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The Picture of Dorian Gray and Other Writings
Flamboyant fin-de-siecle literary figure Oscar Wilde was a dazzling personality, a master of wit, and a dramatic genius whose sparkling comedies contain some of the most brilliant dialogue ever written for the English stage. Here in one volume are his immensely popular novel, THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY; his last literary work, THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL, a product of his own prison experience; and four complete plays: LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN, his first dramatic success; AN IDEAL HUSBAND, which continued to poke fun at conventional morality; THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, his finest comedy, and SALOME, a portrait of uncontrollable love originally wiritten in Franch, now in a new translation by Richard Ellmann. Every selection appears in its entirety - a marvelous collection of outstanding works by the incomparable Oscar Wilde, whom Max Beerbohm so aptly labeled "a lord of language".
Hardcover
Published January 1, 1982
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About the author
Oscar Wilde
5,530 books38.9k followersOscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish poet and playwright. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular playwrights in London in the early 1890s. He is best remembered for his epigrams and plays, his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, and his criminal conviction for gross indecency for homosexual acts.
Wilde's parents were Anglo-Irish intellectuals in Dublin. In his youth, Wilde learned to speak fluent French and German. At university, he read Greats; he demonstrated himself to be an exceptional classicist, first at Trinity College Dublin, then at Magdalen College, Oxford. He became associated with the emerging philosophy of aestheticism, led by two of his tutors, Walter Pater and John Ruskin. After university, Wilde moved to London into fashionable cultural and social circles.
Wilde tried his hand at various literary activities: he wrote a play, published a book of poems, lectured in the United States and Canada on "The English Renaissance" in art and interior decoration, and then returned to London where he lectured on his American travels and wrote reviews for various periodicals. Known for his biting wit, flamboyant dress and glittering conversational skill, Wilde became one of the best-known personalities of his day. At the turn of the 1890s, he refined his ideas about the supremacy of art in a series of dialogues and essays, and incorporated themes of decadence, duplicity, and beauty into what would be his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890). Wilde returned to drama, writing Salome (1891) in French while in Paris, but it was refused a licence for England due to an absolute prohibition on the portrayal of Biblical subjects on the English stage. Undiscouraged, Wilde produced four society comedies in the early 1890s, which made him one of the most successful playwrights of late-Victorian London.
At the height of his fame and success, while An Ideal Husband (1895) and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) were still being performed in London, Wilde issued a civil writ against John Sholto Douglas, the 9th Marquess of Queensberry for criminal libel. The Marquess was the father of Wilde's lover, Lord Alfred Douglas. The libel hearings unearthed evidence that caused Wilde to drop his charges and led to his own arrest and criminal prosecution for gross indecency with other males. The jury was unable to reach a verdict and so a retrial was ordered. In the second trial Wilde was convicted and sentenced to two years' hard labour, the maximum penalty, and was jailed from 1895 to 1897. During his last year in prison he wrote De Profundis (published posthumously in abridged form in 1905), a long letter that discusses his spiritual journey through his trials and is a dark counterpoint to his earlier philosophy of pleasure. On the day of his release, he caught the overnight steamer to France, never to return to Britain or Ireland. In France and Italy, he wrote his last work, The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898), a long poem commemorating the harsh rhythms of prison life.
Wilde's parents were Anglo-Irish intellectuals in Dublin. In his youth, Wilde learned to speak fluent French and German. At university, he read Greats; he demonstrated himself to be an exceptional classicist, first at Trinity College Dublin, then at Magdalen College, Oxford. He became associated with the emerging philosophy of aestheticism, led by two of his tutors, Walter Pater and John Ruskin. After university, Wilde moved to London into fashionable cultural and social circles.
Wilde tried his hand at various literary activities: he wrote a play, published a book of poems, lectured in the United States and Canada on "The English Renaissance" in art and interior decoration, and then returned to London where he lectured on his American travels and wrote reviews for various periodicals. Known for his biting wit, flamboyant dress and glittering conversational skill, Wilde became one of the best-known personalities of his day. At the turn of the 1890s, he refined his ideas about the supremacy of art in a series of dialogues and essays, and incorporated themes of decadence, duplicity, and beauty into what would be his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890). Wilde returned to drama, writing Salome (1891) in French while in Paris, but it was refused a licence for England due to an absolute prohibition on the portrayal of Biblical subjects on the English stage. Undiscouraged, Wilde produced four society comedies in the early 1890s, which made him one of the most successful playwrights of late-Victorian London.
At the height of his fame and success, while An Ideal Husband (1895) and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) were still being performed in London, Wilde issued a civil writ against John Sholto Douglas, the 9th Marquess of Queensberry for criminal libel. The Marquess was the father of Wilde's lover, Lord Alfred Douglas. The libel hearings unearthed evidence that caused Wilde to drop his charges and led to his own arrest and criminal prosecution for gross indecency with other males. The jury was unable to reach a verdict and so a retrial was ordered. In the second trial Wilde was convicted and sentenced to two years' hard labour, the maximum penalty, and was jailed from 1895 to 1897. During his last year in prison he wrote De Profundis (published posthumously in abridged form in 1905), a long letter that discusses his spiritual journey through his trials and is a dark counterpoint to his earlier philosophy of pleasure. On the day of his release, he caught the overnight steamer to France, never to return to Britain or Ireland. In France and Italy, he wrote his last work, The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898), a long poem commemorating the harsh rhythms of prison life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 251 reviews
April 26, 2023
Another classic which for a long time I wanted to read, so happy that at last I've done so!!!
It's a novel about the true values of life, the vanity of youth, and the immortality of our soul...
Wrapped up into a mystery thriller this literary gem shines forth teaching us to rethink the approach we take to life itself...
Saturated with Oscar Wildes witticism and full of pointed sarcasm of the upper classes with their false belief of security and superiority, its a real pleasure to read...
It's a novel about the true values of life, the vanity of youth, and the immortality of our soul...
Wrapped up into a mystery thriller this literary gem shines forth teaching us to rethink the approach we take to life itself...
Saturated with Oscar Wildes witticism and full of pointed sarcasm of the upper classes with their false belief of security and superiority, its a real pleasure to read...
February 2, 2014
How have I never read this book until now? Beautifully written, thought-provoking look at the life of a young man who has it all...but pays a great price for it. 4.5 stars because a couple of times Wilde gets bogged down in relaying minute details that add little or nothing to the story itself, but I extremely enjoyed 99% of this book, especially the characters' witty banter. And I appreciate that the author didn't shy away from the only appropriate ending. As Wilde, aka Lord Henry quotes "What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose'—how does the quotation run?—'his own soul'?”
August 12, 2021
I am eternally surprised by the enjoyment I find in classic literature. Maybe it is simply my age, but I am always shocked by the cleverness, the plot-twists, and the subtleties found in the classics. I suppose I was thinking of writing incorrectly, as an evolution with every new century of writers improving upon the last.
The Picture of Dorian Gray has reminded me that I couldn't be more wrong. Oscar Wilde's gothic novel is one that everyone should read, for it is, in my opinion, one of the best works of literature and altogether timeless. Young people, do not shy away because it is a classic. Do not fear this "school book." Believe me, it will exceed your wildest expectations. Its elements of what we now consider urban fantasy, horror, and obsession, balanced with riveting romance, harken to some of the most popular novels of our modern era.
The novel is remarkably readable. I couldn't put it down. The eloquent description paints vivid, exhilarating scenes, and the dialogue filled with Wilde's seemingly endless witty banter. The ideas of life driven only by pleasure and the senses are exhibited elegantly and hauntingly, forcing us to question our own choices. This is in part because the characters in Wilde's tale are compelling and deeply relatable, even 130 years after when they would have lived. Written in the Victorian Era, some more "scandalous" aspects of the story are hidden between the lines, but finding them makes the novel all the more stunning. This is a book that transcends age and time and, much like the portrait itself, will hold its beauty forever.
The Picture of Dorian Gray has reminded me that I couldn't be more wrong. Oscar Wilde's gothic novel is one that everyone should read, for it is, in my opinion, one of the best works of literature and altogether timeless. Young people, do not shy away because it is a classic. Do not fear this "school book." Believe me, it will exceed your wildest expectations. Its elements of what we now consider urban fantasy, horror, and obsession, balanced with riveting romance, harken to some of the most popular novels of our modern era.
