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A review by silly_little_clown
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I haven’t read any classics for so long and this book was on my list ever since I watched the film Wilde by Stephen Fry. So when a trip to Ireland was planned, I immediately thought of bringing this book with me on the for the journey.
Although the book doesn’t have much to do with Ireland itself, I thoroughly enjoyed it on the trip nonetheless.
I would say that the first act of the book (before the the painting starts revealing Dorian’s sins) dragged too much for me. I find the philosophical soliloquies that Lord Henry goes on and on about really difficult to read through (perhaps because I’m not used to classical writing). But right after the incident with Sybil Vane, everything picks up and I found the plot and characters more enjoyable from that point on.
Absolutely devastated about poor Basil’s fate. The moment when Dorian invited him to his locked room where the portrait was in, I had a suspicion that he’s probably going to be murdered. And I was unfortunately right. Alan Campbell too, I do wonder what Dorian has written in the note he passed to him that made him stricken with horror and was compelled to help Dorian dispose of Basil’s body.
I really liked reading Dorian’s descent into paranoia. I just really liked reading the build up and the eventual downfall. I do on some level empathize with Dorian as a character. To be honest I understand why he felt a sadistic triumph watching the portrait bear the wrinkles and cruelty that he himself inflicted instead of marring his porcelain skin and reveled in it too.
Although the book doesn’t have much to do with Ireland itself, I thoroughly enjoyed it on the trip nonetheless.
I would say that the first act of the book (before the the painting starts revealing Dorian’s sins) dragged too much for me. I find the philosophical soliloquies that Lord Henry goes on and on about really difficult to read through (perhaps because I’m not used to classical writing). But right after the incident with Sybil Vane, everything picks up and I found the plot and characters more enjoyable from that point on.
Absolutely devastated about poor Basil’s fate. The moment when Dorian invited him to his locked room where the portrait was in, I had a suspicion that he’s probably going to be murdered. And I was unfortunately right. Alan Campbell too, I do wonder what Dorian has written in the note he passed to him that made him stricken with horror and was compelled to help Dorian dispose of Basil’s body.
I really liked reading Dorian’s descent into paranoia. I just really liked reading the build up and the eventual downfall. I do on some level empathize with Dorian as a character. To be honest I understand why he felt a sadistic triumph watching the portrait bear the wrinkles and cruelty that he himself inflicted instead of marring his porcelain skin and reveled in it too.