The Picture of Dorian Grey
1890 • 254 pages
Ratings48
Average rating4
15
Ratings48
Average rating4
The Picture of Dorian Gray, the only novel by Oscar Wilde, was first published in 1890. A substantially revised and expanded edition was published in April 1891. For the new edition, Wilde revised the content of the novel's existing chapters, divided the final chapter into two chapters, and created six entirely new additional chapters. Whereas the original edition of the novel contains 13 chapters, the revised edition of the novel contains 20 chapters. The 1891 version was expanded from 13 to 20 chapters, but also toned down, particularly in some of its overt homoerotic aspects. Also, chapters 3, 5, and 15 to 18 are entirely new in the 1891 version, and chapter 13 from the first edition is split in two (becoming chapters 19 and 20). The novel tells of a young man named Dorian Gray, the subject of a painting by artist Basil Hallward. Dorian is selected for his remarkable physical beauty, and Basil becomes strongly infatuated with Dorian, believing that his beauty is responsible for a new mode of art. The Picture of Dorian Gray is considered one of the last works of classic gothic horror fiction with a strong Faustian theme. It deals with the artistic movement of the decadents, and homosexuality, both of which caused some controversy when the book was first published. However, in modern times, the book has been referred to as "one of the modern classics of Western literature. Oscar Wills Wilde (1854 – 1900) was an Irish writer and poet. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of London's most popular playwrights in the early 1890s. Today he is remembered for his epigrams, his only novel (The Picture of Dorian Gray), his plays and poetry, and the circumstances of his imprisonment and early death.
Reviews with the most likes.
I feel this story and character is better used in more elaborate story telling (ultimately what made me interested in this book). I did really enjoy the poetic prose and key plot points, although there seemed to be a lot of fluff I just lost interest in occasionally.
Woah. After a profound book funk, I am having some good luck with the last few books I've read.
This is my Ireland book around the world.
The prose is so beautiful, so engaging, and so wonderful to read that I thoroughly enjoyed this book just for that. The plot kept me interested and I really enjoyed this book. The end had me re-reading it because my jaw dropped at how it ended. SO. PERFECT.
I cannot wait to dive into Oscar Wilde some more!
Wilde's writing is beautiful and turns an offhand "if-only" into a story on the meaning of life and morality. The exposition is quite long as it takes half the book for the focus on the portrait to begin, and then chapter 11 definitely felt too long. If you're not fond of sociophilosophical conversation and introspective dialogue you might find the first half dry (maybe read the uncensored version instead since it's shorter? I am saying this prior to reading it though) but aside from that the second half suddenly becomes a page-turner. I recommend skipping Chapter 11 because it's far longer and more detailed than it needs to be. Overall though I enjoyed The Picture of Dorian Gray and have now ordered the uncensored version! It's definitely an insightful read into late nineteenth century England and - because this was my question prior to reading it - it's super gay as far as the 1800s go. Yay for historical gays :))
A classic tale in how too much vanity can be bad for you. Dorian Gray offers wit, sexual encounters and is clearly a classic to last the ages. What would you do if you could stay young forever? If you were given virtually infinite amounts of wealth? If you became completely self-indulged never thinking about the world and people around you? If living to seek out your desires and pleasures was your sole aim? Oscar Wilde explores these thoughts in this classic book, where a man never ages and a painting reflects all of his sins.
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