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A review by wowsmeows
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.5
"Beautiful sins, like beautiful things, are the privilege of the rich."
I went into Dorian Gray without knowing anything about it, and I really enjoyed it for the most part.
The main story is intriguing and there was a few unexpected moments that I really enjoyed. The three main characters (Dorian, Henry and Basil) are so incredibly unlikeable and would be tedious to know in real life, yet I still found them to be engaging. I think this book is a great example of how main characters do not have to be likeable for a story to be enjoyed.
The thing I disliked about the novel novels is that it feels like the story gets interrupted by the author going on a personal tangent and lecturing the audience. I really struggled through one specific chapter and I very nearly didn't pick it back up again. It felt very preachy and really interrupted the story.
Overall, I enjoyed The Picture of Dorian Gray and I'm glad I picked it up!
Minor: Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, and Classism