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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!
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Mental illness, Violence, Death, Sexism, Suicide, and Classism
olivia444's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Loveeeeee❤️ worthy of all the hype!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
lazmataz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
Moderate: Sexism, Infidelity, Classism, Misogyny, Suicide, and Mental illness
olive_lol's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Murder, and Suicide
Moderate: Violence, Classism, Sexism, and Antisemitism
Minor: Blood, Animal death, and Gun violence
catherinedsharp's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-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
4.0
DISCLAIMER - I read this text as a set text for university meaning I did not pick this up for myself. It does not necessarily fit my usual reading selection so my review may be rather biased.
Really poetic and interesting reflection. Got a little slow towards the middle but picked up again and was a dark but good read.
Really poetic and interesting reflection. Got a little slow towards the middle but picked up again and was a dark but good read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Classism, Death, Murder, and Suicide
bookishmagpie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol, Classism, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Antisemitism, and Drug use
kattypillar13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Picture of Dorian Gray is a difficult read if you like to root for characters in novels. That said, the characters are not designed to be likeable. The story reflects the problems of a culture obsessed with youth, aesthetics, and appearances, and it does so in a complex manner. It is a well-written novel which unsettles the reader and encourages them to reflect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Classism, Death, Racism, and Sexism
riverofhorton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
So to start, this book was not what modern media had lead me to believe it would be, but that is definitely not a bad thing. In the modern media, the characters are straight or at the straight end of bi/pan, whereas here they're straight, gay, or at the gay end of bi/pan. Had I not gone into this knowing Wilde was gay, I would have been wondering after a couple pages. One of the male characters is madly in love with Dorian and at throughout his character arc, I found myself crying tears of both joy and heartbreak at various points.
One of the few things I didn't find enjoyable about this book, was Chapter 11. I understand the intention behind that particular chapter completely, but for me it seemed to drag on too much and added relatively little to the story that couldn't have been contained in a couple of paragraphs.
Here is a bullet pointed review I posted elsewhere online:
One of the few things I didn't find enjoyable about this book, was Chapter 11. I understand the intention behind that particular chapter completely, but for me it seemed to drag on too much and added relatively little to the story that couldn't have been contained in a couple of paragraphs.
Here is a bullet pointed review I posted elsewhere online:
- Dear God, the gay. I don't even want to count how many gay bits I tabbed.
Basil is an absolute sweetheart and deserved way better. Dorian could have been an amazing person, if he hadn't been corrupted. Harry can suck a d*ck. To paraphrase the Frankenstein Vs. monster thing: Knowledge is knowing Harry isn't the villain, wisdom is knowing Harry is the villain. Alan reminded me of Dr Jekyll in a lot of ways, which I liked but I don't know if this was intentional or just my brain. - Chapter 11 dragged so much, and only really added
"Dorian spent 18 years collecting hobbies, some of which will be briefly mentioned later." Probably going to skip it next read. - And yes, I will be re-reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Classism, Toxic friendship, Physical abuse, Violence, Abandonment, Alcohol, Suicide, Infidelity, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
thestrangebeingyouare's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Addiction, Mental illness, Murder, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Classism, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, Body horror, Drug use, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Antisemitism
the story is strange and beautiful, but the main characters are all extremely flawed. there are also some aspects of misogyny and antisemitism that are unrelated to the plot, so i do warn you to be aware of the authors prejudices so you can critically read the story.zia_c's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved everything about this but I don't know where the lgbtq section was in the whole story. Maybe it was in thr one I skimmed through.
Don't care about others opinion of Henry (Harry) but he's my favourite character.
Don't care about others opinion of Henry (Harry) but he's my favourite character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Misogyny, Blood, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexism, and Transphobia