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kreglow 's review for:
The Uncensored Picture of Dorian Gray
by Oscar Wilde
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I will be honest: I did not care for the published version of Dorian Gray that most people are familiar with. It felt unfocused and seemed like a wild (or, perhaps Wilde) pursuit of tangents that felt like diversions rather than conducive to the story. As it turns out, this instinct was somewhat correct, as this original, uncensored version of Wilde's novel is much more focused, while allowing for Wilde to be creative and philosophical while still telling an engaging story. Gone are subplots and a cumbersome second half that seemed to have been added to fill pages, and in their stead are excerpts removed from the original draft that deepen the character relationships and make for a more engaging and tragic story. This is the version people should look for.
There is also a rather long introduction at the beginning of the book. Whether you choose to read it first or skip it and come back to it later, I highly recommend reading it, as it provides a lot more historical context and shows how Wilde's time shaped the work in all its forms.
There is also a rather long introduction at the beginning of the book. Whether you choose to read it first or skip it and come back to it later, I highly recommend reading it, as it provides a lot more historical context and shows how Wilde's time shaped the work in all its forms.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Medical content, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity