A review by writing_on_my_own
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

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

4.5

I loved this. I don’t read a lot of classics, but this was fantastic. It was dark and gritty and challenging, and yet the prose was easy to understand. 

The hardest thing about this book I think is the paragraphs on paragraphs of dense philosophy. So if you are alright with that you will enjoy this book.

This symbolism and themes of mortality and sin and beauty were so wonderfully explored, it was so darkly beautiful. It was peak gothic, and I can’t wait to read more of the Gothic period. 

All the characters were wonderfully flawed and awful, Dorian was such a compelling character.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings