A review by greyys_libraryy
The Picture Of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 The Picture of Dorian Gray wasn’t what I was expecting it to be, but it was good nonetheless. I thought the story was medium-slow-paced, and there were areas where it lulled. Some chapters were, in my opinion, filler and unnecessary. Despite this, the book was still very enjoyable. I believe that many of the characters were made to specifically be unlikeable, to show the time that it took place in. During that time period, the nihilism period was beginning. That was the idea that life had no real meaning and that there was no true value to it. I think this can be seen in the behaviors of Dorian. 

To me, Dorian was an unlikeable character, but I loved the story anyways. The themes of art and youth went hand in hand with the portrait that changed as he became older. I think the misconception is that the photo aged with him, but from what I figured out the photo aged with his “sins”. 

The theme of homosexuality was not as blatant as I had expected and as people made it out to be. It is not an erotic gay love story as many people say it is, it’s a very subtle theme that you would miss if you weren’t looking for it. I thought it almost made it more intimate than some of the stories now that have more of that theme. 

I would recommend this book to anyone. I think it’s a good classic to start with. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings