Take a photo of a barcode or cover
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dorian Gray is a young and good-looking aristocrat when he sits for a portrait at the well-known painter Basil Hallward's studio. There he meets Lord Henry Wotten for the first time, who talks about how youth and beauty doesn't last long. Dorian gets annoyed and wishes that his portrait would grow old instead of himself; he would give his soul for that!
I read this book when I was young and have always claimed it to be one of my favorite classics. For a long time I've wanted to do a re-read to see if I still feel the same, and when my bookclub was going to read a classic we decided to read Dorian Gray. Unfortunatly I didn't enjoy it as much this time, but at least there's a lot to discuss so it works well as a bookclub choice!
"The Picture of Dorian Gray" got a lot of criticism when it first came out. But the reason it has become a classic is because of the timeless and universal themes: love, friendship, vanity, selfishness. To be young and good-looking is as important (if not more so) today than it was a hundred years ago, even if times have changed. Maybe it would be a bit easier to "digest" if it were set in a more modern setting? As of now the language feels a tad old-fashioned and bombastic. And none of the characters come off as being likeable...
To sum up this "review" I would say that I like the concept of the story, but the achievement makes it quite hard and sometimes boring to read. I'm still glad I read it again, even though it was somewhat disappointing.
I read this book when I was young and have always claimed it to be one of my favorite classics. For a long time I've wanted to do a re-read to see if I still feel the same, and when my bookclub was going to read a classic we decided to read Dorian Gray. Unfortunatly I didn't enjoy it as much this time, but at least there's a lot to discuss so it works well as a bookclub choice!
"The Picture of Dorian Gray" got a lot of criticism when it first came out. But the reason it has become a classic is because of the timeless and universal themes: love, friendship, vanity, selfishness. To be young and good-looking is as important (if not more so) today than it was a hundred years ago, even if times have changed. Maybe it would be a bit easier to "digest" if it were set in a more modern setting? As of now the language feels a tad old-fashioned and bombastic. And none of the characters come off as being likeable...
To sum up this "review" I would say that I like the concept of the story, but the achievement makes it quite hard and sometimes boring to read. I'm still glad I read it again, even though it was somewhat disappointing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Classism
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Antisemitism, Classism
Moderate: Death, Murder
Minor: Suicide
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While dotted with funny moments and pithy witticisms, the book is really haunted by the author. It's difficult to ignore his transparent interest in underaged boys, and assuredness in his own intellect. But it's still a very interesting read, especially as a somewhat unconventional gothic novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Antisemitism, Murder, Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Toxic friendship
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
classic literature checklist: racism✔️, classism✔️, misogyny✔️, antisemitism✔️
ignoring the blatant prejudices, this book was captivating in ways i didn’t expect whatsoever. at first, i was like damn they yap a lot, but then we got to the painting and dorian’s loss of innocence and spiral into insanity and i was like hell ya. anyway, pretty good book and vibes. 4 stars
ignoring the blatant prejudices, this book was captivating in ways i didn’t expect whatsoever. at first, i was like damn they yap a lot, but then we got to the painting and dorian’s loss of innocence and spiral into insanity and i was like hell ya. anyway, pretty good book and vibes. 4 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Antisemitism, Classism
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What drives a person to keep their image? The value of Beauty means a lot in society and Dorian Gray shows how far he is willing to keep his secrets. This was absolutely amazing. You see how Dorian is transformed throughout the novel, physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Brilliant read ⭐️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Fatphobia, Suicide, Blood, Antisemitism, Classism
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's a classic for a reason. Despite a few flaws, it's a page turner that sticks with you.
My main criticism is that the dialogue is frequently rambling and repetitive. A character doesn't have to make the same point 15 times. Another is that some supporting characters are not well-written and their interactions with others and reactions to events come off as uncomfortably odd and unnatural.
Given that this book was written in the 1800s by a man who was not interested in women and contains characters meant to be "wicked", it's not surprising there is a lot of negativity towards women. It does start to get annoying after a point.
Lastly, it's a much too easy to figure out where each plot point will go. The story is engaging enough that it doesn't take away from the enjoyment, though.
At just 250 pages it's well worth the time it takes to read.
My main criticism is that the dialogue is frequently rambling and repetitive. A character doesn't have to make the same point 15 times. Another is that some supporting characters are not well-written and their interactions with others and reactions to events come off as uncomfortably odd and unnatural.
Given that this book was written in the 1800s by a man who was not interested in women and contains characters meant to be "wicked", it's not surprising there is a lot of negativity towards women. It does start to get annoying after a point.
Lastly, it's a much too easy to figure out where each plot point will go. The story is engaging enough that it doesn't take away from the enjoyment, though.
At just 250 pages it's well worth the time it takes to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Sexism, Classism
Moderate: Racism, Antisemitism
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Classism
dark
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, Classism
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Antisemitism, Murder, Classism
Minor: Biphobia