Scan barcode
A review by pinksreads
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
4.0
I have thoughts, but they're far from coherent.
I also have a void, I don't know what to read next.
I've made notes, but I can't seem to type them down. Because most of them are quotes and we've seen enough of that on Goodreads.
This book is unusual. And I feel like this is one of those rare books can can be good and bad at the same time. Not because it is philosophical, and open to interpretation. There are so many layers that you can peel, and each layer gives you a whole new perspective inside the brain of the three main characters: Dorian Gray, Lord Henry Wutton and Basil Hallaward.
Yes, Basil is one of the main character, by latent influence. And by far the most difficult layer, because we don't see his direct personality in the book. However, we can gauge him as an anti-Dorian, and that is how we know more about his nature than even Lord Henry, who is the supporting role. What makes Basil's personality less significant is the vagueness of the method of exposure of it. The interpretations and implications get murkier as the novel goes by.
I still stand by the fact that Basil Hallaward is relevant.
Other than that, for a book that revolves around characters, this has done its job too well. I've never seen more complexly written characters in years of reading. Lord Henry's influence on young Dorian is perceived in a very subtle manner, the implications far too catastrophic. Dorian Gray is not shown to have done tragic things explicitly, but underlying insinuations have broken their way through my mind and painted unimaginable horrors. The writing is a beauty if I ever saw one.
For someone not being able to understand the premise of a classic, I can see how this book is a tedious read. However, for those who are interested, it's just plain wonder, and an absolute debacle.
I feel like I will have to reread this book in couple months time, hopefully a paperback. I will have a more cohesive review then.
I also have a void, I don't know what to read next.
I've made notes, but I can't seem to type them down. Because most of them are quotes and we've seen enough of that on Goodreads.
This book is unusual. And I feel like this is one of those rare books can can be good and bad at the same time. Not because it is philosophical, and open to interpretation. There are so many layers that you can peel, and each layer gives you a whole new perspective inside the brain of the three main characters: Dorian Gray, Lord Henry Wutton and Basil Hallaward.
Yes, Basil is one of the main character, by latent influence. And by far the most difficult layer, because we don't see his direct personality in the book. However, we can gauge him as an anti-Dorian, and that is how we know more about his nature than even Lord Henry, who is the supporting role. What makes Basil's personality less significant is the vagueness of the method of exposure of it. The interpretations and implications get murkier as the novel goes by.
I still stand by the fact that Basil Hallaward is relevant.
Other than that, for a book that revolves around characters, this has done its job too well. I've never seen more complexly written characters in years of reading. Lord Henry's influence on young Dorian is perceived in a very subtle manner, the implications far too catastrophic. Dorian Gray is not shown to have done tragic things explicitly, but underlying insinuations have broken their way through my mind and painted unimaginable horrors. The writing is a beauty if I ever saw one.
For someone not being able to understand the premise of a classic, I can see how this book is a tedious read. However, for those who are interested, it's just plain wonder, and an absolute debacle.
I feel like I will have to reread this book in couple months time, hopefully a paperback. I will have a more cohesive review then.