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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
I must admit, it has been a while since I read the later-published full version, so it was hard to compare. However, this edition was fantastic. I loved the notes explaining the backstory, what changes, explained some themes, etc. I adored it. It's the first book where I read all the foreword and notes while reading; I was immersed.
Also, it wasn't as explicit as I thought it would be, but I liked it. It felt less like an uncensored and more like an honest edition. The characters don't hold back and are more explicitly "themselves." I was upset by the lack of Lord Henry in this one, but I liked the lack of the Vane family. I thought it originally detracted from the book. I like the focus on Dorian's descent and the people he drags down with him. Loved this book. Very happy it is in my collection.
Also, it wasn't as explicit as I thought it would be, but I liked it. It felt less like an uncensored and more like an honest edition. The characters don't hold back and are more explicitly "themselves." I was upset by the lack of Lord Henry in this one, but I liked the lack of the Vane family. I thought it originally detracted from the book. I like the focus on Dorian's descent and the people he drags down with him. Loved this book. Very happy it is in my collection.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book carefully dwells on human nature , and selfish intent as well as societal focus on asthetics and reputation. The utilisation of Dorian’s painting in order to present the externalisation of his evil actions.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think it probably did drag on a bit but I'm currently reading Les Miserables and every book feels like 100mph compared to that.
I think this is a wonderful exploration of what it is to "sin" and external and internal morality. And while it is not what I would consider a classic gothic horror, the horror comes fromDorian's selfishness and immorality.
Would definitely recommend this!
I think this is a wonderful exploration of what it is to "sin" and external and internal morality. And while it is not what I would consider a classic gothic horror, the horror comes from
Would definitely recommend this!
Given its fame, I am certain that all that can be said about this book has already been said. So, I'm not going to attempt to write a critical analysis but instead, relate my personal experience reading it.
This one felt like a drunken reverie. Quotable line one after the other in rapid succession, but don't be mistaken- this book was by no means all style and no substance. In fact, it was so full of substance that it stopped me in my tracks several times to think. This was ironical, considering that Wilde himself famously claimed in the preface that all art is quite useless, and should be consumed for nothing deeper than the aesthetic pleasure one derives from it.
Anyway, here's a bit about the actual content of the book.
Dorian Gray becomes acquainted with Lord Henry, an interesting man who eventually exercises great influence over him. He falls prey to ideas fed to him such as: “The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself.” It entices him to trade his soul for eternal youth, and we watch as the innocent boy sinks to moral corruption. It is a tale of depravity and decadence. Essentially, he is taken with the idea that he needs to experience all that life has to offer. No good would come out of wasting away his beauty by living a simple, boring existence. He must excite his senses by indulging in things of beauty and sin. It is hedonism at its finest.
Chapter 11 in particular, pays homage to a certain "poisonous book" that had supposedly turned Dorian evil, and mimics its florid writing style. (The book is [b:Against Nature|210255|Against Nature|Joris-Karl Huysmans|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673368811l/210255._SY75_.jpg|306152], although it's not explicitly stated by Wilde.) Elaborate lists of material wealth drone on and on, from perfumes to jewels to embroidery- you name it. It brings to light the extreme opulence that Dorian indulges in, and becomes obsessed with.
I must note that I found this chapter tedious to get through because of how dense it was, with more references than I could look up in a single sitting. But it added to the heady experience of reading.
I won't linger on the plot, because that can be easily looked up. Instead, here are a few reflections I had.
Am I a narcissist on some level without being aware of it? If given the opportunity, would I want to retain my youth eternally? I'm sure that is something we have all wished for, and not secretly either. Who wouldn't want to retain that delicious freshness that one possesses in the springtime of life? But then, that doesn't mean we're all capable of committing those unnamed sins that Dorian becomes infamous for.
“The aim of life is self-development. To realise one's nature perfectly-that is what each of us is here for. People are afraid of themselves, nowadays. They have forgotten the highest of all duties, the duty that one owes to one's self. Of course they are charitable. They feed the hungry, and clothe the beggar. But their own souls starve, and are naked.”
This might be a strange takeaway considering that the book is a morality lesson of sorts. But The Picture of Dorian Gray actually ignited in me a desire to indulge a little. Not to the extent of being considered hedonistic, but enough to take in the rich culture of our world. There's too much of glorious art that I haven't experienced for myself, and I hope to rectify that. I wouldn't want my soul to starve.
This one felt like a drunken reverie. Quotable line one after the other in rapid succession, but don't be mistaken- this book was by no means all style and no substance. In fact, it was so full of substance that it stopped me in my tracks several times to think. This was ironical, considering that Wilde himself famously claimed in the preface that all art is quite useless, and should be consumed for nothing deeper than the aesthetic pleasure one derives from it.
Anyway, here's a bit about the actual content of the book.
