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

dark emotional 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

It’s a truly extraordinary story of vanity and philosophy. Also it’s a lil gay.

I loved the ways each character contrasted and the prose was beautiful. Basil’s adoration for  Dorian in the beginning of the novel is quite romantic. I will say, about Lord Henry,
he’s the most pretentious, wannabe profound man who’s thinking is solely to mock others and live as frivolously as he wants: it’s in his constant quoting and “debating” that he makes statements so complicated that it becomes hard to argue against. He shuts others down, basically. No wonder no one can stand him. That man is toxin at its most potent.
The slow but sure corruption of Dorian Gray combined with the changing world around him was something to behold. And the way they describe the picture, Dorian’s inner monologue, and just all the analogies they pull out was so detailed. Sure, they make many mentions of stories and characters I know nothing about but the context is provided. If Dorian was talking about romance, I’m going to assume whatever random Greek name he mentions has something to do with that.

Sometimes a dialogue can go on for too long and loop into itself or an internal monologue seems longwinded, but I enjoyed it for the most part. Beauty is skin deep and Dorian’s youth really was a mask on top of the hedonist he became. At one point, yes, he was all that Basil’s painting displayed, but he’d corrupted it thoroughly that even Basil couldn’t recognize his soul. Though, we have to admit, Dorian had the makings of it with his vainness. Influence, and the horrible things it can accomplish.
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