Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

The Picture of Dorian Gray (Collins Classics) by Oscar Wilde

51 reviews

enoemo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious 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

3.5

This was a good read (you know, apart from the random misogyny and antisemitism that came with the time and do not really add to the story either) and chapter 11. I don't know but chapter 11 was just a lot of rambling in an otherwise exciting book in my opinion. Also, I see how someone would likely dislike this book if deeply flawed characters are not their thing - for one it kind builds the main plot and also there's probably a bit too much Lord Henry in there.

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Content Warnings

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

ellelockley's review against another edition

challenging dark informative 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

Oscar Wilde's only novel is the dreamlike story of a young man who sells his sould for eternal youth and beauty. This book makes you reflect on literally everything that has happened in your life. At the start, you're a blank slate, and at the end you've completely changed your outlook on life. It was so very interesting to read, and for a classic it wasn't absurdly long. The only reason it's a four is because I think it was way too focused on very minor things some of the time. I did really enjoy it and would recommend it to everyone.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Homophobia, Death, Alcohol, Classism, Infidelity, and Misogyny

trintrin's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.

This quote perfectly sums up the exquisitely tragic story that is Dorian Gray's. 

The first classic that I have ever voluntarily fully read and oh boy did I love it. The descriptions just seemed so poetic and the writing is so fluid. It almost felt magical and whimsical reading some of those passages despite this book not having any magic at all. My only complaint is no normal person is gonna be spewing formal poetry for two whole pages in a normal conversation lol. I thought this writing style would be hard to read but it flowed really well for the most part. The only section I was actually bored by was in chapter 11 when we get pages long descriptions of Dorian's various new hobbies and interests. I found it too much like an info dump-y Wikipedia copy paste or something. That alone made me put the book down for nearly a week before continuing whoops.

The characters are amazing imo. Dorian started out pretty boring but I started loving him more and more as his character progressed. Lord Henry is... interesting, to say the least. I admire him for the confidence he has in his views and I'm also also scared of finding someone like him irl. Poor Basil got caught up in this mess I feel bad for him. Sybil Vane and her family were more or less there only to further the plot but I didn't particularly mind that. But my biggest question is, how do these people socialise so much? I feel exhausted reading about all the operas and dinners and clubs they go to like everyday. My introverted self could never. 

I didn't know what I was thinking the ending would be but it wasn't what I expected. I knew this was going to be tragic but the abruptness of it all it still sort of took me by surprise. 

Overall, an amazing book definitely worth the read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Blood, Death, Sexism, and Misogyny

Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Classism, Adult/minor relationship, Antisemitism, Gaslighting, and Infidelity

Minor: Alcohol, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug use

Don't listen to anything the literal embodiment of misogyny and sexism aka Lord Henry says please and thank you. Nothing good comes out of that man's mouth

sophtanda's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• 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

Man gets a painting that ages instead of him and reflects his soul. Man decides to commit crime.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Classism, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Gun violence, Misogyny, Stalking, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Violence

caribbeangirlreading's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective slow-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

3.0

 I really expected to love this novel but the first half of the book just dragged. However, this book would have made for amazing book club discussion. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Blood, Misogyny, and Antisemitism

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Alcohol, Drug abuse, and Drug use

binches's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-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

4.0

rating: very good ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, and Murder

Moderate: Sexism and Antisemitism

Minor: Colonisation, Alcohol, and Drug abuse

kashby's review against another edition

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood, Death, Murder, Suicide, and Grief

Minor: Misogyny, Alcohol, and Drug use

sinaprst's review against another edition

challenging dark inspiring mysterious 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

4.75

I never thought that I would like this this much, but I am literally as obsessed as Dorian is with his own portrait. 
I would literally sell my soul to be able to read this for the first time again. 
Though at times it was a bit difficult to get through, it was overall just an incredible read and I now want to read everything else Oscar Wilde has ever written. 
Lastly all I have to say is:
- Basil deserved better
- Harry is a piece of shit 
- and I wish it could've been gayer 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Classism, Death, Suicide, Misogyny, Addiction, Alcohol, Antisemitism, Drug use, Gaslighting, Racism, and Sexism

grace_cr1's review against another edition

dark reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcohol, Racism, Sexism, Classism, Misogyny, Antisemitism, Blood, Death, Drug use, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Violence

hamarhemmo's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Stalking, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Murder

Moderate: Drug use, Dysphoria, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Antisemitism

Minor: Alcohol and Outing