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jhasd's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mauprasaude's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
amitreads24_7's review against another edition
4.0
"The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde is a masterpiece that captivates readers with its timeless narrative and thought-provoking themes. As a lover of classics, I found this novel to be a compelling and haunting exploration of human nature.
I gave it a solid 4 stars because it successfully combines the elements I enjoy in classic literature with a touch of spine-tingling suspense. The plot is brilliantly crafted, weaving a tale that is both engaging and disturbing. The transformation of Dorian Gray, influenced by the portrait that ages instead of him, adds a unique and eerie dimension to the story.
It serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how hard one tries to conceal their true self or escape the repercussions of their sins, the universe keeps an account, and karma eventually catches up.
Here are some lines from the book :
I gave it a solid 4 stars because it successfully combines the elements I enjoy in classic literature with a touch of spine-tingling suspense. The plot is brilliantly crafted, weaving a tale that is both engaging and disturbing. The transformation of Dorian Gray, influenced by the portrait that ages instead of him, adds a unique and eerie dimension to the story.
It serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how hard one tries to conceal their true self or escape the repercussions of their sins, the universe keeps an account, and karma eventually catches up.
Here are some lines from the book :
There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.
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.
Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul.
The advantage of the emotions is that they lead us astray, and the advantage of science is that it is not emotional.
To get back one's youth, one has merely to repeat one's follies.
When we are happy, we are always good, but when we are good, we are not always happy.
There is luxury in self-reproach. When we blame ourselves, we feel that no one else has a right to blame us.
There is a fatality about good resolutions- that they are always made too late.
You come down here to console me. That is charming of you. You find me consoled, and you are furious, How like a sympathetic person!
"When a woman marries again, it is because she detested her first husband. When a man marries again, it is because he adored his first wife. Woman try their luck; men risk theirs."
Not "Forgive us our sins" but "Smite us for our iniquities" should be the prayer of man to a most just God.
4siren's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
spunj_boi's review against another edition
I'm coming back for this! Just wasn't in the mood right now.
cursed_hal's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
The horror was amazing, the concept of human decadence and the description of the soul decomposing like a corpse
The horror was amazing, the concept of human decadence and the description of the soul decomposing like a corpse
mdevlin923's review against another edition
4.0
Dorian Gray wishes to live a life of luxury while maintaining his beautiful, youthful appearance. His wish comes true...and a painting of him changes for the worse each time he does something immoral or cruel.
afterttherain's review against another edition
5.0
re-read in 2024: girl i didn't realise dorian gray was such a problematic human being lol
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“The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.”
The Picture of Dorian Gray was one of my #1 5-star prediction and I have to say that it absolutely did not disappoint. I love, love, love, Oscar Wilde (as we all know), and I think reading this becomes so much more meaningful exactly because I learned about Wilde's life. Oscar Wilde is incredibly gifted when it comes to writing about humans and the imperfections of our souls - the dark sides. There is something about how beautifully this book was written while talking about, well, very dark not very beautiful things.
--
“The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.”
The Picture of Dorian Gray was one of my #1 5-star prediction and I have to say that it absolutely did not disappoint. I love, love, love, Oscar Wilde (as we all know), and I think reading this becomes so much more meaningful exactly because I learned about Wilde's life. Oscar Wilde is incredibly gifted when it comes to writing about humans and the imperfections of our souls - the dark sides. There is something about how beautifully this book was written while talking about, well, very dark not very beautiful things.