The novel is remarkably readable. I couldn't put it down. The eloquent description paints vivid, exhilarating scenes, and the dialogue filled with Wilde's seemingly endless witty banter. The ideas of life driven only by pleasure and the senses are exhibited elegantly and hauntingly, forcing us to question our own choices. This is in part because the characters in Wilde's tale are compelling and deeply relatable, even 130 years after when they would have lived. Written in the Victorian Era, some more "scandalous" aspects of the story are hidden between the lines, but finding them makes the novel all the more stunning. This is a book that transcends age and time and, much like the portrait itself, will hold its beauty forever.
November 6, 2024
Si me gustó pero no me fascinó. Uno de los personajes me aburrió con su superioridad moral 🙄
August 30, 2014
This book was absolutely stunning, it was a shame it didn't contain any of Wilde's poetry or De Profundis but other than that this book was wonderful. The beautiful purple cover with the patterns and gold pages just made this a pleasure to read, I enjoyed picking this up and the feel of it.
The only downside to this is obviously I can't fit this in my handbag, but collection books are supposed to go in handbags so I'm being a little petty.
Wilde is a phenomenal writer and it was a shame his life was cut short due to social prejudice and intolerance. Gorgeous book and I think the Barnes and Noble leather bound classics editions of book would make a wonderful present for anyone, because I sure as hell would love someone eternally for getting me this.
Bit pricey, but for the quality this is actually quite fair and reasonable, and I could not rate this book any higher :)
The only downside to this is obviously I can't fit this in my handbag, but collection books are supposed to go in handbags so I'm being a little petty.
Wilde is a phenomenal writer and it was a shame his life was cut short due to social prejudice and intolerance. Gorgeous book and I think the Barnes and Noble leather bound classics editions of book would make a wonderful present for anyone, because I sure as hell would love someone eternally for getting me this.
Bit pricey, but for the quality this is actually quite fair and reasonable, and I could not rate this book any higher :)
January 17, 2023
Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime, The Devoted Friend, The Fisherman and His Soul, The Star Child, Lady Windermere’s Fan, and A Woman of No Importance are my most favorite stories and plays in this collection. I did not care for Salome at all, but that was the only story in this hefty compilation that I could go without. Overall, this book is quite the gem!
August 2, 2023
დორიან გრეი,წიგნი,რომელმაც კიდევ უფრო მეტად შემაყვარა კლასიკა და ფილოსოფია,კითხვის პროცესი ცოტათი გამეწელა მიუხედავად მწირი მოცულობისა მაგრამ საბოლოო ჯამში გამოდგა უმაგრესი შემოქმედება, რომელმაც ჩემი აზროვნება პატარათი მაინც შეცვალა და მეტი ფილოსოფიური უჯრედი დათესა ჩემს გონებაში🎨
February 28, 2013
OMG! Every time I read this book I discover a new universe. This time it is about love and relationships. How good is this book! I love it!
This is the story of a young; innocent and extremely good looking boy who takes a job as a sitter for a famous painter. When a picture of him is finished; he looks at it with sorrow and wishes not to be ugly or old and have the man in the picture grow older instead of himself. Somehow his wish is granted. Years pass and the boy never ages; but the man in the picture does. Before long; the boy realizes that not only he is always as young as 19; but also that he has lost his soul in the process: he is unable of any feeling of love; sadness or joy. He has became in sum an empty and beautiful canvas. The story is so well written that in some parts the reader feels like a spectator of what is happening. The dialogues; the settings; the descriptions of the exterior and the interior of the characters is wonderful I am never tired of reading it.
This is the story of a young; innocent and extremely good looking boy who takes a job as a sitter for a famous painter. When a picture of him is finished; he looks at it with sorrow and wishes not to be ugly or old and have the man in the picture grow older instead of himself. Somehow his wish is granted. Years pass and the boy never ages; but the man in the picture does. Before long; the boy realizes that not only he is always as young as 19; but also that he has lost his soul in the process: he is unable of any feeling of love; sadness or joy. He has became in sum an empty and beautiful canvas. The story is so well written that in some parts the reader feels like a spectator of what is happening. The dialogues; the settings; the descriptions of the exterior and the interior of the characters is wonderful I am never tired of reading it.
