ellelockley's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Homophobia, Death, Alcohol, Classism, Infidelity, and Misogyny
christinewonder's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Murder, Abandonment, Suicide, Gaslighting, and Death
Moderate: Homophobia
thealbinobat's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Homophobia and Violence
gentleprocrastination's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Classism, Death, Murder, Body horror, and Homophobia
Moderate: Addiction, Blood, Antisemitism, and Suicide
Minor: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, and Stalking
hamarhemmo's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Stalking, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Dysphoria, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Antisemitism
Minor: Alcohol and Outing
amortristis's review against another edition
- 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
Spoiler
the book Lord Henry recommends to Dorian. I know that some scholars identify it as an ode to either The Yellow Book or Huysmans’s Against Nature, and that the idea of a “poisonous book” was accentuated in later editions in response to the controversy surrounding this very novel upon its publication. In other words, I know that Wilde was playing with the idea of an immoral piece of literature corrupting (read: queering) young minds. That said, Dorian is already affected by the picture painted by Basil Hallward and the mirror given to him by Lord Henry, not to mention Lord Henry’s words; the addition of the corrupting book seemed to overcomplicate what was otherwise quite an elegant concept.The Picture of Dorian Gray is good. I wasn’t blown away by it, but the premise is solid and I was pleasantly surprised by how audaciously queer it is. I can see why it’s considered a classic. Definitely worth a read.
Graphic: Classism, Death, Murder, Blood, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Antisemitism, Bullying, Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Sexism, Alcohol, and Suicide
Minor: Colonisation, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Violence, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Cultural appropriation, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Xenophobia
merle_bookdragon's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
It's also so interesting because Dorian blames Basil's picture and Henry's book for his downfall but it's really all about HIS own actions. I think it is especially noticeable in contrast to Lord Henry because he also talks a lot about horrible things and philosophizes about every topic but he is not taken seriously and also does not act upon them. Dorian on the other hand takes everything Henry says very seriously and whatever thought he has during his life he simply acts upon, which is what leads him down all these bad roads.
There were of course quite a few moments where it was easily noticeable in what time this book was written and published as quite a few antisemitic and sexist comments are made and not challenged. Additionally, one should be aware that this is in parts a quite heavy book, especially in the passages that contain murder, suicide, death and drug abuse.
All in all, I really want to reread it and also look at the beginning with a different eye but that will have to wait for a later time!
Graphic: Suicide, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Sexism, Drug abuse, Antisemitism, Misogyny, Violence, Drug use, and Homophobia
rory_john14's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Injury/injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Blood, Addiction, Antisemitism, Classism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Stalking, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, and Infidelity
Minor: Confinement, Alcoholism, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Grief
ran_sophia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol, and Body shaming
Minor: Fatphobia and Sexual violence
duni's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Death, Drug use, and Murder
Minor: Suicide and Homophobia