Reviews with content warning for Blood - The Picture of Dorian Gray

This used to be a 5* baby for me, but alas upon reading it the second time, I found a lot of it rather annoying. Well, more specifically, Lord Henry is an absolute knob and I find his paradoxical manner totally tosh - I know it's the point of his character though (to consistently utter sayings that sound meaningful, but in actual fact, are bloomin' balderdash). Wilde was a fan of aestheticism, and hence this character has reason for being in the novel, for the mere fact he has no reason at all (oh, would you look at that - I'm being a paradoxical piece of poop) - the novel doesn't intend to be moral, or immoral, or serve any purpose other than to exist as art, and certainly the poeticism and lyricism of the contents solidify it as such, but pfft it still grinds my gears! Anyways, I do recommend this and it is enjoyable - you've just got to put up with some complete trashtalk and middle-class poppycock. Wilde is undoubtedly a talented author, though (or "was", rather... RIP), and is quite probably one of my favourites - I think I've just grown more critical in my old age, but yeah, give it a go!
p.s. don't get me wrong, this book still slaps and touches on some very interesting and *mysterious* (ooo) topics of the Victorian era. Now that I think of it, I might've been a tad harsh
Oh....but if I remember rightly, there was some casual antisemitism in there so pfft suck it!
(Actually I've revised my review overall, boosting it from a 3.75 becauseeee I can't get it out of my mind - it's quite profound in its nothingness, but its being simply art).

Content Warnings

century's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

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

4.0

Content Warnings

shelvedbysara's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Review

If I were to describe this novel in one sentence it would be ‘the psychological study of the sinful side of the human personality’. It is a stunningly written juxtaposition of the perfection that we try to convey to the world and the imperfection that lies underneath our surface. There's nothing particularly interesting about the characters per se, but what is remarkable is the choices they make when having to decide between right and wrong; good and evil; virtue and sin. In his inteligent and theatrical way, Wilde explores those dark and complex chambers of the human soul where we dare not to go. It shows the selfishness and superficiality behind our intentions and the crude darkness our thoughts can contain. Perhaps Dorian is to us all the sins we never had the courage to commit. And perhaps that’s also why this is a fascinating novel: we aren't meant to like it, but we are meant to read it. Especially the parts we may be most afraid to face.

Summary

The portrait of Dorian Gray is the best work Basil Hallward has ever accomplished for the sitter is himself perfection in person. But Dorian has never been fully aware of his beauty and youth. Not until he meets Lord Harry Henry who opens his eyes to what one has to lose to the passage of time. Determined to preserve his physical prime, he wishes that his portrait suffers all the wounds and scars of life instead of his body. From then on, he is destined to see what lies behind the veil of his apparent perfection; what happens when not even beauty can save a corrupted soul.

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greatu's review against another edition

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dark inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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dontwanthvn's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

linaanderberg's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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ambdocksey22's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The only reason I am not giving this book 5 stars is because of the racially insensitive language throughout the book. I understand the time that it was written but I hated reading through every passage that contained a slur or some kind of racial hatred.

Content Warnings

fujo_cat's review against another edition

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dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Aaah, que livro bom!! Faz tempo que um clássico me satisfaz tanto, mas foi uma leitura extremamente interessante. Claro que houve certos capítulos mais aborrecidos e em certos momentos a leitura parecia mais difícil de avançar (leia-se: o ritmo era mais lento) mas, no geral, eu gostei muito c:
O final não me surpreendeu mas não deixou de ser satisfatório! 👀

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