Reviews

Le Portrait de Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

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ambrose_7's review against another edition

1.0

I really didn't like this book. I easily would have DNF'd it if I didn't have to read it for my English class but because I did, I ended up reading the entire thing. I was excited to read it too, a book that's widely acclaimed and has a plotline that on the outside sounds pretty interesting. Dorian Gray remaining youthful while a painting takes on his slowly degenerating morals and subsequent sins.

But it didn't end up being what I thought it would be, it was mostly LOOONG talks about philosophy that wern't interesting in the slightest. For most of the book I was just struggling to concentrate which is never a good sign. I was so board and done by the time I got to parts that were semi-interesting it just didn't matter because I knew in a couple pages I'd be board again. Now I will say maybe I'm not at the age for this book and in 2o years I'll re-read it and find interest in all of the conversations but I think at most it's a 50/50 chance. Because I could understand enough of the conversations I just either didn't agree or didn't care about them.

Next, I hated all the characters, I didn't get connected to a single one the entire book which is one of the pleasures of storytelling. I hated Dorian and everyone else as soon as they were introduced. Basil wasn't bad but he was too boring to actually connect with. Most of the characters were rich and lazy as hell and talked all day because they didn't actually need to do anything meaningful with their lives. They act superior and snooty and because that's the only thing you see, I don't understand how anyone likes this book. I don't care about their conversations and parties, it was all boring. The writing is pretty good and fancy, but I don't actually get anything from the words. I don't see how this book could have been made better which is something I always consider when I have problems with a book. I think so much would have to be changed for me to enjoy this book it would be a entirely different book.

Pretty disappointed, I was expecting more.

miaa0812_'s review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective 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

5.0

mellatiku's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

msaenger's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-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

5.0

scookiecat's review against another edition

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medium-paced

4.0

I might have to listen to the audiobook when I reread this. But this classic literature is something else that I kinda got lost in (in a good way though). Dorian Gray as a character was tragic, beautiful, and yet short lived that pretty much comes full circle towards the ending.

These quotes will be haunting me from this day onwards:

“You will always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you never had the courage to commit.”

“Experience is merely the name men gave to their mistakes.”

“You like every one; that is to say, you are indifferent to every one.”

derry's review against another edition

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5.0

I will always be currently reading this book. I frequently revisit sections and absolutely adore it- so much so that I have a tattoo of a line from this book. Dorian Gray is an exquisite exploration of sin, guilt, and vanity. Almost every line feels like a double entendre or witty punchline and I cannot get enough of it.

In my brief stint as a cover teacher, I would seize any opportunity I had to talk about Oscar. Oh, no work set for your Literature lesson? Let's analyse a section of The Ballad of Reading Gaol. Oh, no work for Drama? Let's crack out some Earnest. I am eternally indebted for all of the motivation and witty pick me ups provided by this wonderful man.
-------------
“What of art?” she asked.

“It is a malady.”

“Love?”

“An illusion.”

“Religion?”

“The fashionable substitute for belief.”

“You are a sceptic.”

“Never! Scepticism is the beginning of faith.”

“What are you?”

“To define is to limit.”