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A review by 0ivy0
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a re-read for me. I first read The Picture if Dorian Gray at 16, I fell in love with the book and wanted to read it at 24 to see if my feelings had changed.
The short answer is they have not, this is still one of my all time favourite reads.
I forgot how beautiful Wilde's writing is, the prologue and first chapter, even the first page, lays the whole book out to you without you realising. The characterisations are brilliant and the prose gorgeous and easy to read.
The parts that I was disappointed with was the racism and antisemitism, it was pretty bad.
My heart still breaks for Sibyl, and then Dorian after. I want a book from Sibyl's perspective, her upbringing and her demise would be such a heartbreaking read as a novel.
Dorian realises how Henry's words have poisoned him and tried to go back to fix his actions, but they've already had their consequences.
TPODG is a fantastic exploration into the soul and into the belief that pretty people are more moral whilst 'ugly' people are immoral - something we still see in our society today.
We see how his thought processes change after spending time with Henry and it's so saddening to watch as he eats up Henry's words and becomes a completely different person.
It's also so difficult to see that he has all the time in the world but is still obsessed with beauty - through his obsessions with music, fashion, jewels and the other pleasures of life.
Such a brilliant book that I'll continue to hold close to my heart and re-read throughout my life.
The short answer is they have not, this is still one of my all time favourite reads.
I forgot how beautiful Wilde's writing is, the prologue and first chapter, even the first page, lays the whole book out to you without you realising. The characterisations are brilliant and the prose gorgeous and easy to read.
The parts that I was disappointed with was the racism and antisemitism, it was pretty bad.
My heart still breaks for Sibyl, and then Dorian after. I want a book from Sibyl's perspective, her upbringing and her demise would be such a heartbreaking read as a novel.
Dorian realises how Henry's words have poisoned him and tried to go back to fix his actions, but they've already had their consequences.
TPODG is a fantastic exploration into the soul and into the belief that pretty people are more moral whilst 'ugly' people are immoral - something we still see in our society today.
We see how his thought processes change after spending time with Henry and it's so saddening to watch as he eats up Henry's words and becomes a completely different person.
It's also so difficult to see that he has all the time in the world but is still obsessed with beauty - through his obsessions with music, fashion, jewels and the other pleasures of life.
Such a brilliant book that I'll continue to hold close to my heart and re-read throughout my life.