Reviews with content warning for Antisemitism - The Picture Of Dorian Gray

Reviews tagging 'Antisemitism'

The Picture Of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

450 reviews

teabrewer's review against another edition

3.75

challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Everything in this book is golden, red and olive green. If you know what each of these colors meant for the victorians, you already have a great synopsis for it. This is a story about an unrequited love, the corruption of a soul, the obsession for aesthetical beauty and all lives ruined in the way.

Content Warnings

addendumrefrain's review against another edition

2.5

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Character development that corrupts and makes one deplorable is also character development of a kind so this is why I have selected yes for strong character development. I knew there would be antisemitism because it's Wilde, but good lord. I feel like that also made Dorian hideous in the painting as well and in the end. It was slow-ish and there's a lot of descriptions of things and the furniture and possessions which I think was the point—he had a love for being envious and I think as he became hideous in the painting, Dorian felt that it truly reflected his true self on a unconscious level. It was kind of interesting watching the man destroy himself and become terrified and haunted by himself.

Content Warnings

em_h_ma's review against another edition

1.0

dark mysterious 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

Basil is enamoured with Dorian Gray and decides to paint his portrait while the young man is discussing with a friend named Henry. Henry insists on the importance of staying young and handsome. Gray is shaken and wishes for the portrait to grow old instead of him. Not changing in appearance, Gray decides to let go of Morales and do everything he wishes

, even if that means killing someone

. I thought I knew the story just from having heard of it but I truly didn't. How disappointed I was to finally read this book. The plot was so slow, the actions so predictable. I guess it is a good metaphor, Henry being the devil himself, but I didn't enjoy it and wouldn't recommend reading it for your pleasure only.

Content Warnings

reading_on_the_moon's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

bone_empress's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark reflective slow-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

Content Warnings

sandysmith's review against another edition

3.25

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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

I'm gradually adding books I've read in 2021 to give a true reflection of the books I've read since keeping records. This was the first book I read in 2021, and is what kick-started my reading journey having put reading on the back burner whilst bringing up the children, previously being an avid reader. Initially published in 1891 some of the writing is dated and slightly off putting with some of the views on womens worth. Its a classic book and I'm trying to read a few each year. I did love the beautifully written prose, about a vain and corrupt man. Interesting and not the story I expected.

Content Warnings

buttongirl22's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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

It’s a beautiful classic, but it’s definitely a dark, difficult story to listen to. You’re not necessarily rooting for any of the characters, but you want to know what is going to happen.

Content Warnings