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challenging
dark
sad
fast-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: Death, Toxic relationship, Murder, Toxic friendship, Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Suicide, Blood
Minor: Misogyny, Stalking
dark
reflective
slow-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
I remember enjoying this more when I first read it years ago - perhaps it works better on the page than in audiobook form. Certainly didn't care much for the narrator, who was serviceable but a little dull, but unfortunately this was the only version available from my library. I suppose it's either Wilde's style or the style of the times, but there were sections where the plot and characters are dropped temporarily in favour of a long essay on the themes of the book, which makes for a strange sort of novel. Don't get me started on the strange Jewish manager character.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Suicide, Murder
Minor: Drug use, Violence
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i’ll start by saying that i 100% understand why people are obsessed with this book. there’s something about it that is endlessly quotable and the fact that this book ended up being used against wilde in his trials adds this ominous mystique to it as well.
my overall review is: it wasn’t what i was expecting it to be at all.
i think maybe i would have loved it more had i read it earlier but there’s a language barrier and cultural sensitivity barrier that i think ruined the reading experience for me. this book wasn’t written for a queer black woman in the 21st century to read and it shows.
i do absolutely find the book fascinating and i’m glad to have read it. wilde’s characters felt so real and cemented in their identities here and i could almost see them in front of me. i knew some aspects of the story but i don’t think this is a story you can spoil because the true plot is in minute details - the underlying eroticism in basil’s infatuation with dorian, henry being a catalyst to dorian’s terrible character development even though it all sounded like a joke and then dorian himself starting off gentle and unspoiled and ending with killing himself out of vanity.
i find it fascinating just how many ‘rules for life’ henry could throw out to the world all for the plot and how he never expected anyone to actually take it seriously. i also found being in dorian’s head fascinating in a morbid sort of way, the way he could instantly detach himself from the tragedies he had created. him referring to basil’s body as a thing will live on in my mind for a while.
one of my main criticisms (outside of the weird way jewish or non-white people are discussed), is how so many things were left unanswered or not elaborated on.
- what were the crimes that caused basil to finally confront dorian?
- who is the woman from the tavern?
- what happened when they found dorian’s’ gross body?
as a reader, it was an at times frustrating experience but i would highly recommend listening to ben barnes narrating it.
my overall review is: it wasn’t what i was expecting it to be at all.
i think maybe i would have loved it more had i read it earlier but there’s a language barrier and cultural sensitivity barrier that i think ruined the reading experience for me. this book wasn’t written for a queer black woman in the 21st century to read and it shows.
i do absolutely find the book fascinating and i’m glad to have read it. wilde’s characters felt so real and cemented in their identities here and i could almost see them in front of me. i knew some aspects of the story but i don’t think this is a story you can spoil because the true plot is in minute details - the underlying eroticism in basil’s infatuation with dorian, henry being a catalyst to dorian’s terrible character development even though it all sounded like a joke and then dorian himself starting off gentle and unspoiled and ending with killing himself out of vanity.
i find it fascinating just how many ‘rules for life’ henry could throw out to the world all for the plot and how he never expected anyone to actually take it seriously. i also found being in dorian’s head fascinating in a morbid sort of way, the way he could instantly detach himself from the tragedies he had created. him referring to basil’s body as a thing will live on in my mind for a while.
one of my main criticisms (outside of the weird way jewish or non-white people are discussed), is how so many things were left unanswered or not elaborated on.
- what were the crimes that caused basil to finally confront dorian?
- who is the woman from the tavern?
- what happened when they found dorian’s’ gross body?
as a reader, it was an at times frustrating experience but i would highly recommend listening to ben barnes narrating it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Murder
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Antisemitism, Cultural appropriation
dark
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
Minor: Death, Mental illness, Murder
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
My opinion shifted as I read, but overall, I thought this was fantastic. It had stunning prose, a powerful message, and an incredible ending that made up for the slow chapters I didn't connect with. I see this becoming a favourite of mine. Some comments in the book were unpleasant, but as with any classic, l view it as a product of its time while still being critical. What struck me was Basil feeling like he put part of himself into his art. If art reflects its artist's soul, The Picture of Dorian Gray reflects Oscar Wilde's. I felt like I could sense his spirit within it. I felt his love & heartache, desires & fears, virtues & faults. It's more than fiction; it's a glimpse of his time, worldview, and emotions. The characters felt real because they contained a piece of Wilde. Their internal struggles were real because they reflected Wilde's own. It takes bravery to bear a piece of your soul to the world. He was a true artist.
