Reviews

Il ritratto di Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

ame_hadders's review against another edition

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4.0

4 stars

lelena1's review against another edition

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4.0

In general I liked it, but in some parts it was definitely boring. I didn't really enjoyed the start with the actress killing herself because it seemed detached from the story. I liked the part where Dorian kills Basil, that was full of action and very interesting. I hated the most the incredibly long chapter where Dorian reads the book that Henry gave him. I appreciated the ending, it was quite dynamic, but I would have liked for it to be longer.

oscarreads's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved watching Dorian go from this empty shell of a person to the bad guy. His internal monologues trying to figure out what’s inherently good or bad humanized him for me.

Lord Henry was a great villain. His sociopathic tendencies made for a great read and you for some reason still like him.

The plot was kind of predictable but I don’t think it takes away any enjoyment I experienced reading the book.

ainosorjonen's review against another edition

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inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

ibergem'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

4.0

arle_mccallon's review against another edition

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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

3.25

cnnor1704's review against another edition

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slow-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

2.5

irlstrawberry's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.0

emeraldgarnet's review against another edition

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2.0

The plot was interesting and it showed how depravity can set in when someone lets themself be easily lead.

When Wilde is focusing on characters and dialogue his style is good. However, when he describes settings and past actions his writing can become tedious. This is particularly evident when he rambles on about Dorian's attraction to fabrics and finery.

The book also has infrequent racism (antisemitism, particularly with the theatre manager [no real need to constantly call him 'the Jew', why not just call him by his name? Must we be reminded all the time that he is Jewish?], and also with the Malay people in the opium den). Whether this is merely a reflection of common beliefs of the late nineteenth century or whether it reflects badly only on Wilde is a question I do not know the answer to.

anafsilva's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced

4.25