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eyesofcrows's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
It’s a truly extraordinary story of vanity and philosophy. Also it’s a lil gay.
I loved the ways each character contrasted and the prose was beautiful. Basil’s adoration for Dorian in the beginning of the novel is quite romantic. I will say, about Lord Henry,he’s the most pretentious, wannabe profound man who’s thinking is solely to mock others and live as frivolously as he wants: it’s in his constant quoting and “debating” that he makes statements so complicated that it becomes hard to argue against. He shuts others down, basically. No wonder no one can stand him. That man is toxin at its most potent. The slow but sure corruption of Dorian Gray combined with the changing world around him was something to behold. And the way they describe the picture, Dorian’s inner monologue, and just all the analogies they pull out was so detailed. Sure, they make many mentions of stories and characters I know nothing about but the context is provided. If Dorian was talking about romance, I’m going to assume whatever random Greek name he mentions has something to do with that.
Sometimes a dialogue can go on for too long and loop into itself or an internal monologue seems longwinded, but I enjoyed it for the most part. Beauty is skin deep and Dorian’s youth really was a mask on top of the hedonist he became. At one point, yes, he was all that Basil’s painting displayed, but he’d corrupted it thoroughly that even Basil couldn’t recognize his soul. Though, we have to admit, Dorian had the makings of it with his vainness. Influence, and the horrible things it can accomplish.
I loved the ways each character contrasted and the prose was beautiful. Basil’s adoration for Dorian in the beginning of the novel is quite romantic. I will say, about Lord Henry,
Sometimes a dialogue can go on for too long and loop into itself or an internal monologue seems longwinded, but I enjoyed it for the most part. Beauty is skin deep and Dorian’s youth really was a mask on top of the hedonist he became. At one point, yes, he was all that Basil’s painting displayed, but he’d corrupted it thoroughly that even Basil couldn’t recognize his soul. Though, we have to admit, Dorian had the makings of it with his vainness. Influence, and the horrible things it can accomplish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Murder
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Gun violence
turidt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Antisemitism, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming
katbotelho's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
this was a reread bc i originally read it when i was too young to comprehend its complexities.
i was also prompted to reread bc i heard recently that netflix is picking it up as a series and theyre going to absolutely butcher if. but that nonsense aside-
i found this much easier to understand and enjoy this time around. the first time i read it i found it difficult to understand how this was an lgbtq+ classic, but although there is no explicit instances of homosexuality (although basil’s confession is a pretty gay if you ask me) you kinda have to look at it through a queer theoretical lens in order to see and understand the queer/ homoerotic subtext.
though i have heard their is an ‘uncensored version’ which i would be interested in getting my hands on to see how it compares to this version
i was also prompted to reread bc i heard recently that netflix is picking it up as a series and theyre going to absolutely butcher if. but that nonsense aside-
i found this much easier to understand and enjoy this time around. the first time i read it i found it difficult to understand how this was an lgbtq+ classic, but although there is no explicit instances of homosexuality (although basil’s confession is a pretty gay if you ask me) you kinda have to look at it through a queer theoretical lens in order to see and understand the queer/ homoerotic subtext.
though i have heard their is an ‘uncensored version’ which i would be interested in getting my hands on to see how it compares to this version
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Suicide
arlingtonchamberofgay's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Suicide
lucyatoz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
3.0
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is about a rich young man, who sits for an artist who paints his portrait. However, there is a curse attached to the painting and the sitter as the painting will age and the man will not!
This results in Dorian's life ultimately spinning out of control, leading to a suicide of a young woman, who is an actress, and the murder of the one man who could be called his only true friend.
The story sometimes felt like it was stuck in a loop, and although is wonderfully written and deserves it place as a classic in literature, it was a struggle for me to read with some chapters feeling out of place whilst others were deeply engaging and moved the narrative forward.
I borrowed a copy of this book from Taunton Library and listened to it on CloudLibrary. I read this for the 52 Book Club Summer Reading Challenge 2024, for prompt 23, Closing Ceremonies, author who hasn't released a book in the past four years.
This results in Dorian's life ultimately spinning out of control, leading to a suicide of a young woman, who is an actress, and the murder of the one man who could be called his only true friend.
The story sometimes felt like it was stuck in a loop, and although is wonderfully written and deserves it place as a classic in literature, it was a struggle for me to read with some chapters feeling out of place whilst others were deeply engaging and moved the narrative forward.
I borrowed a copy of this book from Taunton Library and listened to it on CloudLibrary. I read this for the 52 Book Club Summer Reading Challenge 2024, for prompt 23, Closing Ceremonies, author who hasn't released a book in the past four years.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Suicide, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Cursing, Drug use, and Alcohol
winter_b's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was expecting this book to mainly be a character study, so I somehow hadn't expected there to be as much plot as there was. Very engaging!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Drug abuse, Gun violence, Suicide, Stalking, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Body shaming, Infidelity, Racial slurs, and Antisemitism
maryry's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I found Wilde's writing style very charming; this was one of the few books which didn't bore me out even when reading purely descriptive chapters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Suicide
bambilouise's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Death
alexisvana's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.75
Kinda a surprising read! Less plot than I expected, funnier than I expected, I was more hooked than I expected to be. Would read again!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Murder
lightningmc_logyn's review
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I read this in 3 days. It was amazing, absolutely insightful. The context of Oscar Wilde being imprisoned for homosexuality after writing this book adds a somber layer to the experience.
It was very profound, and raw with discussions of human nature, and how it’s pushed and pulled within the lense of a Christianity based good vs. evil society. Wilde did something powerful here, presenting a fascinating argument for beauty and ugliness, power and weakness, and the shades of morality. I will think about this for the rest of my life.
The older English was challenging for me at times, particularly as I started reading the book and as well asin chapter 9, which I felt dragged on for too long. The intention I think was to articulate how much Dorian had abandoned all things but knowledge and sensation.
I definitely recommend people read the uncensored version. Seeing the book as it was originally written is magical. The textual introduction was interesting, but quite long and I primarily focused on the actual body of the novel.
It was very profound, and raw with discussions of human nature, and how it’s pushed and pulled within the lense of a Christianity based good vs. evil society. Wilde did something powerful here, presenting a fascinating argument for beauty and ugliness, power and weakness, and the shades of morality. I will think about this for the rest of my life.
The older English was challenging for me at times, particularly as I started reading the book and as well as
I definitely recommend people read the uncensored version. Seeing the book as it was originally written is magical. The textual introduction was interesting, but quite long and I primarily focused on the actual body of the novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Minor: Death, Suicide, and Antisemitism
Antisemitism: