Scan barcode
elenorpillips's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
After reading the Metamorphosis and now this book, I believe this sort of horror-esque genre is one of my favorites. This book was great, it wasn't too slow yet took it's time, and it felt very natural. It wasn't what I expected but it did made even more sense to be the way it is rather than what I initially thought. Dorian Gray's character progression was amazing and he felt so real.
The concept was excellently done and played out so well. I found myself very drawn to each character, but Lord Henry in particular and the way his presence influenced Dorian. It was very clear that Dorian Gray relished in being known from the start and how far he would go to maintain that image (no pun intended). The themes explored were all very clearly stated but still felt like a natural progression of where the story was leading.
It didn't outright tell you what to think or Dorian or any other characters, but what others thought of them and them of themselves. That created an atmosphere of complexity for each character. How we could live in their head for a few moments but it always came back to Dorian Gray and his thoughts. It all revolved around Dorian yet didn't fault in forgetting about other characters which I feel many books tend to do. It praised Dorian yet resented him, and by establishing Dorians relationship with the portrait, or another version of himself, it showed a mirror between the two ways people perceived him.
The title really encapsulates the entire story. My favorite detail being the use of 'picture' rather than how the characters frequently mention it: 'the portrait'. A picture is not just a painting, it is a representation. It shows Dorian but represents his soul and who he truly is.
The main thing that halted me from giving it 5 stars was just how descriptive it was. I was glad to have experienced it in audiobook form as it made the agonizing descriptions and details of items and, in my personal opinion, situations we didn't really need much depth on, much more bearable. I wish Oscar Wilde would've killed his darlings, but I can empathize as that it a huge struggle as an author.
All this to say: the ending was easily the best part. Not to compare it to my review of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, but to contrast it. It tied everything up, made perfect sense, and wasn't rushed. It ushered a sense of severity yet suddenness that forces you to pay attention. A perfect climax that falls into an ironic subversion of expectation. Though I had theorized that would be how it played out, I did not expect it to be true, just a mere fantasy as I do when reading books; always wishing that was how it played out. But it was perfect: the only ending the book should've had.
It is fabulous, a great starting point in classics and in gothic horror. Yes it is complicated and unnecessary at times, but it makes up for it.
After reading the Metamorphosis and now this book, I believe this sort of horror-esque genre is one of my favorites. This book was great, it wasn't too slow yet took it's time, and it felt very natural. It wasn't what I expected but it did made even more sense to be the way it is rather than what I initially thought. Dorian Gray's character progression was amazing and he felt so real.
The concept was excellently done and played out so well. I found myself very drawn to each character, but Lord Henry in particular and the way his presence influenced Dorian. It was very clear that Dorian Gray relished in being known from the start and how far he would go to maintain that image (no pun intended). The themes explored were all very clearly stated but still felt like a natural progression of where the story was leading.
It didn't outright tell you what to think or Dorian or any other characters, but what others thought of them and them of themselves. That created an atmosphere of complexity for each character. How we could live in their head for a few moments but it always came back to Dorian Gray and his thoughts. It all revolved around Dorian yet didn't fault in forgetting about other characters which I feel many books tend to do. It praised Dorian yet resented him, and by establishing Dorians relationship with the portrait, or another version of himself, it showed a mirror between the two ways people perceived him.
The title really encapsulates the entire story. My favorite detail being the use of 'picture' rather than how the characters frequently mention it: 'the portrait'. A picture is not just a painting, it is a representation. It shows Dorian but represents his soul and who he truly is.
The main thing that halted me from giving it 5 stars was just how descriptive it was. I was glad to have experienced it in audiobook form as it made the agonizing descriptions and details of items and, in my personal opinion, situations we didn't really need much depth on, much more bearable. I wish Oscar Wilde would've killed his darlings, but I can empathize as that it a huge struggle as an author.
All this to say: the ending was easily the best part. Not to compare it to my review of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, but to contrast it. It tied everything up, made perfect sense, and wasn't rushed. It ushered a sense of severity yet suddenness that forces you to pay attention. A perfect climax that falls into an ironic subversion of expectation. Though I had theorized that would be how it played out, I did not expect it to be true, just a mere fantasy as I do when reading books; always wishing that was how it played out. But it was perfect: the only ending the book should've had.
It is fabulous, a great starting point in classics and in gothic horror. Yes it is complicated and unnecessary at times, but it makes up for it.
ryoreads's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was my first Classic read, and this book was the first to make me read for its writing, I found more vocabularies, and good quotes about someone—about myself that I didn’t know would relate to the main character. It was confusing for those who never read classic books because it was for me. But it gave me mixed feelings (in a good way) at the end, that’s why 4.5 stars happened.
ellieg2604's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It was a little hard to get into the book, but once I did it was really interesting. I loved how Dorian developed throughout the story.
keqingtan's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“The Picture of Dorian Gray" unfolds believably and naturally and prettily. Reading this was like watching a play straight through: characters walk in and out without explanation, play their part, then leave. There are very few, if any, dull or slow moments. Wilde also has this incredible ability to create and unravel vivid scenery: the book is largely about beauty, but also a very beautiful thing in itself. My only complaint was the lengthy passage in the middle where he rambled on and on about the various garments and jewelry that Dorian fixated on, with vague historical or literary allusions. But this doesn't affect the questions about art and pleasure that this novel poses. It's also fascinating to see how the three main characters--namely Basil, Lord Henry, and Dorian--come to represent ideas, and the interaction between the three speaks to the corruption of said ideas. This interplay alludes to Wilde's own beliefs about hedonism and art, which were often preached directly from Lord Henry's mouth. I found that hearing LH's thoughts on this subject and that subject enhanced the story rather than weakened it, though I understand that those who appreciate a more Chekhovian approach would have liked if LH were a more subtle character. Overall, a sickening but beautiful read.
roonilxwaslib's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Murder
kautaru's review against another edition
4.0
Beginning was definitely a 5 stars for me, but at one point, reading the book felt more like a chore than entertainment, but it ended on a pretty good note, which is why my final rating is 4 stars. The biggest thing I applaud is that people weren't exaggerating when they said that I'd want to highlight every sentence in this book. The sentences are so charged and full of subtext. Wonderful! The problem with this is if every sentence is like that for the whole book, it definitely takes a toll on the reader (I literally needed to take breaks while reading this so my brain wouldn't short-circuit). Another striking thing about this novel is the morals portrayed in it, the utterly backwards morals. I've never read a book that I have so firmly and vehemently disagreed with. It's better to be beautiful than good? Indulge in every sin known to man? Live life without any consideration for other people? Damn. No wonder Dorian Gray turned out the way he did. But maybe this book is trying to do that thing where it seems like it's agreeing with these morals by portraying them, but it's actually doing the exact opposite by showing the consequences of having such morals (hint: Dorian's end). The interesting thing is that its usually obvious when a book is doing that; it's not very obvious for this one. Something to ponder. Wouldn't say that it's a masterpiece, but I can confidently say that there isn't any book like this one. Definitely not everyone's cup of tea though.
alayna017's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this 2nd reading of Dorian Grey along with the Close Reads podcast. Definitely get more from the classics when I have some explanation and study from a different perspective. As always, Dorian was a study in how not to be, how vanity is fleeting and deadly!
cassmpt's review against another edition
4.75
C'est un très bon livre qui représente bien l'importance de l'âme chez un individu. cet ouvrage remet également en cause les questions de la beauté, de l'art...D'un côté, c'est un livre très moralisateur sur beaucoup d'aspects : Déjà de maniere tres clair l'homosexualité est mis en valeur, à aucun moment les femmes ne sont mentionnés à part Sibyl Vane dont Dorian "admire". On ne donne oas très grande importancr à ces dernières. Les leçons de vie de Lord Henry serait très censé si ce n'était paspas lui-même qui les donnait. La religion est beaucoup abordé notamment avec l'histoire sur les sept oéchés capitaux qui ont l'air d'intriguer et d'attirer Dorian. Il y a aussi, évidemment, la question de la construction de soi. Est ce que Dorian a-t-il besoin des autres pour finir comme il a finit ? On ne sait pas maos ce qu'on sait c'est que Lord Henry a attrapé entre les mailles de son filet un jeune homme prometteur et attentionné, mais la vie en a décidé autrement
beitidh_flitcroft's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0