Reviews

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

hdkroon's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

4.25

everyone is terrible, chapter 11 almost killed me

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Drug use, Misogyny, Suicide, Alcohol, Antisemitism, Classism, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Murder, Racism, and Sexism

hoodsicle's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective 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

4.5

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a tale of tragedy and intrigue that follows a young man fallen victim to the trappings of youth and the longing for eternal beauty. Mesmerized by a portrait made of himself, the young man finds himself entangled in a deal

that takes his soul in exchange for eternal youth, with the titular picture at the heart of his growth, demise, and everything alongside it all.

The book contains an additional layer of complexity as it mirrors Wile's own life and death trajectory in many ways, as well as reflecting and commenting on his homosexual desires in ways that would ultimately ricochet in his real life. A true tale of the Romance Era, the book is rife with commentary on art, its nature, its importance (or lack thereof) and on the myth of aesthetics. 

kebabarian86's review against another edition

dark reflective 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

4.0

mcrenshaw96's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective slow-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

3.5

elizkacz's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

dijana_1's review against another edition

dark informative mysterious reflective sad 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

4.0

elliot_os's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

macieeden's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

a_aron14's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

anaelle_jnt's review against another edition

inspiring mysterious slow-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

5.0