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oceanwriter's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
3.0
The Picture of Dorian Gray is one of the most discussed books I’ve come across on the internet. What’s interesting is that it appeals to a wide range of readers. Personally, I was drawn to it because of its gothic elements.
Dorian Gray wishes to sell his soul in an attempt to maintain perpetual youth. The catch: His painting bears the marks of time and the scars of an immoral life. He keeps the portrait hidden away as he continues living a life solely for his own pleasure.
I find myself enjoying summaries and the general idea of this book more than the book itself. I also enjoyed a discussion of it that I found on YouTube. As for the actual reading experience? I was bored. There was so much that I could skim and stop whenever the story was being pushed forward.
Dorian Gray wishes to sell his soul in an attempt to maintain perpetual youth. The catch: His painting bears the marks of time and the scars of an immoral life. He keeps the portrait hidden away as he continues living a life solely for his own pleasure.
I find myself enjoying summaries and the general idea of this book more than the book itself. I also enjoyed a discussion of it that I found on YouTube. As for the actual reading experience? I was bored. There was so much that I could skim and stop whenever the story was being pushed forward.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Antisemitism
anemonima's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Misogyny
larvaeya's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
3.0
wish it were more gay..
Also - misogyny and sexism.. yay
Enjoyed the first third of the book, the middle was meh and the last third was pretty good.
Still hard to read and will not read again
Also - misogyny and sexism.. yay
Enjoyed the first third of the book, the middle was meh and the last third was pretty good.
Still hard to read and will not read again
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
fe_aye's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Misogyny, Suicide, Blood, and Classism
keelia_swafford1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Antisemitism, and Murder
Minor: Suicide
hocuscrocus's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-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
4.0
It's a slow start, but once it picks up it hooks ya! The prose, while gorgeous, did make for a bit of a slog at times. Overall, I'm glad I read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Misogyny, and Classism
Moderate: Racism, Suicide, Antisemitism, and Toxic friendship
3mi1y's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
sagelikesscats's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
I will definitely return to this book. Great writing, great characters, and an amazing ending. I did find that all of the rich people problems get annoying towards the end, but still a fantastic book about beauty, morality, and heathenism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Infidelity, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death of parent, and Classism
The classism is less of a thing that happens and more of a general presence throughout the book.kananineko's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
I loved this! Great classic. Probably one of the most digestible bc of its relatively short length. My only complaint would be that some sections dragged in the middle to me (all the super long descriptions of what Dorian was learning)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Stalking, and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Racism, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Colonisation
dellydoos's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Well, well, isn’t she well-read? Feeling awfully good about myself to add this one to the list. The one and only, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. What a treat it was.
In true gothic literature, this classic was a delight to read, with its rich and detailed prose and very homoerotic imagery. From the way the words rolled off the pages, to the way the characters spoke to each other in such adoring fashion. The book's satirical humour was also a refreshing surprise. It often danced on the edge of the absurd, poking fun at the hypocrisy and superficiality of the society it portrayed. Wilde’s wit shone through, bringing a lightness to the otherwise sombre themes that underpinned the narrative. A brilliant contrast.
I also couldn’t deny how darn smart I felt when reading this. I felt a certain sophistication, a kind of literary camaraderie with all those esteemed enough to have read this book. I came away wanting to speak how the characters spoke in the book, “Ah, my dear Basil. How Mr Gray got the better of you.”
Ah, the themes that flow through these pages! Life, death, morality, vanity, and the beguiling allure of beauty – all masterfully woven into a tapestry of thought-provoking contemplation. Dorian Gray's inner monologue was a journey of its own. It was wild, unpredictable, and often disturbingly captivating. Through his thoughts, we were given a glimpse into the complexities of human nature, the struggle between desires and morality.
However, there were patches where my enthusiasm waned. Some conversations seemed to stretch on unnecessarily, detracting from the narrative's momentum. The beginning, for all its lush prose, left me a bit bored as the story found its footing.
A glaring flaw lay in the treatment of women in the story. Their roles were limited and often relegated to the sidelines, a reflection of the societal norms of the time. It's also impossible to ignore the presence of antisemitism within the narrative, a dark reminder of the prejudices that marred the era. This inclusion was jarring and unsettling and marked my reading experience.
Even so, this classic is certainly a classic, and the sub-text of Mr Oscar Wilde’s own personal life really leant itself into the narrative of this book. Read up on his history if you haven’t, and things will begin to make even more sense for you. 3.5 / 5 stars.
In true gothic literature, this classic was a delight to read, with its rich and detailed prose and very homoerotic imagery. From the way the words rolled off the pages, to the way the characters spoke to each other in such adoring fashion. The book's satirical humour was also a refreshing surprise. It often danced on the edge of the absurd, poking fun at the hypocrisy and superficiality of the society it portrayed. Wilde’s wit shone through, bringing a lightness to the otherwise sombre themes that underpinned the narrative. A brilliant contrast.
I also couldn’t deny how darn smart I felt when reading this. I felt a certain sophistication, a kind of literary camaraderie with all those esteemed enough to have read this book. I came away wanting to speak how the characters spoke in the book, “Ah, my dear Basil. How Mr Gray got the better of you.”
Ah, the themes that flow through these pages! Life, death, morality, vanity, and the beguiling allure of beauty – all masterfully woven into a tapestry of thought-provoking contemplation. Dorian Gray's inner monologue was a journey of its own. It was wild, unpredictable, and often disturbingly captivating. Through his thoughts, we were given a glimpse into the complexities of human nature, the struggle between desires and morality.
However, there were patches where my enthusiasm waned. Some conversations seemed to stretch on unnecessarily, detracting from the narrative's momentum. The beginning, for all its lush prose, left me a bit bored as the story found its footing.
A glaring flaw lay in the treatment of women in the story. Their roles were limited and often relegated to the sidelines, a reflection of the societal norms of the time. It's also impossible to ignore the presence of antisemitism within the narrative, a dark reminder of the prejudices that marred the era. This inclusion was jarring and unsettling and marked my reading experience.
Even so, this classic is certainly a classic, and the sub-text of Mr Oscar Wilde’s own personal life really leant itself into the narrative of this book. Read up on his history if you haven’t, and things will begin to make even more sense for you. 3.5 / 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, and Antisemitism
Minor: Suicide