November 4, 2023
This was fantastic, and easily one of the best “classics” I’ve read. I loved the themes about the corruption of the soul, and it was very witty in parts. I felt like the story worked best when there was a lot of dialogue, and there was one particular chapter that was all narration, and the pacing suffered a bit for it. But the story was still fantastic overall. I didn’t know any of the major plot points heading into the book, so there were quite a few moments of suspense, and some nice twists and turns along the way for me. This was a fantastic read for the month of October.
December 4, 2017
This book just wasn't to my personal taste. I had heard great things about this book, yet it just didn't hold my attention for any length of time. What I did read was good writing though. Maybe I will try again at a later time but just now it holds no interest to me.
July 22, 2020
Twenty-something man baby becomes so obsessed with his looks, he wishes to never LOOK old. (The anthem of 90% of males pushing 30.) He embarks on a Seven-Deadly-Sins tour (I suppose), then 20 pages of what fabrics look like, and what smells, smell like.
Still a highly quotable book.
Still a highly quotable book.
February 17, 2016
full review soon
Story 5/5
Character 5/5
Development 5/5
Enjoyment 4/5
Style of writing 4/5
Overall 4.6/5
Story 5/5
Character 5/5
Development 5/5
Enjoyment 4/5
Style of writing 4/5
Overall 4.6/5
January 28, 2021
I want to read more Classics for 2021, so started with Picture of Dorian Gray. The writing is fantastic and I really loved this short novel. Excellent character development, but for me it was truly the writing that made it outstanding.
August 4, 2023
Oh my god what a brilliant book. Perfectly depicts the psychological concept of one’s ideal self and real self. Oscar Wilde flawlessly describes the downfall of a man that occurs due to his own anxiety and unrealistic conditions of self worth. Brilliant.
March 27, 2017
4.25/5 Stars
First off, I fell in love with Oscar Wilde's works when I first saw The Importance of Being Earnest when I was 13. So why not finally sit down and read the rest of his works?
Since this novel was a collection, I shall be breaking this review into parts.
Part One: The Picture of Dorian Gray
This book did not begin how I thought it would. Since it is such a well known classic, I thought I would begin with Dorian Gray already knowing about the painting. Instead, it started with him being a petulant child who makes a ridiculous wish.
However, after reading the long-winded, contradictory statements of one character that corrupts Dorian, this novel became more of what I thought it would be. We see Dorian corrupt all those around him without caring.
Since I was accustomed to Wilde's plays, it was intriguing to read an actual novel by him. Though his language could be round-a-bout and confusing, overall I rather enjoyed this classic.
Part Two: Short Stories
Alright, now his short stories is where he lost me a bit. It was almost like he was trying to do an Aesop's Fables type of thing. They all seemed to have a moral, but again, with his round-a-bout writing it got muddled. Plus, there was one about Shakespeare's sonnets that I pretty much skimmed because it was boring to read.
Part Three: Plays
My favorite section! I already told you of my love for The Importance of Being Earnest, so reading that one was nostalgic. It was just as amazing and full of conundrums that I remembered.
However, I noticed a trend with his plays. The ones that had to do with London Society all had characters that never spoke outright. There was a lot of double meanings and hiding events. Unfortunately, I believe Wilde was simply writing how society was in that time.
I did love all the plays. And I realize that the conflict is what makes the plays. But sometimes, as a reader, you simply wish the characters were truthful and forthcoming with information.
First off, I fell in love with Oscar Wilde's works when I first saw The Importance of Being Earnest when I was 13. So why not finally sit down and read the rest of his works?
Since this novel was a collection, I shall be breaking this review into parts.
Part One: The Picture of Dorian Gray
This book did not begin how I thought it would. Since it is such a well known classic, I thought I would begin with Dorian Gray already knowing about the painting. Instead, it started with him being a petulant child who makes a ridiculous wish.
However, after reading the long-winded, contradictory statements of one character that corrupts Dorian, this novel became more of what I thought it would be. We see Dorian corrupt all those around him without caring.
Since I was accustomed to Wilde's plays, it was intriguing to read an actual novel by him. Though his language could be round-a-bout and confusing, overall I rather enjoyed this classic.
