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A review by ishita_arya
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
5.0
The Picture of Dorian Gray was a book I loved with my with my entire heart and yet hated almost all of the characters with a burning passion. Usually, I enjoy a book only if I care for the characters however this book went against the grain. The portrayal of gradual dissent into evil was immaculate and I would highly recommend this book if you are drawn towards villains and in the mood for reading a corruption arc.
Lord Henry was one the most infuriating characters I’ve ever read. He was one those pretentious and annoying people, who we know all to well. The one whose opinion no one asked for yet, they go on long rants about it all the same. He was a cynic, and hated everything that had an actual repercussions in society brushing it off as ugly.
This book, while written in highly conservative intolerant society has strong queer undertones. The three main male characters definitely (okayyy that’s an exaggeration but I picked up some strong vibes and so did multiple other readers whose reviews/thoughts I read) harbour romantic feelings towards one another and get jealous of their affections with someone else. This added another layer to the book and the actions of its characters because it was hard to distinguish whether relationships were platonic or more. This book was also one of the prominent catalysts for the unfortunate imprisonment Oscar Wilde.
The prose throughout the book was poetic and beautiful, but there was one chapter where the flowery writing just seemed to go on and on and on without a purpose and I wasn’t a big fan of that.
This book had important discussion on the importance our society puts on outward appearance, and the loss of innocence throughout our lives. An intense obsession with beauty, that is now especially prevalent in the age of the internet, makes this book especially relevant.
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Even if you’ve never read any classic ever (besides the required reading you hated doing for school) this book is for you. If you’ve read this book already feel free to share your thoughts below and if you haven’t what are you waiting for!!!!!
https://ishitathinks.wordpress.com/
Lord Henry was one the most infuriating characters I’ve ever read. He was one those pretentious and annoying people, who we know all to well. The one whose opinion no one asked for yet, they go on long rants about it all the same. He was a cynic, and hated everything that had an actual repercussions in society brushing it off as ugly.
This book, while written in highly conservative intolerant society has strong queer undertones. The three main male characters definitely (okayyy that’s an exaggeration but I picked up some strong vibes and so did multiple other readers whose reviews/thoughts I read) harbour romantic feelings towards one another and get jealous of their affections with someone else. This added another layer to the book and the actions of its characters because it was hard to distinguish whether relationships were platonic or more. This book was also one of the prominent catalysts for the unfortunate imprisonment Oscar Wilde.
The prose throughout the book was poetic and beautiful, but there was one chapter where the flowery writing just seemed to go on and on and on without a purpose and I wasn’t a big fan of that.
This book had important discussion on the importance our society puts on outward appearance, and the loss of innocence throughout our lives. An intense obsession with beauty, that is now especially prevalent in the age of the internet, makes this book especially relevant.
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Even if you’ve never read any classic ever (besides the required reading you hated doing for school) this book is for you. If you’ve read this book already feel free to share your thoughts below and if you haven’t what are you waiting for!!!!!
https://ishitathinks.wordpress.com/