Reviews

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

mili_s's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

krisin95's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

jamie_el's review against another edition

dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

For the most part, I enjoyed reading this book. I respect its position as a piece of queer-coded literature as I very much feel that it was ahead of its time in terms of the social ideas tackled and the criticisms it puts on society. I feel like it very much stands the test of time in that regards, and really shoes Wilde's progressiveness. In saying that, the plot greatly confused me. There was so much exposition given and so little information given on the sins of Dorian Gray that I felt quite lost at times. And many characters were introduced who were then never mentioned again, which really confused me as to their purpose. Although I enjoyed it, I do think the story ran away from Wilde a little bit.

sebniv's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

dirtyheathen's review against another edition

dark reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

samanthag3's review against another edition

5.0

*beim zweiten Mal auf Deutsch gelesen

I stayed up until 3am to finish the last three quarters of this book because it was so entertaining. Wilde did a really good job with the psychological descriptions and I loved how drama soaked the entire book was. .

muirk128's review against another edition

3.0

I have to admit, I was expecting more of a Dr. Jackyll and Mr. Hyde type of story. I fluctuated between feeling badly for Dorian and hating him, but I'm not sure if that wasn't intended.

polyglot_booklover's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious relaxing sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

manjala's review against another edition

4.0

This story was pure art. Oscar Wilde's writing style is so wonderfully descriptive and beautiful, and the story was so atmospheric and interesting.

This has to be one of the most goth stories I have ever read. Dorian Gray is such an interesting character! I honestly wonder what would've happened if he didn't get influenced by the people that he was around, but instead made fully different decisions.

monicariccio's review against another edition

5.0

Basil Hallward you deserved better, I will be making a spotify playlist in your honour