Reviews

Portrait of Dorian Gray: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (Reader's Choice Edition) by Oscar Wilde

bearcatbookworm's review against another edition

2.0

For all of the brilliant pithy quotes, this was unexpectedly cynical and depressing.

polluxa's review against another edition

4.0

A dark, twisted look into the author's brilliant, decadent mind. The gorgeous proses are definitely a huge bonus for me. This book made me realize that not only am I in love with Wilde's writing, I'm also hugely attracted to his personality.

jbs7's review against another edition

5.0

A deep and insightful book about shallow self absorbed aristocrats. What happens when all of import relates to appearance and pleasure rather than compassion and generosity?

Wilde’s command of language continually impresses as does his ability to recognize and express the contradictions in our behavior. Greg Wise’s narration was excellent, captured characters perfectly.

Wish I had read (listened to) this a long time ago.

freja_johansen's review against another edition

dark emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

"He is all my art to me now"

morgcalabs's review against another edition

4.0

this was such a fun read !! the drammaaa i love it, dudes loving dudes

laneybugxcx's review against another edition

4.0

I love this novel for how it portrays Dorian's ideal image to us while hiding his true nature under a portrait. It kept me wondering what would appear before us next--because after all, art impresses most upon the viewer...It also makes me wonder just how much Dorian actually 'did' because we know he murdered Basil, but really...what else was there? We know he has done a bunch of bad things, but what specifically are they? We truly don't know because we are ultimately viewing what he does as wrong as though we are perceiving him as his portrait form. Really loved Wilde's portrayal of this

4 stars only because I am still so incredibly frustrated at Lord Henry's damn paradoxies....

castorpolluxx's review against another edition

challenging mysterious fast-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

3.75

alongapath's review against another edition

4.0

I can say nothing new about this classic - including why did I wait so long to get to it?.

In those first chapters, I was absolutely enthralled with Wilde's incredible description. You could smell the lilacs and the paint thinner. You could judge these men's wealth and status by the cut of their suits. And you could feel the tension ever-building as young Dorian absorbed the dialogue about the fleeting beauty of youth.
Somewhere in the middle - chapter 15-17 - I felt the whole story stalled out. Dorian was indulging in all things vintage and antique, fixated on what happens to 'things' as they age. These chapters became simple lists of objects that meant nothing to me. The action stopped, as did the conversation. I could have done without.
Luckily it all picked up again after this lull and I fell in love once again with Wilde.

jmcglo's review against another edition

4.0

Thought provoking and disturbing, especially these days. So many cautionary tales of classism, cold-heartedness, and inability to be satisfied.

modernprometheus's review against another edition

dark reflective sad 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