Part Two: Short Stories
Alright, now his short stories is where he lost me a bit. It was almost like he was trying to do an Aesop's Fables type of thing. They all seemed to have a moral, but again, with his round-a-bout writing it got muddled. Plus, there was one about Shakespeare's sonnets that I pretty much skimmed because it was boring to read.
Part Three: Plays
My favorite section! I already told you of my love for The Importance of Being Earnest, so reading that one was nostalgic. It was just as amazing and full of conundrums that I remembered.
However, I noticed a trend with his plays. The ones that had to do with London Society all had characters that never spoke outright. There was a lot of double meanings and hiding events. Unfortunately, I believe Wilde was simply writing how society was in that time.
I did love all the plays. And I realize that the conflict is what makes the plays. But sometimes, as a reader, you simply wish the characters were truthful and forthcoming with information.
May 31, 2025
Wilde himself noted in a letter: “Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be—in other ages, perhaps” The three key characters all represent a specific set of values and Wilde explores the dynamics and tensions between these values throughout the novel.
When Dorian Gray first enters the story, he is young, naive and stunningly gorgeous. It is Dorian that Basil, the painter, is painting the picture that Dorian will sell his soul to forever look like. Both Basil and Lord Henry take an interest in Dorian, Basil has his best interest at heart and a seeming crush on him, Lord Henry wants to influence and sorta innocently manipulate the young man with his views on the hedonistic lifestyle. I can't help but fall in a severe love of friendship with the witty, articulate, and very unapologetic Lord Henry. He has the absolute best quotes in this story that kept me either in stitches or in retrospect.
Basil represents the sensible and principled voice, trying to counteract Lord Henry’s influence. Ironically, Basil’s infatuation with Dorian was back then considered just as sinful as anything Dorian Gray may have done.
Dorian is the personification of hedonism and vanity. We see how he gradually takes it further and further, until there is no way back. Society’s obsession with youth and beauty is how it all starts.
This title has faced numerous challenges since its publication in 1890, being denounced for “indecent content.” Dorian Gray exposes the immorality of self-absorption, as Dorian's portrait becomes more disfigured with each one of Dorian's selfish acts.
I really loved this book and hate that I have taken so long to read it
When Dorian Gray first enters the story, he is young, naive and stunningly gorgeous. It is Dorian that Basil, the painter, is painting the picture that Dorian will sell his soul to forever look like. Both Basil and Lord Henry take an interest in Dorian, Basil has his best interest at heart and a seeming crush on him, Lord Henry wants to influence and sorta innocently manipulate the young man with his views on the hedonistic lifestyle. I can't help but fall in a severe love of friendship with the witty, articulate, and very unapologetic Lord Henry. He has the absolute best quotes in this story that kept me either in stitches or in retrospect.
Basil represents the sensible and principled voice, trying to counteract Lord Henry’s influence. Ironically, Basil’s infatuation with Dorian was back then considered just as sinful as anything Dorian Gray may have done.
Dorian is the personification of hedonism and vanity. We see how he gradually takes it further and further, until there is no way back. Society’s obsession with youth and beauty is how it all starts.
This title has faced numerous challenges since its publication in 1890, being denounced for “indecent content.” Dorian Gray exposes the immorality of self-absorption, as Dorian's portrait becomes more disfigured with each one of Dorian's selfish acts.
I really loved this book and hate that I have taken so long to read it
June 19, 2019
Sull'edonismo che rende cinici e vuoti
Gran bella lettura questa di Oscar Wilde, che ho avuto l'avventura di affrontare in lingua originale. Un testo del tardo ottocento ed un autore decadente ed esteta han voluto dire, per me che pure sono stato esposto per anni a quella cultura, un mare di nuove parole da ricercare e di dettagliati riferimenti descrittivi, dagli abiti alle carrozze ai mille oggetti delle collezioni di Dorian, da decifrare. Con grande piacere nel farlo nonostante la complicata lettura.
Ma se lo stile è antico, le tematiche trattate sono tutte sorprendentemente attuali. E' impressionante la modernità di argomenti come il desiderio della bellezza eterna e del suo potere di fascinazione nonostante l'amoralità di chi ne è portatore, la ricerca del piacere fine a sé stesso ed ad ogni costo e l'insensibile cinismo che ne deriva, l'ideazione di pietose giustificazioni di fronte ai propri rimorsi ed i sottili meccanismi del piacere del plagio in chi lo fa e lo subisce.
Il tutto presentato al lettore con aristocratica leggerezza, a partire dall'idea geniale di non dare alcuna spiegazione al potere del ritratto, che è solo il frutto del desiderio ingenuo di Dorian di eterna giovinezza. Ciò che interessa è il percorso morale di Dorian. Sotto la guida del suo cattivo maestro, continuerà nella ricerca del piacere sempre meno preoccupato delle conseguenze delle sue azioni perdendo pian piano la sua originale umanità. Che non ritroverà più.
Gran bella lettura questa di Oscar Wilde, che ho avuto l'avventura di affrontare in lingua originale. Un testo del tardo ottocento ed un autore decadente ed esteta han voluto dire, per me che pure sono stato esposto per anni a quella cultura, un mare di nuove parole da ricercare e di dettagliati riferimenti descrittivi, dagli abiti alle carrozze ai mille oggetti delle collezioni di Dorian, da decifrare. Con grande piacere nel farlo nonostante la complicata lettura.
Ma se lo stile è antico, le tematiche trattate sono tutte sorprendentemente attuali. E' impressionante la modernità di argomenti come il desiderio della bellezza eterna e del suo potere di fascinazione nonostante l'amoralità di chi ne è portatore, la ricerca del piacere fine a sé stesso ed ad ogni costo e l'insensibile cinismo che ne deriva, l'ideazione di pietose giustificazioni di fronte ai propri rimorsi ed i sottili meccanismi del piacere del plagio in chi lo fa e lo subisce.
Il tutto presentato al lettore con aristocratica leggerezza, a partire dall'idea geniale di non dare alcuna spiegazione al potere del ritratto, che è solo il frutto del desiderio ingenuo di Dorian di eterna giovinezza. Ciò che interessa è il percorso morale di Dorian. Sotto la guida del suo cattivo maestro, continuerà nella ricerca del piacere sempre meno preoccupato delle conseguenze delle sue azioni perdendo pian piano la sua originale umanità. Che non ritroverà più.
November 28, 2014
This book is an examination of the value of beauty, conscience, and soul. It has a compelling storyline with engaging characters, yet lacks uniform interest throughout.
The Picture of Dorian Gray is about a young man who is almost obscenely beautiful. After receiving a portrait of himself, he becomes jealous of it, and sells his soul to be able to remain unchanging and instead have the portrait grow old for him. He soon realizes that everything bad that he does shows up in the picture, and that the picture is a visual representation of his soul.
Dorian does not become a good person when he realizes that his soul is hideous. He instead revels in the differences between the appearances of his body and soul. He values his own beauty too much to change what he should, and eventually meets his downfall because of it.
Much of the story is interesting, but there are some slumps within the reading. There are certain chapters which are unnecessary, even in this short book. A few parts were just boring. However, the overall story is very enjoyable and thought-provoking.
I enjoyed this book, and I recommend it to anyone who likes stories about moral issues, or just classics in general. Putting up with a few boring parts was far worth it for me in the long run of reading this book.
The Picture of Dorian Gray is about a young man who is almost obscenely beautiful. After receiving a portrait of himself, he becomes jealous of it, and sells his soul to be able to remain unchanging and instead have the portrait grow old for him. He soon realizes that everything bad that he does shows up in the picture, and that the picture is a visual representation of his soul.
Dorian does not become a good person when he realizes that his soul is hideous. He instead revels in the differences between the appearances of his body and soul. He values his own beauty too much to change what he should, and eventually meets his downfall because of it.
Much of the story is interesting, but there are some slumps within the reading. There are certain chapters which are unnecessary, even in this short book. A few parts were just boring. However, the overall story is very enjoyable and thought-provoking.
I enjoyed this book, and I recommend it to anyone who likes stories about moral issues, or just classics in general. Putting up with a few boring parts was far worth it for me in the long run of reading this book.
June 30, 2011
This books tells the story of Dorian Grey a handsome and rich young man who at the beginning of the book has his portrait painted by Basil Hallward, a local artist. After meeting Lord Henry and consequently becoming considerably more vain, Dorian pronounces a wish that the portrait would be the one to age while he himself stayed always young and handsome. The rest of the story relates the slow and total corruption of his character through terrible acts. And as he wished it, Dorian Grey finishes the book as a young, handsome but very corrupt man. Not having changed outwardly, but having a daily reminder of his black soul.
The book was not my favorite, I found the particulars of this book rather disturbing as I read it... But I do think that the idea behind the book is very interesting and I have found myself thinking about it quite a bit. If you had a painting to absorb the consequences of every wrong action you took, would you be a better person? Would the painting of your conscience be enough to make you think twice? Although the idea is purely fictional, this book has made me wonder what my painting would look like and what I could do to make it better. That is worth something.
The book was not my favorite, I found the particulars of this book rather disturbing as I read it... But I do think that the idea behind the book is very interesting and I have found myself thinking about it quite a bit. If you had a painting to absorb the consequences of every wrong action you took, would you be a better person? Would the painting of your conscience be enough to make you think twice? Although the idea is purely fictional, this book has made me wonder what my painting would look like and what I could do to make it better. That is worth something.
July 6, 2024
I really liked these works. Wilde delivered cool concepts and beautiful writing. There were only a couple downsides for me. First, pretty much all the characters are annoying, pretentious rich people. I'm pretty sure this was done on purpose, to mock the upper class. It was just more annoying than funny to me. I prefer to feel more than apathetic-at-best toward characters. Oh well. The other downside for me was the difficulty of trying to follow the cultural references. Ultimately, these challenges were worth pushing through.
The Picture of Dorian Gray, as the best and largest of the stories, is the only one I'll dive into. It's a pretty predictable story, but hey, at least it makes sense and comes together nicely! Lord Henry really stole the show for me. His casual sexism was downright hilarious! His ideas in general were often funny, and very fun to ponder. I love how early on, he says it's immoral to influence people. Then he becomes the very influential devil on Dorian's shoulder. Though the characters are all unlikeable (except for the innocuous Basil, I guess), they are intriguing. I didn't care if they lived or died, but I did enjoy their ideas.
The Picture of Dorian Gray, as the best and largest of the stories, is the only one I'll dive into. It's a pretty predictable story, but hey, at least it makes sense and comes together nicely! Lord Henry really stole the show for me. His casual sexism was downright hilarious! His ideas in general were often funny, and very fun to ponder. I love how early on, he says it's immoral to influence people. Then he becomes the very influential devil on Dorian's shoulder. Though the characters are all unlikeable (except for the innocuous Basil, I guess), they are intriguing. I didn't care if they lived or died, but I did enjoy their ideas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2014
This edition should be divided in two. The first part is The Picture of Dorian Gray, the fiction part, the story of Wilde's personality, aspirations and thoughts through a quite gullable character (Dorian Gray). The second part is the non-fiction-ish part, composed of De Profundis and The Ballad of Reading Goal, the former, an oh-so-long reproachful, introspective letter addressed to his gay lover written during his imprisonment for indecency; the latter, a ballad of his tormented stay in jail. While Dorian Gray seems fast-paced, clearly being initially written for a newspaper (which makes it even more shocking due to its latent homoeroticism), De Profundis is a never-ending tête-à-tête bashing which lets Wilde's thoughts meander on his two years in jail, his relationship with his lover, his public image, among others.
June 12, 2021
The story of Dorian Gray is a curious one. Wilde does at times labor the reader with unnecessary detail, but it is still a very good read. I couldn’t help but think about how curious the idea of a personal portrait is in today’s society and thought about what the 21st century equivalent would be. The answer is simple, social media. If Dorian Gray was alive today he would definitely use social media as the place to expose and expunge all his vanity, cruelty, and sin in a celebratory way. Although it may be a cynical take, I feel that people today overindulge their vain and narcissistic tendencies on social media and social media has become a mirror of what humanity has become. Sadly, it has become as vexing and haunting as Dorian’s portrait was to him, and like his portrait, it has been the tragic undoing of many.
August 20, 2013
This book might just be my most favorite classic ever. I mean it. Oscar Wilde was a genius.
Pretty much every sentence is such a gem that you just have to stop and replay it to fully see its meaning. Except for that one chapter, Chapter 18 perhaps it was, which describes a span of 20 years in Dorian's life, which goes a bit too elaborate in its description of details and philosophy for my taste, I just could not give enough of this book. Lord Henry might just be the most annoying yet most charismatic character I've ever read. And you just can't help but pity Dorian, despite all his sins.
I'm more of a library patron than a bookstore frequenter, but this is one book I really want to own forever.
Pretty much every sentence is such a gem that you just have to stop and replay it to fully see its meaning. Except for that one chapter, Chapter 18 perhaps it was, which describes a span of 20 years in Dorian's life, which goes a bit too elaborate in its description of details and philosophy for my taste, I just could not give enough of this book. Lord Henry might just be the most annoying yet most charismatic character I've ever read. And you just can't help but pity Dorian, despite all his sins.
I'm more of a library patron than a bookstore frequenter, but this is one book I really want to own forever.
July 16, 2014
I read this for Matt's book club. A very creative and unique idea for a story. I thought it was well written and that Dorian Gray's character was well developed. I found the murder scene quite disturbing and felt the extreme agitation along with Dorian Gray after he commuted the crime. I can't remember ever reading a book where I felt so intensely what the main character felt at times- a trick of a good author I guess. An insightful and true look into sin and how it destroys the soul. Recommended.
October 25, 2022
I read this classic for a book club and had only taught an abbreviated short story version back in my teaching days.
I loved the satiric look at love and now that I'm a bookseller, would highly recommend it for anyone recently broken hearted. Oscar Wilde's acerbic adages are a stitch: men marry when they get tired, women because they are curious, both are disappointed. Hilarious.
I also think the commentary on the hypocrisy of the upper classes has never been more true. Influencers and anyone addicted to appearances over depth of character are skewered in this novel.
I loved the satiric look at love and now that I'm a bookseller, would highly recommend it for anyone recently broken hearted. Oscar Wilde's acerbic adages are a stitch: men marry when they get tired, women because they are curious, both are disappointed. Hilarious.
I also think the commentary on the hypocrisy of the upper classes has never been more true. Influencers and anyone addicted to appearances over depth of character are skewered in this novel.
January 2, 2012
Read this version last summer. It's a great book, but a bit long-winded in places. I would have thought more of this book except for the long drawn out sections of "blah, blah, blah". Am sure there are those who would disagree with me, but a paragraph that is longer than a page is too long!!
A lot of Gray's behaviors (both spelled out and alluded to) reminded me quite a bit of the Jekyll & Hyde story.
A lot of Gray's behaviors (both spelled out and alluded to) reminded me quite a bit of the Jekyll & Hyde story.
August 10, 2017
The four stars are mainly due to The Picture Of Dorian Gray, which i have read a couple years ago and still find brilliant. The other, much shorter, stories were so-so. Not badly written, not a bad story line, but i guess, after Dorian Gray, i was searching for a deeper clue, a hidden meaning, and perhaps i should have known that for stories that short, it's impossible and not the point. Nevertheless, i was a little disappointed. They were a nice read, though.
June 1, 2023
** i made a silly bookstagram of anyone is curious @pwoony.books**
very conflicted about this book. i think the warped morality of the characters and the expression of immorality through physicality is done beautifully. the exposition and structure is a little difficult to get through. wilde is suuuuper descriptive and tends to go down some philosophical tangents that one could argue are part of certain characters’ development.
3.5/5 for me
very conflicted about this book. i think the warped morality of the characters and the expression of immorality through physicality is done beautifully. the exposition and structure is a little difficult to get through. wilde is suuuuper descriptive and tends to go down some philosophical tangents that one could argue are part of certain characters’ development.
3.5/5 for me
May 22, 2024
Been holding on to this book for many years. I finally was able to throw it in during a last break before my final class for my Bachelors degree.
Great work. 4/5 stars. I would give it 5 but I think I would reserve that for stories that 100% know I will reread.
Some great quotes in there. “I never talk during music-at least, during good music. If one beats bad music, it is one’s duty to drown it in conversation.”
Great work. 4/5 stars. I would give it 5 but I think I would reserve that for stories that 100% know I will reread.
Some great quotes in there. “I never talk during music-at least, during good music. If one beats bad music, it is one’s duty to drown it in conversation.”
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