Reviews

I would consider this the Wal-Mart version of Edgar Allan Poe. Pretty good story but I would be better if I was alive when he wrote this book because a lot of the references I don’t understand. Also the relationship between Dorian, Basil, and Henry had creepy homoeroctic undertones.

votesforwomen's review against another edition

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3.0

Odd? Disturbing? Cautionary? Yes.

DELICIOUS in the creep factor? Also yes.

junyan's review against another edition

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3.0

I have mixed feelings for this book. I hate how male authors portray female characters, and this one is no exception. But I love the concepts and gothic vibe. When we put on the young and beautiful social mask, we lost piece of ourselves and get farther away from nature day by day. We are so afraid of getting old naturally and that's quite pathetic. However, Wilde seems to connect wrinkles and being old and ugly to immorality according to the gradual change of the picture, to which I disagree.

whippycleric's review against another edition

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dark inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was my first foray into Oscar Wildes work and I was very surprised. Like with most of my reading I went into it knowing very little. I knew the publication date so expected something a bit Dickensian but somewhat modernised. For the first few chapters this was what I got, the writing was sublime and I had an idea of where the story would go. Half way through and during the second half I came to the realization I was completely wrong. The writing remained as good as before but the plot became so much more than I expected.

I really struggled to decide between 4.5 and 5 stars for this one, and I migt very well change my mind later, but for now I've gone for 4.5. The only reason for this is that due to the length of the book I never got fully engaged with an individual characters arc. Whilst we see the entire life of Dorian Gray the central chapter covering his entire life in a series of beautifully written analogies does not, for me, build the life as well as it could if we just had a few vignettes for those years across several chapters. In addition I think a bit more about Basil and Lord Henry in those intermittent years could have gone a long way to fully rounding the story.

It's an absolutely brilliant book and I'll read the rest of his work soon I'm sure. Next time I visit his grave I'll have a greater appreciation as well.

lyrmcv's review against another edition

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dark 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

5.0

rileyreviews's review against another edition

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4.0

An interesting case study of selfish hedonism.

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