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dark
mysterious
tense
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
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is about a rich young man, who sits for an artist who paints his portrait. However, there is a curse attached to the painting and the sitter as the painting will age and the man will not!
This results in Dorian's life ultimately spinning out of control, leading to a suicide of a young woman, who is an actress, and the murder of the one man who could be called his only true friend.
The story sometimes felt like it was stuck in a loop, and although is wonderfully written and deserves it place as a classic in literature, it was a struggle for me to read with some chapters feeling out of place whilst others were deeply engaging and moved the narrative forward.
I borrowed a copy of this book from Taunton Library and listened to it on CloudLibrary. I read this for the 52 Book Club Summer Reading Challenge 2024, for prompt 23, Closing Ceremonies, author who hasn't released a book in the past four years.
This results in Dorian's life ultimately spinning out of control, leading to a suicide of a young woman, who is an actress, and the murder of the one man who could be called his only true friend.
The story sometimes felt like it was stuck in a loop, and although is wonderfully written and deserves it place as a classic in literature, it was a struggle for me to read with some chapters feeling out of place whilst others were deeply engaging and moved the narrative forward.
I borrowed a copy of this book from Taunton Library and listened to it on CloudLibrary. I read this for the 52 Book Club Summer Reading Challenge 2024, for prompt 23, Closing Ceremonies, author who hasn't released a book in the past four years.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Suicide, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, Classism
Minor: Cursing, Drug use, Alcohol
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was expecting this book to mainly be a character study, so I somehow hadn't expected there to be as much plot as there was. Very engaging!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, Classism
Moderate: Drug abuse, Gun violence, Suicide, Stalking, Toxic friendship
Minor: Body shaming, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Antisemitism
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-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
I found Wilde's writing style very charming; this was one of the few books which didn't bore me out even when reading purely descriptive chapters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Suicide
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this in 3 days. It was amazing, absolutely insightful. The context of Oscar Wilde being imprisoned for homosexuality after writing this book adds a somber layer to the experience.
It was very profound, and raw with discussions of human nature, and how it’s pushed and pulled within the lense of a Christianity based good vs. evil society. Wilde did something powerful here, presenting a fascinating argument for beauty and ugliness, power and weakness, and the shades of morality. I will think about this for the rest of my life.
The older English was challenging for me at times, particularly as I started reading the book and as well asin chapter 9, which I felt dragged on for too long. The intention I think was to articulate how much Dorian had abandoned all things but knowledge and sensation.
I definitely recommend people read the uncensored version. Seeing the book as it was originally written is magical. The textual introduction was interesting, but quite long and I primarily focused on the actual body of the novel.
It was very profound, and raw with discussions of human nature, and how it’s pushed and pulled within the lense of a Christianity based good vs. evil society. Wilde did something powerful here, presenting a fascinating argument for beauty and ugliness, power and weakness, and the shades of morality. I will think about this for the rest of my life.
The older English was challenging for me at times, particularly as I started reading the book and as well as
I definitely recommend people read the uncensored version. Seeing the book as it was originally written is magical. The textual introduction was interesting, but quite long and I primarily focused on the actual body of the novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder
Minor: Death, Suicide, Antisemitism
Antisemitism: There is a Jewish character that is depicted as a corrupt man. He runs the theatre Dorian attends, and the language is very antisemetic.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Murder
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Suicide, Murder
Minor: Drug use, Racism, Antisemitism
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dark Victorian Gothic horror, very well written and highly thought-provoking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Murder
Minor: Blood
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
One of those books where I understand why it's a classic, but it just doesn't resonate with me. Mainly, the story would have been engaging if there was more focus on the plot rather than meandering and focusing on Wilde's philosophies. Honestly, this would have worked better as a stage play, something akin to Wilde's The Importance of Being Ernest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Antisemitism, Murder
dark
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The plot and characters in this book are both really interesting. Dorian’s internal monologue and Henry’s creeping influence are both well done. Unfortunately, Wilde frequently goes on long tangents, often philosophical or referential in nature, that are a real chore to get through and don’t really feel like a part of the story. You don’t have to make your readers suffer to show that a character is insufferable.
If you are planning to read this book I recommend this edition, the notes were informative and provided details about what was censored or changed between the early versions of the novel. It felt worth it to read this once, but I suspect I would like a good adaptation better and will seek one out.
If you are planning to read this book I recommend this edition, the notes were informative and provided details about what was censored or changed between the early versions of the novel. It felt worth it to read this once, but I suspect I would like a good adaptation better and will seek one out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide, Murder