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sagelikesscats's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Infidelity, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death of parent, and Classism
The classism is less of a thing that happens and more of a general presence throughout the book.kananineko's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Stalking, and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Racism, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Colonisation
dellydoos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
In true gothic literature, this classic was a delight to read, with its rich and detailed prose and very homoerotic imagery. From the way the words rolled off the pages, to the way the characters spoke to each other in such adoring fashion. The book's satirical humour was also a refreshing surprise. It often danced on the edge of the absurd, poking fun at the hypocrisy and superficiality of the society it portrayed. Wilde’s wit shone through, bringing a lightness to the otherwise sombre themes that underpinned the narrative. A brilliant contrast.
I also couldn’t deny how darn smart I felt when reading this. I felt a certain sophistication, a kind of literary camaraderie with all those esteemed enough to have read this book. I came away wanting to speak how the characters spoke in the book, “Ah, my dear Basil. How Mr Gray got the better of you.”
Ah, the themes that flow through these pages! Life, death, morality, vanity, and the beguiling allure of beauty – all masterfully woven into a tapestry of thought-provoking contemplation. Dorian Gray's inner monologue was a journey of its own. It was wild, unpredictable, and often disturbingly captivating. Through his thoughts, we were given a glimpse into the complexities of human nature, the struggle between desires and morality.
However, there were patches where my enthusiasm waned. Some conversations seemed to stretch on unnecessarily, detracting from the narrative's momentum. The beginning, for all its lush prose, left me a bit bored as the story found its footing.
A glaring flaw lay in the treatment of women in the story. Their roles were limited and often relegated to the sidelines, a reflection of the societal norms of the time. It's also impossible to ignore the presence of antisemitism within the narrative, a dark reminder of the prejudices that marred the era. This inclusion was jarring and unsettling and marked my reading experience.
Even so, this classic is certainly a classic, and the sub-text of Mr Oscar Wilde’s own personal life really leant itself into the narrative of this book. Read up on his history if you haven’t, and things will begin to make even more sense for you. 3.5 / 5 stars.
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, and Antisemitism
Minor: Suicide
thequeercaseofmarius's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
‘Why is your friendship so fateful to young men?’
Our main cast of characters are so very gay, and it’s crazy because it’s almost like Wilde met my gay friends and acquaintances and wrote a book about us (I like to think that I am Basil). But I also see each character as a different side to the Queer experience; Basil being the Queer artist who represents the beauty and tenderness of love between men, Lord Henry as the witty sass Queen that gay men are often viewed as from the outside, and Dorian represents Queer fears and anxieties that most of us have experienced some point in our life. The result is one of the most ingenious Queer horror stories ever written.
‘Each man sees his own sin in Dorian Gray. What Dorian Gray’s sins are no one knows. He who finds them has brought them.’
-Oscar Wilde
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Antisemitism, and Classism
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism
This novel is VERY dark as it covers a lot of internalised homophobia and fear of your own Queerness.dimlymad's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Suicide
froukjemelenhorst's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Antisemitism
lizziaha's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, and Classism
Minor: Animal death
ashybear02's review against another edition
- 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
2.0
Graphic: Gore, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
estefizaga's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and Classism
jessthanthree's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicide, Blood, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Body horror, Child abuse, and Alcohol