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challenging
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism
dark
funny
mysterious
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
This book could ruin lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Suicide, Antisemitism
dark
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Witty prose and dialogue are the heart of Wilde’s writing—easy to read, engaging, and the first book I actually finished this month so that says a lot about the pacing :)
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Violence
adventurous
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Murder
challenging
dark
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Murder
Moderate: Suicide
challenging
dark
slow-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
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Suicide, Violence, Blood
Minor: Antisemitism, Death of parent, Classism
challenging
dark
tense
slow-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
It’s hard to disassociate the book from its author and this edition does a thorough job of giving the historical context of Oscar Wilde’s life and the reasons for the different versions of Dorian Gray.
Even though written over a hundred years ago, much of the philosophical exploration of youth, beauty, art and virtue still ring true. It’s clear why this tale has stood the test of time.
Even though written over a hundred years ago, much of the philosophical exploration of youth, beauty, art and virtue still ring true. It’s clear why this tale has stood the test of time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Suicide
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m glad I read this because it’s always good to read the classics. That said, I was a bit disappointed because it feels as though it’s been hyped up all my life as this big Thing. Whereas it just felt neutral. It was a book. It did its job. Not bad, but perhaps overhyped.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Suicide, Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Suicide
dark
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
Some parts of this were really compelling and some parts were just lists of jewels and things (including racist depictions of people from other countries). Also has some very striking anti-Semitism and misogyny. Harry is the classic "edgy contrarian at a party" and Basil is strangely religious (as a book, it's surprisingly Catholic). Looking forward to seeing the Broadway adaptation with Sarah Snook!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Suicide, Antisemitism, Murder