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katiedru98's review against another edition
4.0
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is definitely a book you will never forget. Dorian Gray starts out a young, innocent boy that inherits fortune from his family, but quickly finds himself attached to corruption. His downfall was falling under the spell of the witty and charming Lord Henry. Dorian listens and practices Lord Henry's every thought, paradox, and false wisdom and begins to become as corrupt as the society around him.
Oscar Wilde did a fantastic job displaying the reality of our human nature in this novel. Our looks can't save us from who we are inside. The worse Dorian became, the more insane he got over his deteriorating portrait and his sins. We, today, allow ourselves to be heavily influenced by tv, social media, and music that we become completely different people. I always believe that whatever you have done wrong in your life, you will live to regret it.
Also, this book does not have a happy ending. A lot of readers will sit down and think, "Okay, I think my hero/heroine has learned their lesson. I can just make them good again and they will live happily ever after." Wilde made sure not to give Dorian the happy ending. He was so far into the world of pleasure and corruption that he could never get himself out. This is a story about a hero's downfall; not redemption.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It made me stop and think about what I have done wrong or need to fix in my life. I find it fascinating that in stories like this, the message will always remain relevant in today's society. *4 stars*
Oscar Wilde did a fantastic job displaying the reality of our human nature in this novel. Our looks can't save us from who we are inside. The worse Dorian became, the more insane he got over his deteriorating portrait and his sins. We, today, allow ourselves to be heavily influenced by tv, social media, and music that we become completely different people. I always believe that whatever you have done wrong in your life, you will live to regret it.
Also, this book does not have a happy ending. A lot of readers will sit down and think, "Okay, I think my hero/heroine has learned their lesson. I can just make them good again and they will live happily ever after." Wilde made sure not to give Dorian the happy ending. He was so far into the world of pleasure and corruption that he could never get himself out. This is a story about a hero's downfall; not redemption.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It made me stop and think about what I have done wrong or need to fix in my life. I find it fascinating that in stories like this, the message will always remain relevant in today's society. *4 stars*
xnesti's review against another edition
dark
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
gummiest_spoon's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
cherryblossom7098's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
4.75
paleandhecticread's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bone_empress's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Racism, and Antisemitism
chelsea212's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
emmajohnson18's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
3.75
phinesse's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.75