Reviews with content warning for Murder - O Retrato de Dorian Gray

From the start I really loved this book. Wilde’s way of describing things with his poetical flow was beautiful. It was intriguing ever since Basil described his infatuation with a gorgeous man named Dorian Gray. Lord Henry was quite an interesting character, despite his evil and hedonistic dialogues.

There were few flaws that I disliked in this book: some of the conversations during tea parties or lunches were boringly long, and the whole chapter of Dorian developing multiple hobbies over a time lapse of a few years was hard for me to get through—I just found it uninteresting and wanted to get back to the main plot. I also wanted more insight of the beginning of Dorian’s corruption.

But overall the story was so mysterious and quite a few chapters kept me on the edge of my chair with my eyes widening of interest and tension.

Spoiler

I SO wanted the end of the book to be James murdering Dorian a dramatic and vengeful death, and got so excited when he finally found Dorian and almost killed him. But I found it even more unfortunately fascinating that James was fooled by his youth, and that Dorian got away with it all. I was upset when James died the way he did, though.

BASIL DESERVED BETTER!! AND SO DID SYBIL VANE!!!

I like to believe that Dorian was more than just a muse to Basil. After Basil’s confession of complete adoration of the man, page 113 ends with “There seemed to be something tragic in a friendship so colored by romance.” If that isn’t hinting enough, I don’t know what is.

The ending of the book was a little anticlimactic, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Will definitely reread again 👍🏻👍🏻

Movie review: I just watched the 2009 movie and omg??? Certainly worth a watch if you enjoyed the book. Some things happen differently, but does not stray from the original story too much. Some of the scenes were very um graphic lol so that added much flavor to the story as well, just dont be in the room with your family. I love the added details that gave more backstory to Dorian’s father.

Content Warnings

braipointon's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The messages and themes in this piece are so interesting and still relevant today, especially beauty and youth. I didnt expect to love the study of how we influence others as much as I did. Very philosophical which was sometimes hard to get through, but the later half of the book flew by. Also, highly suggest looking into the book’s historical context before reading.

Content Warnings

teehuggz's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

combruction's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This book has really struck home that there is a significant difference between books I don't like but appreciate, and books that I don't like and can't appreciate. Thankfully, The Picture of Dorian Gray falls into the former category.

I do not enjoy this sort of book: the kind with no redeemable characters, sad outcomes, injustice...

Spoiler

The only justice that is served is to the titular character, but the truth is that he is not the character who deserves it the most.

Still, the ending gave me a grim (if hollow) satisfaction.

I think the most brilliant bit of writing for me is that though both Basil and Henry (Dorian's closest friends) create and feed into Dorian's ego, is that these two characters act as the angel and devil on his shoulders. Chapter 13 becomes even more poignant when I view the characters in these terms. This book, in my limited view, is about the dichotomy of good and evil that lives within all of us (and I find it interesting that my understanding of evil is that it is rooted in the flesh, Dorian's greatest concern). Wilde obviously understood that certain behaviors, though they may not always effect our outward appearance, can kill our souls - our spirit. The sad thing is that I wonder if Wilde would agree with my thought that Basil is the person we should aspire to be akin to, or if he thought that the Basil in us holds us back, as Dorian is the character he would have liked to be.

It's this final feeling that keeps me from "liking" this book. There is a certain amount of cynicism and coldness toward morality throughout that disgusts me. I did not enjoy this read, but I can say that I do think it is meaningful in that it is a test of worldview , and how we should go about living the kind of life that is the most fulfilling, most lived?

Content Warnings