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libra_sun's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I went into this book with zero knowledge of the plot, and I think it was the right choice. I couldn't put it down, I wanted to know what was happening and I love the way the mystery unfolded. It was an amazing reflective piece on society's obsession with beauty, and it is still wholly relevant, especially with the rise of social media. The idea that being beautiful means you are good.
My one critique is that there is a bit of rambling in some passages, but it's kind of par for the course in these types of books.
Anyways, I thoroughly enjoyed and definitely recommend.
My one critique is that there is a bit of rambling in some passages, but it's kind of par for the course in these types of books.
Anyways, I thoroughly enjoyed and definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
paigehf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Gore and Suicide
peggy_racham's review against another edition
4.75
"The sin we had done once, and with loathing, we would do many times, and with joy."
I really liked the censored version without knowing much about it. This was so much better, more complex and more queer.
I really liked the censored version without knowing much about it. This was so much better, more complex and more queer.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Violence, Antisemitism, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
riverofhorton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
4.75
So to start, this book was not what modern media had lead me to believe it would be, but that is definitely not a bad thing. In the modern media, the characters are straight or at the straight end of bi/pan, whereas here they're straight, gay, or at the gay end of bi/pan. Had I not gone into this knowing Wilde was gay, I would have been wondering after a couple pages. One of the male characters is madly in love with Dorian and at throughout his character arc, I found myself crying tears of both joy and heartbreak at various points.
One of the few things I didn't find enjoyable about this book, was Chapter 11. I understand the intention behind that particular chapter completely, but for me it seemed to drag on too much and added relatively little to the story that couldn't have been contained in a couple of paragraphs.
Here is a bullet pointed review I posted elsewhere online:
One of the few things I didn't find enjoyable about this book, was Chapter 11. I understand the intention behind that particular chapter completely, but for me it seemed to drag on too much and added relatively little to the story that couldn't have been contained in a couple of paragraphs.
Here is a bullet pointed review I posted elsewhere online:
- Dear God, the gay. I don't even want to count how many gay bits I tabbed.
Basil is an absolute sweetheart and deserved way better. Dorian could have been an amazing person, if he hadn't been corrupted. Harry can suck a d*ck. To paraphrase the Frankenstein Vs. monster thing: Knowledge is knowing Harry isn't the villain, wisdom is knowing Harry is the villain. Alan reminded me of Dr Jekyll in a lot of ways, which I liked but I don't know if this was intentional or just my brain. - Chapter 11 dragged so much, and only really added
"Dorian spent 18 years collecting hobbies, some of which will be briefly mentioned later." Probably going to skip it next read. - And yes, I will be re-reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
thestrangebeingyouare's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Drug use, Misogyny, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism
the story is strange and beautiful, but the main characters are all extremely flawed. there are also some aspects of misogyny and antisemitism that are unrelated to the plot, so i do warn you to be aware of the authors prejudices so you can critically read the story.macliffe's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-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
4.75
I have been wanting to read this book for so long and it did not disappoint! Fully lived up to the hype.
I was hesitant because I’m not a horror reader, but this book did a good job of being gothic without having unnecessary gore or uncomfortable scenes.
The characters were so well done, especially Dorian.
I love how the message of the book is stated subtly at the beginning with Lord Henry saying the world needed a “new hedonism”. Then the plot gives Dorian that new hedonism, but he comes to realize that it doesn’t satisfy and only leaves him miserable.
I was hesitant because I’m not a horror reader, but this book did a good job of being gothic without having unnecessary gore or uncomfortable scenes.
The characters were so well done, especially Dorian.
I love how the message of the book is stated subtly at the beginning with Lord Henry saying the world needed a “new hedonism”. Then the plot gives Dorian that new hedonism, but he comes to realize that it doesn’t satisfy and only leaves him miserable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Racism, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Suicide, and Blood
Minor: Violence
lucyford's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
There are lots of things I liked and did not like about this book, but I overall enjoyed it and think it’s worthy of at least 4 stars. At first I didn’t like it that much because it was a bit difficult to read in the sense that so much talking was being done about things I couldn’t really understand, but once I started reading it from a more chill perspective I enjoyed it 10x as much. When reading it you’ll come to realize that the beauty of the book lies in the writing itself, which is just amazing. I also really liked how the plot progressed and how Dorian’s character gradually changed so horribly due to Henry’s influence (which I’m so mad about). Overall, this book is literally art and I will probably read it again in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Gore, Suicide, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Emotional abuse
ashybear02's review against another edition
challenging
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
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
estefizaga's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and Classism
thewritetofight's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book was pretty good. I was surprised I was able to read it because old books like from Jane Austen give me an aneurysm trying to decipher. It took me forever to finish this book since I was already hurtling towards a read slump but when I picked it back up, I finished it fairly quickly. The only thing I didn’t like was how quickly Dorian descended into madness, like I felt like it was very abrupt; one moment he was innocent and the next he was frothing at the mouth and driving his lover to suicide.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Gore, Murder, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Stalking