just a shame that the adaptation couldn’t be longer.
Alexander Vlahos was born to play Dorian Gray, the nuances in his voice; his tone, pitch, all carry the change in the nature of the character without all the prose. Miles Richardson makes an amazing Henry Wutton, his epigrams playing with such pithy wit, you can feel him as the ear-worm in Dorians ear. Marcus Hutton plays Basil Hallward beautifully, his love for Dorian clear from the beginning, yet Dorian’s obliviousness to it gives his return later in the story greater drama, as he plays the character with the same angst and timidity as before, but this time matched with a more ruthless Dorian.
The key moments of the book are acted out with such emotion and power that you really cannot stop listening. The deaths, suicides, and the violent descent into debauchery and sin really feel like you are progressing through the story with Dorian, as opposed to following on about him. I did feel that the importance placed on the portrait was a bit light, and I felt given it is the pivotal aspect of the story; it should perhaps have been highlighted more. I did love how subtle the scene is where Dorian does sell his soul is, no dramatic music or bombast, simply just him partaking in conversation as if it were nothing.
I think this was excellent and I really can’t think of anything I’d want done differently, I think it’s just a shame that the adaptation couldn’t be longer.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews