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A review by mikkiokko
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
dark
reflective
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
Have you ever wanted to watch a selfish brat get his shit handed to him? Then this is the classic for you!
In all honesty some of the most annoying characters you will ever meet are in this book (the worst is by far Henry), but oh my god does it make it exquisite to watch them spiral. I especially loved how Dorian would have moments of realizing he is quite literally the worst person ever, but then to protect his sanity would go, "Nooooo! Pft! I haven't ruined everyone's lives, they did it to themselves!". It is an interesting and exaggerated version of the reality of people's lack of self-accountability and obsession with vanity. Wilde's use of language was also quite pretty at times!
The only big downside to this book: written by a white man in the 1800s, groups of pretty much every type of person are described nasty to put it lightly.
p.s Basil was right the whole time and the only good person in this book.
In all honesty some of the most annoying characters you will ever meet are in this book (the worst is by far Henry), but oh my god does it make it exquisite to watch them spiral. I especially loved how Dorian would have moments of realizing he is quite literally the worst person ever, but then to protect his sanity would go, "Nooooo! Pft! I haven't ruined everyone's lives, they did it to themselves!". It is an interesting and exaggerated version of the reality of people's lack of self-accountability and obsession with vanity. Wilde's use of language was also quite pretty at times!
The only big downside to this book: written by a white man in the 1800s, groups of pretty much every type of person are described nasty to put it lightly.
p.s Basil was right the whole time and the only good person in this book.