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bestnarryever's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.5
RATING: 4.5 (but also 5! why not? this book is a gem)
I read this book reading the two versions in parallel. First, I read the uncensored, then I read the "censored", which I would call “revised version”: AND I RECOMMEND THAT EVERYONE DOES THIS!!
This is one of the best classics I've ever read, one of the most timeless classics, the discussion is still extremely up to date without being moralistic, which is impeccable. Oscar Wilde is also one of the best writers I've come across, with beautiful phrases (seriously, I used so many post it flags), paradoxes that make perfect sense and many painful truths that you accept because they are true. For those afraid to read classics: this book is a great starting point, the writing is simple, even though the book is from the 19th century.
ABOUT THE SPECIFIC VERSIONS
(There are no spoilers, but there are detailed comments, if you want to read the book 100% without knowing what's going on, the review ends here)
About the uncensored version: this was my favorite version, but not because there is content that has been deleted, but precisely because there is hidden content, which make this version better by not displaying everything firsthand. Oscar doesn’t direct your thoughts to a place, turning the protagonist into a victim of his time, which I think is exactly what happens when we discuss the subject of beauty.
Still, the character seems to regret it much faster, and the structure makes more sense, because we follow Dorian all the time. My only complaint, which can be overlooked, meaning it doesn't affect the quality of the book, is that I got lost a lot with the passage of time, but this may have been intentional because the character doesn't age. The rhythm is awkward, accumulating the best happenings at the end, but acceptable as it seems to reinforce Dorian's superficiality in a theatrical structure.
About the censored version: I would call this version revised because it only adds text and rewrites three sentences throughout the book.
This version has a change of point of view, which seems undocked (literally the only chapter of the censored version that could be erased). There is a more frequent presence of the character Harry, making Dorian look even more influenced, as the author intended.
However, Dorian also appears to be meaner in this version, because there are more events that make him demonstrate his true nature. The “victim of his time” completely fades, and some things seem to happen for much more superficial reasons.
I liked it, but I think not as much as the first one.
One of the best books of the year, wow!
I read this book reading the two versions in parallel. First, I read the uncensored, then I read the "censored", which I would call “revised version”: AND I RECOMMEND THAT EVERYONE DOES THIS!!
This is one of the best classics I've ever read, one of the most timeless classics, the discussion is still extremely up to date without being moralistic, which is impeccable. Oscar Wilde is also one of the best writers I've come across, with beautiful phrases (seriously, I used so many post it flags), paradoxes that make perfect sense and many painful truths that you accept because they are true. For those afraid to read classics: this book is a great starting point, the writing is simple, even though the book is from the 19th century.
ABOUT THE SPECIFIC VERSIONS
(There are no spoilers, but there are detailed comments, if you want to read the book 100% without knowing what's going on, the review ends here)
About the uncensored version: this was my favorite version, but not because there is content that has been deleted, but precisely because there is hidden content, which make this version better by not displaying everything firsthand. Oscar doesn’t direct your thoughts to a place, turning the protagonist into a victim of his time, which I think is exactly what happens when we discuss the subject of beauty.
About the censored version: I would call this version revised because it only adds text and rewrites three sentences throughout the book.
However, Dorian also appears to be meaner in this version,
I liked it, but I think not as much as the first one.
One of the best books of the year, wow!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Suicide
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Gun violence, and Gaslighting
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