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akashapaulina's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
awkwardsnitch's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-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
3.5
I had no sympathy for any of these characters and felt they all (save for one) got what was coming to them. The tension and mystery of the story is great and follows to a natural conclusion.
masonjreads's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.5
grapejuicejenny's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
livi77fly__'s review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
verybooksessed's review against another edition
4.0
whenever i can’t seem to decide whether or not i disliked a book because of the novel itself or the morbidly jarring characters, i take it as a positive sign that i read a well-written novel.
for me, most intriguing was the realization that henry wutton isn’t the actual culprit here. sure, he exerts a certain degree of influence over dorian’s thoughts and successfully manages to indoctrinate him with his crude thinking. but that’s all there is to henry wutton. self-centered and adamant on gaining a reaction from the masses, but is never really controversial by action. he still conforms to the customs of victorian society and participates in its activities.
dorian gray possesses agency and the ability to consistently filter his choices and ideas based on what is convenient for him to believe at a given moment. he chooses to be the victim to avoid embarrassment. he convinces his mind of his virtuous motives to lessen feelings of guilt. he detaches from his actions to avoid accountability. he is, by every sense of the word, evil.
in my belief, it is the power of thought that caused his descent to madness and shame rather than a prayer or the devil’s work. dorian gray took “art imitates life” to whole new level and merges his soul with his portrait, believing that it could mark his sins and keep track of his flaws. in the end, even if society never punished dorian gray for his sins, he does it to himself anyway.
other than the fact that the author would go into tiresome bouts of detail, i really liked reading this book and am still quite disturbed by its plot.
also, basil deserved better✊
for me, most intriguing was the realization that henry wutton isn’t the actual culprit here. sure, he exerts a certain degree of influence over dorian’s thoughts and successfully manages to indoctrinate him with his crude thinking. but that’s all there is to henry wutton. self-centered and adamant on gaining a reaction from the masses, but is never really controversial by action. he still conforms to the customs of victorian society and participates in its activities.
dorian gray possesses agency and the ability to consistently filter his choices and ideas based on what is convenient for him to believe at a given moment. he chooses to be the victim to avoid embarrassment. he convinces his mind of his virtuous motives to lessen feelings of guilt. he detaches from his actions to avoid accountability. he is, by every sense of the word, evil.
in my belief, it is the power of thought that caused his descent to madness and shame rather than a prayer or the devil’s work. dorian gray took “art imitates life” to whole new level and merges his soul with his portrait, believing that it could mark his sins and keep track of his flaws. in the end, even if society never punished dorian gray for his sins, he does it to himself anyway.
other than the fact that the author would go into tiresome bouts of detail, i really liked reading this book and am still quite disturbed by its plot.
also, basil deserved better✊
frandelaney's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
a really interesting book representing the egotistical and the selfish of the upper classes, i absolutely loathed the main characters which was primarily why it took so long for me to finish. i found the writing quite wordy, with sentences often too long and mouthy (though it is an old book so i shouldn’t be surprised), i really liked the lists of materialistic items midway through the book; making me feel alike to dorian in one way, obsessed with pretty things.
death to harry please
death to harry please
justinies's review
dark
reflective
tense
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
3.5
woodglimm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.5
all i knew before reading was "theres dorian and his portrait ages instead of him". it was a VERY fun read, i devoured this book (reading slump who???). might need to reread it in english (i just happen to own this german version, got it for free), definitely the gayer version if i can find a copy.
absolutely worth a read in my opinion.
absolutely worth a read in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Suicide
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism