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r2m's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
3.0
excitebike's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
3.75
_matchafiend's review against another edition
5.0
This novel is the perfect example of a story filled with vanity, greed and sin. The tales of a boy's desire to look youthful is deranged by the painting's ability to age with every sin committed by Dorian Gray.
This book is a literary masterpiece. From the beginning the reader can emulate Gray's desire to maintain youthfulness, but his desire for vanity unearthed the true sins that Gray was committing.
Oscar Wilde paints a story where the odds are in favour of Gray till the end, the plot twist is shockingly delicious and satisfying to read.
This book is a literary masterpiece. From the beginning the reader can emulate Gray's desire to maintain youthfulness, but his desire for vanity unearthed the true sins that Gray was committing.
Oscar Wilde paints a story where the odds are in favour of Gray till the end, the plot twist is shockingly delicious and satisfying to read.
arugulalover's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bazayas's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-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
After having his portrait painted and his ego inflated by the artist and his worldly aristocratic friend, handsome youth Dorian Gray wishes that he will stay young forever and the portrait would age and change instead. Dorian lives a hedonistic life staying beautiful, while the portrait he has hidden away grows uglier and more decrepit.
Finally read this after starting it many years ago. It’s purple prose and Victorian melodrama, so not my favorite - the entire chapter listing every single hobby Dorian takes up between ages 20 and 38 was a chore. It is creepy and a great premise - it’s wild that no one has done an accurate film version because it has so much potential, especially with some of the back and forth dialogue. The constant monologues are more suited to a play. Also would love to see the story uncensored overall.
CW/TW:
racism; antisemitism; misogyny; classism; murder; suicide; drug addiction/usage
For fans of:
Victorian Gothic vibes; melodrama; drama queen protagonists; philosophic monologues; subtle yearning; The Secret History (TPODG walked so TSH could run)
itulsian's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
meekoh's review against another edition
5.0
Oscar Wilde shifts from philosophical monologues to blood-spurting dark fantasy in an instant, and I love it. Sure, it can be self-indulgent and pretentious at times, but he is a talented enough writer for me to enthusiastically jump aboard.
This allegorical tale is packed with social commentary but leaves space for personal interpretation, ensuring it sparks lively debates. I recommend this classic if you enjoyed The Secret History or The Tell Tale Heart.
While reading The Picture of Dorian Gray, it is impossible to miss the parallels between Wilde’s life and his fictional narrative. Wilde lived in a Victorian society which required him to hide the deepest parts of himself. However, great art has a tendency to unwittingly bear part of the artist's soul (as discussed in the opening chapter of this book). Herein lies Wilde's dilemma, how to create great art without exposing his truth? In 1895, Wilde was convicted of "gross indecency". This book was used as evidence against him.
This allegorical tale is packed with social commentary but leaves space for personal interpretation, ensuring it sparks lively debates. I recommend this classic if you enjoyed The Secret History or The Tell Tale Heart.
While reading The Picture of Dorian Gray, it is impossible to miss the parallels between Wilde’s life and his fictional narrative. Wilde lived in a Victorian society which required him to hide the deepest parts of himself. However, great art has a tendency to unwittingly bear part of the artist's soul (as discussed in the opening chapter of this book). Herein lies Wilde's dilemma, how to create great art without exposing his truth? In 1895, Wilde was convicted of "gross indecency". This book was used as evidence against him.
zara_d's review against another edition
5.0
this is currently my new favourite book. i love the darkness of it and it’s really well written.