enoemo's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Sexism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Alcohol, Gaslighting, Suicide, Classism, Colonisation, Stalking, Antisemitism, Blood, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Racial slurs, Drug abuse, and Racism
kajasversion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Murder and Stalking
Moderate: Suicide
sophtanda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Classism, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Gun violence, Misogyny, Stalking, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Violence
avocadotoastbee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The plot sounds promising:
Young Dorian Gray wishes that his portrait would age and bear the marks of his sins instead of him. When he realizes that his wish is coming true, he commits all kinds of sins, while keeping his young, perfectly pure appearance.
The execution was disappointing though:
The book starts slowly and then, in the second half of the book, events suddenly overturn. Also, none of the events really follow through. I was disappointed that after each eventful chapter there was another big time jump. I had expected more. Also, it became very predictable as time went on.
The absolute worst thing, however, was the character of Lord Henry Wotton. With Lord Henry, Wilde has created the most misogynistic character ever. But that's not all, The Portrait of Dorian Gray contains many problematic characters and statements. The racism, anti-semitism, and misogyny that were ever-present completely spoiled the reading experience.
But not all of it was bad:
I enjoyed the little bits of wisdom and queerness Wilde sprinkled in.
The underlying exploration of aging, indulging in "pleasures", pain, living with dark secrets and death was well done and endlessly quotable.
“What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose […] his own soul?”
Overall, I know Oscar Wilde is a Gay Icon and can do so much more, but The Picture of Dorian Gray just wasn't for me.
Graphic: Antisemitism, Stalking, Racism, Addiction, Misogyny, Drug abuse, Death, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Sexism, Racial slurs, Murder, and Drug use
Moderate: Classism and Blood
Minor: Colonisation
dilara2912w's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Blood, Drug use, Addiction, Murder, Classism, Death, Drug abuse, and Injury/injury detail
gentleprocrastination's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Classism, Death, Murder, Body horror, and Homophobia
Moderate: Addiction, Blood, Antisemitism, and Suicide
Minor: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, and Stalking
hamarhemmo's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Stalking, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Dysphoria, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Antisemitism
Minor: Alcohol and Outing
jasperdotpdf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
good book. v good prose. lord henry‘s opinions made me want to punch him in the face. incredibly gay subtext. the occasional completely unchallenged sexism & use of antisemetic stereotypes were bothersome. chapter 11 was pure torture. really funny at times & frequent slander of the british. absolutely iconic ending.
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Sexism, Antisemitism, and Misogyny
Minor: Stalking and Drug use
velokei's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Antisemitism, Toxic friendship, and Stalking
Minor: Racism
Spoiler
Rip Dorian you would have loved the neighbourhoodSpoiler
feelinwitchy's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Antisemitism, Classism, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Death, Misogyny, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, Suicide, Stalking, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Addiction