Scan barcode
sarahna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Misogyny, Suicide, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Classism, Fatphobia, Addiction, Antisemitism, Body shaming, and Toxic friendship
alexxjoyce's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
“I should fancy that crime was to them what art is to us, simply a method of procuring extraordinary sensations.”
Wilde's writing is deliciously witty and knowingly self-indulgent. Much like Dorian, its effortlessly charming. That being said, Chapter 11 was... something. I can't lie, I ended up skipping it. Also... damn was it antisemitic.
That being said, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a wonderfully dark, twisted and a little bit sexy exploration of Narcissus, Faust and Icarus all in one. A man granted the privilege of beauty marred by his own hubris.
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse and Antisemitism
Minor: Suicide
gabriellesimpson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Murder and Death
Minor: Suicide, Drug abuse, Antisemitism, and Drug use
elihrus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Well. It's complicated.
I won't talk about the blantant antisemitism and horrible mysoginy, but damn that made it hard to read. I understood that Henry *is* a bad influence, but it was unhinged.
The first half of the book was pretty slow, nothing really happend. But the middle and second part? That was something, and it made the overall experience much much better.
I loved the psychology in this book, it reminded me little bit of The Cremator - how much you can influence one.
I also loved the flower symbolisms throughout the book.
Graphic: Violence, Death, Grief, Misogyny, and Blood
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Suicide, Antisemitism, and Drug abuse
Minor: Classism, Child abuse, and Death of parent
enoemo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Alcohol, Gaslighting, Suicide, Classism, Colonisation, Stalking, Antisemitism, Blood, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Racial slurs, Drug abuse, and Racism
sophtanda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Classism, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Gun violence, Misogyny, Stalking, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Violence
avocadotoastbee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The plot sounds promising:
Young Dorian Gray wishes that his portrait would age and bear the marks of his sins instead of him. When he realizes that his wish is coming true, he commits all kinds of sins, while keeping his young, perfectly pure appearance.
The execution was disappointing though:
The book starts slowly and then, in the second half of the book, events suddenly overturn. Also, none of the events really follow through. I was disappointed that after each eventful chapter there was another big time jump. I had expected more. Also, it became very predictable as time went on.
The absolute worst thing, however, was the character of Lord Henry Wotton. With Lord Henry, Wilde has created the most misogynistic character ever. But that's not all, The Portrait of Dorian Gray contains many problematic characters and statements. The racism, anti-semitism, and misogyny that were ever-present completely spoiled the reading experience.
But not all of it was bad:
I enjoyed the little bits of wisdom and queerness Wilde sprinkled in.
The underlying exploration of aging, indulging in "pleasures", pain, living with dark secrets and death was well done and endlessly quotable.
“What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose […] his own soul?”
Overall, I know Oscar Wilde is a Gay Icon and can do so much more, but The Picture of Dorian Gray just wasn't for me.
Graphic: Antisemitism, Stalking, Racism, Addiction, Misogyny, Drug abuse, Death, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Sexism, Racial slurs, Murder, and Drug use
Moderate: Classism and Blood
Minor: Colonisation
academy_killer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Classism, Sexism, and Drug use
caribbeangirlreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Misogyny, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Alcohol, Drug abuse, and Drug use
binches's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
personal enjoyment rating: good ⭐⭐⭐
I think this is a really good book and the way it discusses life and philosophizes on certain concepts was quite interesting and insightful (though intentionally flawed at times). The characters were very unlikeable and messed up and I couldn't wait for every single one of them to die (that's not criticism btw it's the whole point of the book). However, I don't think the writing is necessarily for me. I don't think it's bad by any means, I just didn't really vibe with some of it at certain points.
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Sexism and Antisemitism
Minor: Colonisation, Alcohol, and Drug abuse