A review by auldesola
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Character development that corrupts and makes one deplorable is also character development of a kind so this is why I have selected yes for strong character development. I knew there would be antisemitism because it's Wilde, but good lord. I feel like that also made Dorian hideous in the painting as well and in the end. It was slow-ish and there's a lot of descriptions of things and the furniture and possessions which I think was the point—he had a love for being envious and I think as he became hideous in the painting, Dorian felt that it truly reflected his true self on a unconscious level. It was kind of interesting watching the man destroy himself and become terrified and haunted by himself.
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