There's a line between self-love and narcissism; Dorian Gray crossed it. He was more than his youth or beauty, but he couldn't see that. Obsession with beauty corrupted his soul. He was in love with his youthful appearance, leaving him unable to love another because he only cared for the superficial. Sybil loved Dorian. Basil loved Dorian. Dorian loved only himself, so he destroyed those foolish enough to love him. He destroyed lives because he lacked virtue & decency. He swayed others onto a path of vice just as Henry did to him. This book is a warning about untamed vanity, selfishness, and valuing pleasure above all else. The messages are even more relevant in the internet age.
Dorian kept his youthful, innocent appearance, even as his soul rotted. I had both loathing and enjoyment for his character. I wanted to see him change, be better, and find peace. Dorian Gray was selfish, hedonistic, and cruel... yet I felt bad for him. In the beginning, he was just a boy. His worldview was still evolving when it was tainted. Throughout, I found myself feeling deeply sad about his corruption. Was it Henry's influence that ultimately corrupted Dorian? Could the beauty of his soul have been saved, even by someone like Basil? Was he always doomed to realize that youth and beauty fade, and to lose himself to this? I felt like Dorian had an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other, with each of his friends swaying him in different directions. Ultimately, negative influence won, but it could've gone the other way. It was heartbreaking.
The idea of the painting showing not only age but also moral corruption of his soul was pure genius from Wilde. The ending left me stunned. Dorian realizing the depth of his corruption made my heart ache. Not even his insistence that he could be "good" was enough to save him. His fate, perhaps, was sealed from the beginning; it was tragic, but inevitable.
The idea of the painting showing not only age but also moral corruption of his soul was pure genius from Wilde. The ending left me stunned. Dorian realizing the depth of his corruption made my heart ache. Not even his insistence that he could be "good" was enough to save him. His fate, perhaps, was sealed from the beginning; it was tragic, but inevitable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Misogyny, Classism
Minor: Drug use, Racism, Grief, Alcohol
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
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
I absolutely hate Lord Henry. Beyond that, this was a beautiful, rich, and well written book that explores vanity, ego, and society. A lot of philosophical conversations, beautiful symbolism, and a masterful illustration of the descent into madness. Dorian fell into the vices of pleasure and pride as his actions no longer held a consequence—outwardly—and he had someone along with him to romanticize away the flaws of pursuing pleasure alone. "I have never searched for happiness. Who wants happiness? I have only searched for pleasure." It was just as he said: no happiness for the lovely and corrupt Dorian Gray, only pleasures that last for a moment and wilt the reputation away. Dorian was alone with the effects his actions had, and this isolation with his corruption ate away at him until he was driven to end it. Perhaps just not the way he intended. The copy I had was preowned and had someone else's notations! It was fun to read along with them for a bit, they mainly noted the symbolism of flowers in Sibyl Vane and Dorian's fleeting love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Death, Drug use
Minor: Animal death, Sexism
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Picture of Dorian Gray is a beautifully written exploration of vanity, morality, and the darker sides of human nature. Wild's prose is lush and evocative, creating a vivid atmosphere that pulls readers into the world of Dorian Gray. The characters are fascinating, each embodying complex ideas and relationships. Dorian's descent into corruption, Basil's tragic idealism, and Lord Henry's manipulative wit make up a compelling cast that keeps the philosophical themes alive.
However, the novel isn't without its flaws. The actual plot of the novel felt quite thin compared to the description once you realize how much of the book is filled with lengthy descriptions and chapters where nothing is done to advance the plot that is discussed in the synopsis. The descriptions while beautifully written were often unnecessary in my opinion and often slowed the pace of the novel. Despite, the few issues I had with the novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a thought provoking piece of literature that leaves a lasting impression.
However, the novel isn't without its flaws. The actual plot of the novel felt quite thin compared to the description once you realize how much of the book is filled with lengthy descriptions and chapters where nothing is done to advance the plot that is discussed in the synopsis. The descriptions while beautifully written were often unnecessary in my opinion and often slowed the pace of the novel. Despite, the few issues I had with the novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a thought provoking piece of literature that leaves a lasting impression.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Misogyny, Antisemitism
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, Drug use, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Gun violence, Infidelity, Self harm, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
dark
reflective
slow-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
Ugh, what a drag. In the beginning I was already considering a reread when I had more time to sit and sort out all the 19th century trappings but then came the mysogyny and antisemitism.
It had moments of being profane but overall was rather dull and the writing overly flowery.
Wanted to DNF several times but wanted to read it before reading Charming Devil by Rebecca Kenney.
It had moments of being profane but overall was rather dull and the writing overly flowery.
Wanted to DNF several times but wanted to read it before reading Charming Devil by Rebecca Kenney.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Classism
Minor: Suicide, Antisemitism, Alcohol
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Murder
Moderate: Misogyny