Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

218 reviews

sandysmith's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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

3.25

I'm gradually adding books I've read in 2021 to give a true reflection of the books I've read since keeping records.  This was the first book I read in 2021, and is what kick-started my reading journey having put reading on the  back burner whilst bringing up the children, previously being an avid reader. Initially published in 1891 some of the writing is dated and slightly off putting with some of the views on womens worth.  Its a classic book and I'm trying to read a few each year. I did love the beautifully written prose, about a vain and corrupt man. Interesting and not the  story I expected.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Misogyny, Death, Suicide, Antisemitism, and Sexism

evemlacey's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad 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

4.75

 NOTE: I am very rare to give a book 5 stars, but I wasn't sure about this one. I think one of the reasons I did not give it five stars was the pacing and some of the misogyny displayed in the book.

The Picture of Dorian Gray was a wonderful read- and luckily, I went into it free of spoilers. I was rather satisfied with the ending. I felt as if it could've been slightly more dramatic but otherwise, I found it a logical yet poetic finish to the book.

If I could describe this book in three words, I would say eerie, meaningful, and poetic. Reading this made me realise once again what an incredible writer Oscar Wilde was. I've seen a few negative reviews from the book, but I genuinely enjoyed it.

I think a lot of people assume that Dorian Gray sells his soul to Lucifer, which is not true. I was a little confused at first but essentially, he just makes a wish to stay youthful and the portrait to instead reflect his age. It is unexplained how that works- but I like when the reader has to analyse and come to a conclusion by themself.

Overall, I would wholeheartedly recommend this book. It's a must-read.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Blood

Moderate: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, and Misogyny

willow1113's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Violence

Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Body shaming, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Mental illness, Antisemitism, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Alcohol, and Classism

Minor: Toxic relationship and Suicide

emnime's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Blood, Grief, Classism, Gore, Toxic friendship, Sexism, and Toxic relationship

sestout's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

if you think lord henry would hate you, then you're doing something right.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcohol, Animal death, Antisemitism, Classism, Misogyny, Sexism, and Drug use

Minor: Stalking and Suicide

bbmaan's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Murder, Self harm, Toxic friendship, Blood, Infidelity, Mental illness, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide attempt

mari3llann1's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious 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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder and Death

Minor: Sexism

waytoomanybooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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

3.0

Knowing about Oscar Wilde's past is crucial to reading this novel. It's not just that his gayness was an open secret, but that his targets weren't just men, but also boys. As in actual teenage children. Wilde was also openly Antisemitic and misogynistic in his real life and throughout the novel. What his three main characters do, say, think, and feel very closely mirrors Wilde's own. Much like the titular Dorian, it is clear that Wilde suffered from an inflated ego, was bloated with pride, and had a conscience that weighed him down...but not enough to change, grow, or do better. Trigger warnings abound throughout this novel as we watch Dorian explore the world of vice and sin, leaving a body count in his wake.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Gore, Alcohol, Classism, Colonisation, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Murder, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Cultural appropriation, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Misogyny, Suicide, Gaslighting, Alcoholism, Sexual violence, Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Child death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, and Toxic friendship

yellowbinge's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death, and Suicide

Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, and Antisemitism

evaeyre's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

super well written, and very poetic! in a way, it was a very good commentary on humanity and such qualities as vanity and hubris!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Death

Moderate: Suicide, Sexism, and Misogyny

Minor: Grief, Drug use, and Antisemitism