Dorian Gray becomes acquainted with Lord Henry, an interesting man who eventually exercises great influence over him. He falls prey to ideas fed to him such as: “The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself.” It entices him to trade his soul for eternal youth, and we watch as the innocent boy sinks to moral corruption. It is a tale of depravity and decadence. Essentially, he is taken with the idea that he needs to experience all that life has to offer. No good would come out of wasting away his beauty by living a simple, boring existence. He must excite his senses by indulging in things of beauty and sin. It is hedonism at its finest.
Chapter 11 in particular, pays homage to a certain "poisonous book" that had supposedly turned Dorian evil, and mimics its florid writing style. (The book is [b:Against Nature|210255|Against Nature|Joris-Karl Huysmans|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673368811l/210255._SY75_.jpg|306152], although it's not explicitly stated by Wilde.) Elaborate lists of material wealth drone on and on, from perfumes to jewels to embroidery- you name it. It brings to light the extreme opulence that Dorian indulges in, and becomes obsessed with.
I must note that I found this chapter tedious to get through because of how dense it was, with more references than I could look up in a single sitting. But it added to the heady experience of reading.
I won't linger on the plot, because that can be easily looked up. Instead, here are a few reflections I had.
Am I a narcissist on some level without being aware of it? If given the opportunity, would I want to retain my youth eternally? I'm sure that is something we have all wished for, and not secretly either. Who wouldn't want to retain that delicious freshness that one possesses in the springtime of life? But then, that doesn't mean we're all capable of committing those unnamed sins that Dorian becomes infamous for.
“The aim of life is self-development. To realise one's nature perfectly-that is what each of us is here for. People are afraid of themselves, nowadays. They have forgotten the highest of all duties, the duty that one owes to one's self. Of course they are charitable. They feed the hungry, and clothe the beggar. But their own souls starve, and are naked.”
This might be a strange takeaway considering that the book is a morality lesson of sorts. But The Picture of Dorian Gray actually ignited in me a desire to indulge a little. Not to the extent of being considered hedonistic, but enough to take in the rich culture of our world. There's too much of glorious art that I haven't experienced for myself, and I hope to rectify that. I wouldn't want my soul to starve.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Moral message. Beautiful writing. Homoerotic 'friendship'. This book does everything except treat women with any kind of respect.
Le roman nous introduit à Dorian Gray, un jeune homme d'une beauté exceptionnelle qui se fait peindre un portrait par l'artiste Basil Hallward. Basil est tellement fasciné par la beauté de Dorian qu'il met toute son âme dans cette œuvre.
Lors d'une séance de pose, Dorian fait la connaissance de Lord Henry Wotton, un homme spirituel et cynique qui distille dans l'esprit du jeune homme une philosophie hédoniste, l'encourageant à vivre pleinement pour la beauté et les plaisirs de la jeunesse, car ces qualités s'estomperont avec le temps.
Dorian, influencé par les paroles de Lord Henry et contemplant son magnifique portrait, exprime un vœu impulsif : que le portrait vieillisse à sa place, tandis que lui resterait éternellement jeune et beau.
Au fil du temps, Dorian se lance dans une quête de plaisirs et d'expériences, explorant les limites de la moralité sans jamais montrer de signes de vieillissement ou de remords sur son visage. Cependant, des changements étranges commencent à apparaître sur le portrait, reflétant d'une manière mystérieuse la véritable nature de ses actions et les conséquences de ses choix.
Le roman explore ainsi les thèmes de la beauté, de la jeunesse, de la moralité, de la corruption et des conséquences cachées de nos désirs. Il suit la vie de Dorian Gray et l'étrange lien qui se développe entre lui et son portrait, sans révéler les événements spécifiques qui jalonnent son parcours ou le dénouement de cette troublante histoire. C'est une exploration fascinante de la nature humaine et des apparences trompeuses.
Lors d'une séance de pose, Dorian fait la connaissance de Lord Henry Wotton, un homme spirituel et cynique qui distille dans l'esprit du jeune homme une philosophie hédoniste, l'encourageant à vivre pleinement pour la beauté et les plaisirs de la jeunesse, car ces qualités s'estomperont avec le temps.
Dorian, influencé par les paroles de Lord Henry et contemplant son magnifique portrait, exprime un vœu impulsif : que le portrait vieillisse à sa place, tandis que lui resterait éternellement jeune et beau.
Au fil du temps, Dorian se lance dans une quête de plaisirs et d'expériences, explorant les limites de la moralité sans jamais montrer de signes de vieillissement ou de remords sur son visage. Cependant, des changements étranges commencent à apparaître sur le portrait, reflétant d'une manière mystérieuse la véritable nature de ses actions et les conséquences de ses choix.
Le roman explore ainsi les thèmes de la beauté, de la jeunesse, de la moralité, de la corruption et des conséquences cachées de nos désirs. Il suit la vie de Dorian Gray et l'étrange lien qui se développe entre lui et son portrait, sans révéler les événements spécifiques qui jalonnent son parcours ou le dénouement de cette troublante histoire. C'est une exploration fascinante de la nature humaine et des apparences trompeuses.
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes