thirza's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Murder
nneka's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I had to read this book for class. I've been putting it off for a while, but now I wish I had read it sooner. Oscar Wilde has a true way with words and A Picture of Dorian Gray was a masterpiece. I love the theme of appearance versus reality and it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Antisemitism
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A classic in so many ways with poignant reflections on youth, beauty and what makes a good person. There are also so many layers of queerness in each of the characters and their relationships.
It is certainly a product of its time, with several sexist comments and some antisemitic portrayals. Readers should be aware of this before beginning to read
It is certainly a product of its time, with several sexist comments and some antisemitic portrayals. Readers should be aware of this before beginning to read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Death, Murder, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, and Blood
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Suicide, and Antisemitism
queeniecraft's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Misogyny, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use
jm_doggo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use
loen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder and Drug use
passionatereader78's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I love the movie Legend of Extraordinary Gentleman which has a great Dorian Gray character. I have always wanted to read the book that was the bases for that character. This was interesting. I enjoyed the overall plot. Dorian Gray is Basil's muse. He is introduced to Lord Henry by Basil who is an artist. Dorian and Lord Henry become friends. Lord Henry influences Dorian's decisions. Lord Henry remains me of chaos. He's there to cause problems and watch the fall out. Basil paints a perfect picture of Dorian. Dorian believes he is in love with an actress named Cybil. As the years pass Dorian doesn't age, however,his portrait does. The portrait reflects the decisions Dorian has made throughout his life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Suicide
bblanka's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Sexism, Drug use, and Death
ckavella's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Addiction, and Murder
colin_s's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
4.25
Quote:
“Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.”
Setting:
The Picture of Doian Gray is set in a fictional Victorian English city. I found the city itself to be full of life and a bit of a character on it's own, full of sin wherever the reader went.
Plot:
Our story follows a young Dorian Gray as he get's his portrait painted by Basil Hallward. The name sake of the book comes out amazingly, Basil's best work. Soon enough Dorian wishes the painting would grow old and he would stay young. However one should be careful what they wish for as Dorian is soon to find out.
Writing:
Oscar Wilde's writing is tough to handle at times. I will admit a large part of that is when it was written and the changes in language since then. Previous to this attempt I had tried to read this book 4 different times and the first part was tough to get through, around the half way point I found myself used to this writing style and didn't mind it nearly as much.
Characters:
There isn't a wide array of cast in this novel, and I found myself sort of hating each character in their own way and for their own reason. I feel this actually does this novel well as it has a message and it is best deliveried due to this dislike of each character.
Pros:
A solid story with a message
Excellent character study
Cons:
Writing is tough to start
Ending feels quite rushed
Recommendation:
This novel likely needs no introduction. It is a Gothic classic in every sense and deserves a read. That took me 4 attempts so my biggest recommendation is don't force it. Try reading the book and if you can't break through take a break, put it down. Then after some time try again. I promise it's worth a read and wasn't what I expected exactly even knowing the premise ahead of time.
“Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.”
Setting:
The Picture of Doian Gray is set in a fictional Victorian English city. I found the city itself to be full of life and a bit of a character on it's own, full of sin wherever the reader went.
Plot:
Our story follows a young Dorian Gray as he get's his portrait painted by Basil Hallward. The name sake of the book comes out amazingly, Basil's best work. Soon enough Dorian wishes the painting would grow old and he would stay young. However one should be careful what they wish for as Dorian is soon to find out.
Writing:
Oscar Wilde's writing is tough to handle at times. I will admit a large part of that is when it was written and the changes in language since then. Previous to this attempt I had tried to read this book 4 different times and the first part was tough to get through, around the half way point I found myself used to this writing style and didn't mind it nearly as much.
Characters:
There isn't a wide array of cast in this novel, and I found myself sort of hating each character in their own way and for their own reason. I feel this actually does this novel well as it has a message and it is best deliveried due to this dislike of each character.
Pros:
A solid story with a message
Excellent character study
Cons:
Writing is tough to start
Ending feels quite rushed
Recommendation:
This novel likely needs no introduction. It is a Gothic classic in every sense and deserves a read. That took me 4 attempts so my biggest recommendation is don't force it. Try reading the book and if you can't break through take a break, put it down. Then after some time try again. I promise it's worth a read and wasn't what I expected exactly even knowing the premise ahead of time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Suicide
Minor: Drug use