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dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Classism
Minor: Racism, Antisemitism
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've heard people say this is predictable and to not read it for the plot. I actually enjoyed the plot very much and I didn't find it predictable because when I read, I just stay present and don't think ahead of try to "solve" anything. It was very good and easy to read for a classic.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Antisemitism
dark
mysterious
tense
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, Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Antisemitism
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fantastic book. Very poetic is beautifully written. However, I will say there was a bit of anti-semitism in the book, however this might be due to the fact that the main character is meant to have bad morals, however this doesn’t get challenged by the author is any way. I found that aspect of it difficult to love.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Xenophobia, Antisemitism
dark
emotional
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
The sitter is merely the accident, the occasion. It is not he who is revealed by the painter; it is rather the painter who, on the coloured canvas, reveals himself. The reason I will not exhibit this picture is that I am afraid that I have shown in it the secret of my own soul.
The Picture of Dorian Gray derives its power from being both timeless and a time capsule: simultaneously a window into the superficiality of Victorian aristocracy and an eerily relevant tale of our society's enduring obsession with youth and beauty. Dorian's moral degradation is subtle and poignant, arguably amplifying following Sybil's death and as a result of Lord Henry's influence. This novel is a series of character studies, with each arc's resolution suitably poetic -- particularly those of Dorian and Basil. I also think it's worth acknowledging that the perspective in this book is deliberately very white, British and male, making it an interesting commentary on masculinity. I would argue that much of the misogyny shown on the page is deliberate and plot-relevant.
This was my first time reading anything by Oscar Wilde, and I was surprised by how overt the queer undertones were. I've similarly found Wilde's commentary on his relationship to his characters to be one of the more interesting takeaways here, with him noting that "Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be—in other ages, perhaps.” Much to research, anyways -- it's clear that this novel is inseparable from Wilde himself.
I've knocked off some points for the odd painfully overwritten section (Chapter 11, for example) which hindered my enjoyment throughout. I definitely had to push through at times, but am glad to have finally read this one.
This was my first time reading anything by Oscar Wilde, and I was surprised by how overt the queer undertones were. I've similarly found Wilde's commentary on his relationship to his characters to be one of the more interesting takeaways here, with him noting that "Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be—in other ages, perhaps.” Much to research, anyways -- it's clear that this novel is inseparable from Wilde himself.
I've knocked off some points for the odd painfully overwritten section (Chapter 11, for example) which hindered my enjoyment throughout. I definitely had to push through at times, but am glad to have finally read this one.
Those who are faithful know only the trivial side of love: it is the faithless who know love's tragedies.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Suicide
Minor: Racism, Antisemitism
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Suicide, Murder
Moderate: Sexism, Violence, Antisemitism, Classism
Minor: Animal death, Gun violence, Blood
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, Alcohol, Classism
dark
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: Murder
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Racism
dark
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: Death, Suicide, Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Antisemitism
"The sin we had done once, and with loathing, we would do many times, and with joy."
I really liked the censored version without knowing much about it. This was so much better, more complex and more queer.
I really liked the censored version without knowing much about it. This was so much better, more complex and more queer.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Violence, Antisemitism, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol