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spineofthesaurus's review against another edition
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Classism, Murder, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria, Blood, Suicide, Gaslighting, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Alcohol
Moderate: Xenophobia, Ableism, Colonisation, Racism, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Gun violence
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
thewritetofight's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book was pretty good. I was surprised I was able to read it because old books like from Jane Austen give me an aneurysm trying to decipher. It took me forever to finish this book since I was already hurtling towards a read slump but when I picked it back up, I finished it fairly quickly. The only thing I didn’t like was how quickly Dorian descended into madness, like I felt like it was very abrupt; one moment he was innocent and the next he was frothing at the mouth and driving his lover to suicide.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Addiction, Death, Dysphoria, Murder, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, and Mental illness
Minor: Stalking
1_800_fuck_off's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
3.0
i read the dover thrift edition of this book.
i picked up this book on a whim because it had been sitting on my shelf for some time. even though the first two chapters piqued my interest, it wasn't enough to convince me that i had to read the remainder of the book. i did, however, manage to complete all of it on the same day.
the first half was fairly entertaining. i fw lord henry wotton. he was an amusing character, despite the fact that i didn't share many of his theories of life. despite the fact that he only made sporadic appearances by this point, he helped me finish the book's second half without becoming too bored. as amusing as he was, i do think lord henry most likely had a significant impact on dorian's development as the story progressed, though.
basil hallward was a bleeding heart. i liked him because there wasn't much to dislike about him—unless you don't like sympathetic characters, which he frequently presents as throughout the novel. he definitely loved dorian, and not just as a friend. my boy was in love. fortunately, even though i occasionally find these characters to be a bit boring, that wasn’t entirely the case with him. i had more pity for him than anything else, particularly after what became of him.
then, of course, we have dorian gray, who began as a kind, shy, gullible, and curious boy on the precipice of adulthood. ironically, i don't really have much to say about him. dorian gray grew obsessed with beauty and staying young forever. he learned the consequences that came with that obsession. i don't really feel very much about him as a character, other than the possibility that when i get older, i might be able to relate to him more. even now, in terms of appearance, i wouldn’t mind staying young forever, but i don’t quite envy the events that followed after dorian made such a wish.
the book's primary topic is youth. it describes its marvels and the fascination that the rest of the world feels for it. all of its highs and lows. the beauty and the wildness of it. the arrogance one might experience in what could be the prime of their lives and the unfathomable sense of invincibility that goes along with it.
now that i think about it, this book discusses society as a whole quite a bit. everyone has at some point envied youth and wished they could maintain that state of being and beauty forever. the people who are currently experiencing those years, which are frequently a source of envy for the rest of the world, have probably been through what dorian went through. most likely not in a specific way, but rather by being oblivious of the beauty of their youth until it has passed them by. some people have the good—or bad—fortune of having a lord henry wotton in their lives, whose character could also serve as a metaphor for society in general, who encourages them to take advantage of their youth and to focus only on their own needs. basically, to be selfish and chase pleasure in those fleeting years. youths are frequently subjected to the moans of those who long for that era once again or who regret not making the most of that brief period of time.
this book might make you seriously contemplate your present, your past, or your future. it's an intriguing classic, albeit a bit monotonous. especially the second half. even though it was somewhat expected, the ending was a bit of a "oh wow" moment in a positive sense. well, not entirely positive, but iykyk.
anyways. yeah. thought-inducing classic of a book. nice. on to the next book.
i picked up this book on a whim because it had been sitting on my shelf for some time. even though the first two chapters piqued my interest, it wasn't enough to convince me that i had to read the remainder of the book. i did, however, manage to complete all of it on the same day.
the first half was fairly entertaining. i fw lord henry wotton. he was an amusing character, despite the fact that i didn't share many of his theories of life. despite the fact that he only made sporadic appearances by this point, he helped me finish the book's second half without becoming too bored. as amusing as he was, i do think lord henry most likely had a significant impact on dorian's development as the story progressed, though.
basil hallward was a bleeding heart. i liked him because there wasn't much to dislike about him—unless you don't like sympathetic characters, which he frequently presents as throughout the novel. he definitely loved dorian, and not just as a friend. my boy was in love. fortunately, even though i occasionally find these characters to be a bit boring, that wasn’t entirely the case with him. i had more pity for him than anything else, particularly after what became of him.
then, of course, we have dorian gray, who began as a kind, shy, gullible, and curious boy on the precipice of adulthood. ironically, i don't really have much to say about him. dorian gray grew obsessed with beauty and staying young forever. he learned the consequences that came with that obsession. i don't really feel very much about him as a character, other than the possibility that when i get older, i might be able to relate to him more. even now, in terms of appearance, i wouldn’t mind staying young forever, but i don’t quite envy the events that followed after dorian made such a wish.
the book's primary topic is youth. it describes its marvels and the fascination that the rest of the world feels for it. all of its highs and lows. the beauty and the wildness of it. the arrogance one might experience in what could be the prime of their lives and the unfathomable sense of invincibility that goes along with it.
now that i think about it, this book discusses society as a whole quite a bit. everyone has at some point envied youth and wished they could maintain that state of being and beauty forever. the people who are currently experiencing those years, which are frequently a source of envy for the rest of the world, have probably been through what dorian went through. most likely not in a specific way, but rather by being oblivious of the beauty of their youth until it has passed them by. some people have the good—or bad—fortune of having a lord henry wotton in their lives, whose character could also serve as a metaphor for society in general, who encourages them to take advantage of their youth and to focus only on their own needs. basically, to be selfish and chase pleasure in those fleeting years. youths are frequently subjected to the moans of those who long for that era once again or who regret not making the most of that brief period of time.
this book might make you seriously contemplate your present, your past, or your future. it's an intriguing classic, albeit a bit monotonous. especially the second half. even though it was somewhat expected, the ending was a bit of a "oh wow" moment in a positive sense. well, not entirely positive, but iykyk.
anyways. yeah. thought-inducing classic of a book. nice. on to the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Classism, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Suicide, and Sexism
Minor: Stalking, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
first classic physically read. 🦦expected more homo moments. ✋🏽😔it’s probably just the edition i read though. 🥸 will definitely read the uncensored one. 😼sasquatch_3's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Murder, and Suicide
rossiell's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Murder, Death, Toxic friendship, Suicide, and Stalking
morgabby's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
From the start I really loved this book. Wilde’s way of describing things with his poetical flow was beautiful. It was intriguing ever since Basil described his infatuation with a gorgeous man named Dorian Gray. Lord Henry was quite an interesting character, despite his evil and hedonistic dialogues.
There were few flaws that I disliked in this book: some of the conversations during tea parties or lunches were boringly long, and the whole chapter of Dorian developing multiple hobbies over a time lapse of a few years was hard for me to get through—I just found it uninteresting and wanted to get back to the main plot. I also wanted more insight of the beginning of Dorian’s corruption.
But overall the story was so mysterious and quite a few chapters kept me on the edge of my chair with my eyes widening of interest and tension.
I SO wanted the end of the book to be James murdering Dorian a dramatic and vengeful death, and got so excited when he finally found Dorian and almost killed him. But I found it even more unfortunately fascinating that James was fooled by his youth, and that Dorian got away with it all. I was upset when James died the way he did, though.
BASIL DESERVED BETTER!! AND SO DID SYBIL VANE!!!
I like to believe that Dorian was more than just a muse to Basil. After Basil’s confession of complete adoration of the man, page 113 ends with “There seemed to be something tragic in a friendship so colored by romance.” If that isn’t hinting enough, I don’t know what is.
The ending of the book was a little anticlimactic, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Will definitely reread again 👍🏻👍🏻
Movie review: I just watched the 2009 movie and omg??? Certainly worth a watch if you enjoyed the book. Some things happen differently, but does not stray from the original story too much. Some of the scenes were very um graphic lol so that added much flavor to the story as well, just dont be in the room with your family. I love the added details that gave more backstory to Dorian’s father.
There were few flaws that I disliked in this book: some of the conversations during tea parties or lunches were boringly long, and the whole chapter of Dorian developing multiple hobbies over a time lapse of a few years was hard for me to get through—I just found it uninteresting and wanted to get back to the main plot. I also wanted more insight of the beginning of Dorian’s corruption.
But overall the story was so mysterious and quite a few chapters kept me on the edge of my chair with my eyes widening of interest and tension.
BASIL DESERVED BETTER!! AND SO DID SYBIL VANE!!!
I like to believe that Dorian was more than just a muse to Basil. After Basil’s confession of complete adoration of the man, page 113 ends with “There seemed to be something tragic in a friendship so colored by romance.” If that isn’t hinting enough, I don’t know what is.
The ending of the book was a little anticlimactic, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Will definitely reread again 👍🏻👍🏻
Movie review: I just watched the 2009 movie and omg??? Certainly worth a watch if you enjoyed the book. Some things happen differently, but does not stray from the original story too much. Some of the scenes were very um graphic lol so that added much flavor to the story as well, just dont be in the room with your family. I love the added details that gave more backstory to Dorian’s father.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Classism, and Sexism
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
Has a LOT of lokey crisis-inducing philosophical dialogues lolsarahna'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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Misogyny, Suicide, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Classism, Fatphobia, Addiction, Antisemitism, Body shaming, and Toxic friendship
_stephbroom_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Antisemitism
montyalmoro'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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
lizardteeth's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
"...That a burnt child loves the fire"
"I am not even singed. My wings are untouched."
"You use them for everything except flight."
- Personal Review
-
'Dorian Gray is a mediocre story, I really don't get the hype. Yeah, I was surprised Basil was killed by Dorian, but the rest was just 'OK'. I definitely see the LGBTQ overtones but that's what makes it uncomfortable. Wilde doesn't really glorify either of them yet it's still awkward especially considering Henry was grooming Dorian and was shocked when Dorian became deranged; like what did you expect? Also the antisemitism ? I thought at first it was in Dorian's POV, but it was continuous and expansive. I couldn't find concrete evidence Wilde was anti-Semitic but considering its popularity of the time it adds another uncomfortable layer to the mix.'
-
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Body horror, Classism, Suicide, Antisemitism, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Alcoholism
Minor: Addiction and Suicidal thoughts