Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

254 reviews

mari3llann1's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Murder

Minor: Sexism

waytoomanybooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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

3.0

Knowing about Oscar Wilde's past is crucial to reading this novel. It's not just that his gayness was an open secret, but that his targets weren't just men, but also boys. As in actual teenage children. Wilde was also openly Antisemitic and misogynistic in his real life and throughout the novel. What his three main characters do, say, think, and feel very closely mirrors Wilde's own. Much like the titular Dorian, it is clear that Wilde suffered from an inflated ego, was bloated with pride, and had a conscience that weighed him down...but not enough to change, grow, or do better. Trigger warnings abound throughout this novel as we watch Dorian explore the world of vice and sin, leaving a body count in his wake.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

yellowbinge's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective 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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Murder

Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Antisemitism

evaeyre's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

super well written, and very poetic! in a way, it was a very good commentary on humanity and such qualities as vanity and hubris!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Murder, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Suicide

Minor: Drug use, Antisemitism, and Grief

kirjakimalainen's review against another edition

dark sad 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Antisemitism, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Classism

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Blood and Death of parent

marionhoney's review against another edition

dark funny medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, and Classism

Minor: Racism and Antisemitism

wowsmeows's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad 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

3.5

"Beautiful sins, like beautiful things, are the privilege of the rich."

I went into Dorian Gray without knowing anything about it, and I really enjoyed it for the most part.

The main story is intriguing and there was a few unexpected moments that I really enjoyed. The three main characters (Dorian, Henry and Basil) are so incredibly unlikeable and would be tedious to know in real life, yet I still found them to be engaging. I think this book is a great example of how main characters do not have to be likeable for a story to be enjoyed. 

The thing I disliked about the novel novels is that it feels like the story gets interrupted by the author going on a personal tangent and lecturing the audience.  I really struggled through one specific chapter and I very nearly didn't pick it back up again. It felt very preachy and really interrupted the story. 

Overall, I enjoyed The Picture of Dorian Gray and I'm glad I picked it up!

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, and Classism

libra_sun's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense 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

5.0

I went into this book with zero knowledge of the plot, and I think it was the right choice. I couldn't put it down, I wanted to know what was happening and I love the way the mystery unfolded. It was an amazing reflective piece on society's obsession with beauty, and it is still wholly relevant, especially with the rise of social media. The idea that being beautiful means you are good. 
My one critique is that there is a bit of rambling in some passages, but it's kind of par for the course in these types of books. 
Anyways, I thoroughly enjoyed and definitely recommend. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism

diaday333's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

All I have to really say about this book is that the writing is beautiful. Everything description is absolutely lovely and the book is so quotable. “She was usually in love with somebody, and, as her passion was never returned…” It definitely deserves its spot as a classic. And honestly, I feel like it is a must read for everyone. We never actually learn about Dorian’s life and the things he does and what makes his soul so stained, but I think that’s actually a good thing. You can only image. After all, we only learn through rumors, all which Dorian does not confirm or deny. Also I was add chapter 11 was something else— and what I mean by that is that it was just straight yap 😭 overall, I will be thinking of this books writing style and quoting it until the day I die. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism

liamray's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism and Murder

Moderate: Drug use and Antisemitism