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A review by thefussyreader
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
5.0
2nd Read Review: 22/10/18
Whenever I read this book, I try to imagine what it must have been like to have a conversation with Oscar Wilde, least of all a debate or argument. That is one argument I would never win. The man is pure wit and intelligence. He's not backward in coming forward as far as his opinions are concerned and it's easy to see these opinions through his every piece of work.
A common theme he seemed to work with was society life and exposing the ridiculousness of it all. His characters often toe the edge between conventional and unconventional, conforming to the society norm or defying it.
Dorian Gray, as a character, is a prime example or defying the conventional. From a young, shallow naive boy to a man of the world, pushing societal expectations to the limit. He is a fascinating character to watch grow throughout the story and I only find him more interesting with each read.
I love the way Harry plants the seed of an ideal in Dorian's mind and then sits back and watches it grow. Dorian is easily manipulated and takes the opinions of others as his own. Every word Harry speaks, every truth he twists and societal norm he breaks down, are an epiphany to Dorian, opening his eyes to things that are only there because Harry has made him believe that are there. Because he is so malleable, he lives by Harry's influence and bleak but vivacious outlook on life like a doctrine.
The only thing better than the character development in this book is the beautiful, eloquent writing. Wit drips from Lord Harry's every word and some of his ideas are so sharply stated that it leaves me grinning like an idiot, head spinning, at the genius of it all.
The ending is outstanding. Quite possibly my favourite book ending ever. So simple and brief, but utterly effective and unexplained, but no explanation is needed at all. A bitter sweet end to a bitter sweet boy who lived his life through corruption of the soul.
The ultimate classic Gothic horror story of vanity and morality and mortality and how each can cancel out the other.
1st Read Review: 21/07/15
I so absolutely fell in love with this book.
From the word go I was hooked.
The Picture of Dorian Gray is one of those stories that everyone knows, whether they've read the book or not.
We all know the story of the man that didn't age, but whose painting did, and the actual book is a million times better than any imagining of it.
Oscar Wilde is a literary genius and this book is so beautifully written it almost reads like poetry. Such a descriptive piece of work, always engaging, and never boring.
The characters are loveable and their development throughout the story is subtle but noticeable, gradual rather than abrupt and realistic. Dorian goes from a young, innocent, naive boy, loved by many, to the exact opposite. We witness the changes in his character as though we're there with him. And Harry's slight goading and corruption is unyielding. He is just as fascinated by Dorian's character as the reader and Oscar Wilde has us reading on to discover what terrible thing Dorian will do next and how it will effect that dreadful painting of him.
Very dark read, but wonderful in every sense of the word. Definitely one of the best books I've ever read, purely from it's gorgeous writing style. More books should read as well as this one does.
Whenever I read this book, I try to imagine what it must have been like to have a conversation with Oscar Wilde, least of all a debate or argument. That is one argument I would never win. The man is pure wit and intelligence. He's not backward in coming forward as far as his opinions are concerned and it's easy to see these opinions through his every piece of work.
A common theme he seemed to work with was society life and exposing the ridiculousness of it all. His characters often toe the edge between conventional and unconventional, conforming to the society norm or defying it.
Dorian Gray, as a character, is a prime example or defying the conventional. From a young, shallow naive boy to a man of the world, pushing societal expectations to the limit. He is a fascinating character to watch grow throughout the story and I only find him more interesting with each read.
I love the way Harry plants the seed of an ideal in Dorian's mind and then sits back and watches it grow. Dorian is easily manipulated and takes the opinions of others as his own. Every word Harry speaks, every truth he twists and societal norm he breaks down, are an epiphany to Dorian, opening his eyes to things that are only there because Harry has made him believe that are there. Because he is so malleable, he lives by Harry's influence and bleak but vivacious outlook on life like a doctrine.
The only thing better than the character development in this book is the beautiful, eloquent writing. Wit drips from Lord Harry's every word and some of his ideas are so sharply stated that it leaves me grinning like an idiot, head spinning, at the genius of it all.
The ending is outstanding. Quite possibly my favourite book ending ever. So simple and brief, but utterly effective and unexplained, but no explanation is needed at all. A bitter sweet end to a bitter sweet boy who lived his life through corruption of the soul.
The ultimate classic Gothic horror story of vanity and morality and mortality and how each can cancel out the other.
1st Read Review: 21/07/15
I so absolutely fell in love with this book.
From the word go I was hooked.
The Picture of Dorian Gray is one of those stories that everyone knows, whether they've read the book or not.
We all know the story of the man that didn't age, but whose painting did, and the actual book is a million times better than any imagining of it.
Oscar Wilde is a literary genius and this book is so beautifully written it almost reads like poetry. Such a descriptive piece of work, always engaging, and never boring.
The characters are loveable and their development throughout the story is subtle but noticeable, gradual rather than abrupt and realistic. Dorian goes from a young, innocent, naive boy, loved by many, to the exact opposite. We witness the changes in his character as though we're there with him. And Harry's slight goading and corruption is unyielding. He is just as fascinated by Dorian's character as the reader and Oscar Wilde has us reading on to discover what terrible thing Dorian will do next and how it will effect that dreadful painting of him.
Very dark read, but wonderful in every sense of the word. Definitely one of the best books I've ever read, purely from it's gorgeous writing style. More books should read as well as this one does.