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caelfind's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
“I worshipped you too much. I am punished for it. You worshipped yourself too much. We are both punished.”
Ultimately, what can be said of a literary classic of this renown that has not been said before? This is, without doubt, a masterpiece of literature. It is a gorgeously lyrical, decadent, and terrifying exploration of art, soul, life, and influence.
The prose is beautifully crafted, wrapping within its layers both the superficiality and self-awareness of the 19th century England Wilde portrays. His characters are brilliantly realised and complex, with Dorian himself driving the story forward with a dual nature that is both tragic and horrifying.
The reader cannot help but hang upon Dorian’s every word and action, just as captivated as the characters within the novel, as he descends deeper into darkness towards the inevitable. Over it all looms the fatal portrait, in many ways both the root and result of all the evil. Although it only appears a few times throughout, its presence is always felt, a shadow in every corner as Dorian’s obsession grows.
It is truly a dark and enthralling tale which, for all its discussion of human and societal shallowness, speaks to the heart of conscience and emotion.
Ultimately, what can be said of a literary classic of this renown that has not been said before? This is, without doubt, a masterpiece of literature. It is a gorgeously lyrical, decadent, and terrifying exploration of art, soul, life, and influence.
The prose is beautifully crafted, wrapping within its layers both the superficiality and self-awareness of the 19th century England Wilde portrays. His characters are brilliantly realised and complex, with Dorian himself driving the story forward with a dual nature that is both tragic and horrifying.
The reader cannot help but hang upon Dorian’s every word and action, just as captivated as the characters within the novel, as he descends deeper into darkness towards the inevitable. Over it all looms the fatal portrait, in many ways both the root and result of all the evil. Although it only appears a few times throughout, its presence is always felt, a shadow in every corner as Dorian’s obsession grows.
It is truly a dark and enthralling tale which, for all its discussion of human and societal shallowness, speaks to the heart of conscience and emotion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Drug use and Suicide
lamnhi's review against another edition
dark
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Drug use
joshkiba13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
3.5
I read this for ENGL 202 at UW. I loved all the passages in Dorian's mind as he grappled with conflicting desires of youth and beauty versus his darker interior. Lord Henry was well characterized---a constant annoyance to me with his incessant philosophies on life. The different evil developments throughout the story interested me, and as Dorian's mind was truly corrupted there were some great descriptions.
What brought it down for me was my inability to relate to 19th century rich men; countless references to plays, poems, art, and just the overall vibe of richness made some passages unbearable---especially Chapter 11 when Dorian is seeking every worldly pleasure in order to distract himself.
That said, it was a good slow-burn story with surprising developments, and a very open-ended and intriguing ending.Also RIP Basil; he was the only character in the whole book I could stand
What brought it down for me was my inability to relate to 19th century rich men; countless references to plays, poems, art, and just the overall vibe of richness made some passages unbearable---especially Chapter 11 when Dorian is seeking every worldly pleasure in order to distract himself.
That said, it was a good slow-burn story with surprising developments, and a very open-ended and intriguing ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Murder
Minor: Drug use and Pedophilia
pizzaisjesus98's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Damn near perfect
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Violence, Antisemitism, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Animal death, Cursing, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Xenophobia, Blood, Alcohol, and Classism
entrancedbywords's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Let me lose my 💩 for a moment! I totally forgot I owned a copy of Dorian Grey. I went through a short lived phase of trying to collect as many penguin classics as possible. Unfortunately cause I own so many books, I forget I owned this and almost re-brought recently when I went out shopping.
Anyway...I've heard so much about this. I know it has stage plays and I haven't seen any. But now I can form my own idea of how this book can be interpreted.
When I read books I usually don't care about the author. No offence but your personal life is none of my business. But for some reason I decided to google Oscar Wilde. Bruh, what world have I been living under to find out he was gay and this book was written because he wanted to live openly in a society that excluded gay people.
I aboustely love "old english" books. I love the way English has evolved to what it currently is and how poetic in a sense something used to be.
So, this story is supposed to be how Wilde saw himself or at least a verison he wished he could be. I didn't see the gay subtext that was supposedly littered through but rather I saw a reckless, selfish, curious, imaginative man. A man who acts highly yet somehow easily influenced while feeling so certain of himself. If that's how Oscar Wilde wanted himself to be than that's something else entirely.
Anyway...I've heard so much about this. I know it has stage plays and I haven't seen any. But now I can form my own idea of how this book can be interpreted.
When I read books I usually don't care about the author. No offence but your personal life is none of my business. But for some reason I decided to google Oscar Wilde. Bruh, what world have I been living under to find out he was gay and this book was written because he wanted to live openly in a society that excluded gay people.
I aboustely love "old english" books. I love the way English has evolved to what it currently is and how poetic in a sense something used to be.
So, this story is supposed to be how Wilde saw himself or at least a verison he wished he could be. I didn't see the gay subtext that was supposedly littered through but rather I saw a reckless, selfish, curious, imaginative man. A man who acts highly yet somehow easily influenced while feeling so certain of himself. If that's how Oscar Wilde wanted himself to be than that's something else entirely.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Suicide, Stalking, Murder, and Toxic friendship
bootsmom3's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Antisemitism, Grief, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
magimiel's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Drug use, Suicide, and Antisemitism
lolelolelolotte's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
bebidocrimes's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
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
4.75
I don't know why I always assumed Dorian Gray was the top of this bad influence pyramid scheme, I'd not heard much about Lord Henry before reading. I thought I was gonna be turned off by the philosophical discussions, but it was just banger line after banger line whether or not it was an actually insane thing to say. Only one snooze fest chapter, where is was just 'heres the history of jewels and embroidery and shit'. Kinda miss when characters who symbolize something came with a name to match (Vane wants to kill Dorian, are you kidding me?).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Classism
noura's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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 and Murder
Moderate: Sexism, Suicide, and Antisemitism
Minor: Drug use and Racism