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mcfetish's review against another edition
4.0
Missing that fifth star because it is an absolute tragedy that Dorian Gray is blonde.
mdobel's review against another edition
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
4.0
rachel_d_roy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
4.5
lizziebeex3's review against another edition
3.0
Let me start by saying I respect this book.
Was it for me? I suppose…yes and no.
The language was beautiful. Reading alongside an audiobook made it all the richer. It was almost necessary because of all the French and unfamiliar words. The beginning of the book had me intrigued and drawn in with the descriptors really transporting me back to that era and making me feel like I was in Dorian’s shoes. Who is this Lord Henry? He draws me in with the way he speaks, but some of his ideas are questionable. The general attitudes toward vanity, women, etc…I had conflicting feelings toward him because he was both likable and detestable. They speak on influence:
“Because to influence a person is to give him one's own soul. He does not think his natural thoughts, or burn with his natural passions. His virtues are not real to him. His sins, if there are such things as sins, are borrowed.”
This is exactly what Lord Henry did to Dorian Gray, despite Basil Hallward’s plea. He influences him to the core, causing Dorian to lock his soul into this painting, and later gift Dorian a book that further drives him into depravity. Starting with Sybil Vane and the first effect on the painting, Dorian is a death sentence to just about all but Lord Henry, a sort of devil who led Dorian into hell and temptation. It’s a bit funny that Oscar Wilde got in trouble over this novel because it seems to be sort of a warning against immorality, in my opinion.
The middle of this book is where it really dragged for me. I think it was chapter 11 where the descriptors were endless in a way that I felt didn’t add anything…I just couldn’t wait to get through it. Beyond that, the middle chapters in general felt mostly unnecessary. We never really get to know exactly how bad Dorian got or what he did specifically (aside from Basil and the girl at the end) which left me wanting more; I’d rather have known his crimes than painful detail about his interests, although I suppose this adds some mystery.
Finally in the end I felt like I got back into it. I was certainly happy Lord Henry’s wife left him, (run, girl!). What disappointed me was as gifted as Wilde is with language, he didn’t dig into that last chapter and final scene deeper…it was a satisfying end but could have been richer, more like the rest of the book. I think I would have enjoyed this more as a novella, cutting out unnecessary droning detail and telling a more efficient, but still beautifully written, story.
Three stars for it being beautifully written, but poorly structured (in my humble opinion), my disinterest threatening to take over and making it difficult to get through. Respectable, just perhaps not entirely for me.
Was it for me? I suppose…yes and no.
The language was beautiful. Reading alongside an audiobook made it all the richer. It was almost necessary because of all the French and unfamiliar words. The beginning of the book had me intrigued and drawn in with the descriptors really transporting me back to that era and making me feel like I was in Dorian’s shoes. Who is this Lord Henry? He draws me in with the way he speaks, but some of his ideas are questionable. The general attitudes toward vanity, women, etc…I had conflicting feelings toward him because he was both likable and detestable. They speak on influence:
“Because to influence a person is to give him one's own soul. He does not think his natural thoughts, or burn with his natural passions. His virtues are not real to him. His sins, if there are such things as sins, are borrowed.”
This is exactly what Lord Henry did to Dorian Gray, despite Basil Hallward’s plea. He influences him to the core, causing Dorian to lock his soul into this painting, and later gift Dorian a book that further drives him into depravity. Starting with Sybil Vane and the first effect on the painting, Dorian is a death sentence to just about all but Lord Henry, a sort of devil who led Dorian into hell and temptation. It’s a bit funny that Oscar Wilde got in trouble over this novel because it seems to be sort of a warning against immorality, in my opinion.
The middle of this book is where it really dragged for me. I think it was chapter 11 where the descriptors were endless in a way that I felt didn’t add anything…I just couldn’t wait to get through it. Beyond that, the middle chapters in general felt mostly unnecessary. We never really get to know exactly how bad Dorian got or what he did specifically (aside from Basil and the girl at the end) which left me wanting more; I’d rather have known his crimes than painful detail about his interests, although I suppose this adds some mystery.
Finally in the end I felt like I got back into it. I was certainly happy Lord Henry’s wife left him, (run, girl!). What disappointed me was as gifted as Wilde is with language, he didn’t dig into that last chapter and final scene deeper…it was a satisfying end but could have been richer, more like the rest of the book. I think I would have enjoyed this more as a novella, cutting out unnecessary droning detail and telling a more efficient, but still beautifully written, story.
Three stars for it being beautifully written, but poorly structured (in my humble opinion), my disinterest threatening to take over and making it difficult to get through. Respectable, just perhaps not entirely for me.
komy's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best classics I've ever read. The writing style manages to be descriptive without sounding needlessly wordy. The development of Dorian's character was fascinating to watch.
draven_deathcrush's review against another edition
I'm finally trying to weed through my classics collection to ones that i actually want to read, and I've tried this book so many times and I just can't get into it at all.
emilyv17's review against another edition
5.0
One day when I have the time I will go back and read this book again, note every passage, truly look through each and every quote, and look at it from a different perspective.
Without going through and over analyzing every moment, all I can say is this book was amazing.
Without going through and over analyzing every moment, all I can say is this book was amazing.
canolew's review against another edition
dark
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
4.0
benhouchen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
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
5.0