Purple Poppy Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 The Picture of Dorian Gray. Having at last finished this book, I will start this thread as I know a couple of people wanted to discuss this work. What a book! I can’t say I enjoyed it, and my dislike is probably reflected in the length of the time it took me to read it. Disliking it, however, does not prevent me from appreciating it as a good book and very well written. The story is of Dorian Gray a young man famous for his flawless looks and initially a seemingly pleasant personality, but with a lot to learn of the world. His friend Basil, a competent painter, who idolises the boy (though it turns out he is married), paints a portrait of Dorian which is very realistic and shows the young man in the prime of his youth. Dorian is so pleased by it that it ‘turns’ his head and he wishes , with Basil present, that he would always stay youthful. His wish is fulfilled but (this is like our Corrupted wish game) the Dorian in the picture begins to age and takes on cruel and ugly features. Daunted by this, Dorian hides the picture in the attic room of his house where no one else can see it. As Dorian succumbs to the influence of his new friend Henry, we see his personality change and this is reflected in the picture, hidden upstairs. Dorian seems to have some understanding of what is happening, but dismisses it and is enjoying his life and the company of Henry too much to dwell on the dangerous ground he is treading. Eventually he oversteps even his boundaries and from somewhere deep within he hears the tiny voice of his conscience and tries to rectify his evil deeds, but the truth will out and his hopes of cleansing his soul and continuing his life are dashed for ever. I will continue below... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Poppy Posted January 5, 2007 Author Share Posted January 5, 2007 Cont... The story itself is interesting in that it illustrates that looks and beauty are only surface deep and superficial and to rely on them for a fulfilling life is fruitless and shallow.. Dorian trades his soul for his continuing beauty. He changes personality and becomes an evil calculating individual who uses others to satisfy his own needs. His friend Henry encourages him, with long lectures about the pleasures and advantages of a degenerate life, cleverly disguised just enough to convince the young man that what he is doing is right. At a very early stage I felt that Henry was actually the devil or evil personified and I remain of that opinion. At the beginning when Dorian and Henry meet you get a strong sense of black and white, evil and purity. As Dorian descends into wretchedness you feel that he wouldn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Wow! What a great review, PP! I've been meaning to read this for ages, despite already knowing what it's all about, as it's always appealed to my darker side. I have, however, just downloaded an audio book version & shall be listening to it very shortly, so I'll be posting my thoughts on it too when I get to it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 I really enjoyed reading Dorian Gray. One of the best books I read last year, actually. I agree with you, PP, on the beautiful descriptions in the book. They were wonderful. However, I liked Henry's little speeches throughout the book. I felt that some of them raised a few good points in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 That was an excellent review PP - you have a real talent there. The book sounds a lot different to what I thought, but I've always liked Oscar Wilde's wit so will definitely give it a go. Understand it was very controversial at the time, but then so was Oscar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Poppy Posted January 6, 2007 Author Share Posted January 6, 2007 Poppy said ... That was an excellent review PP - you have a real talent there. and Kell said Wow! What a great review, PP! Thanks guys! I would insert a smilie here but for some reason the post submitted itself before I was finished and I've had to edit to finish it...can't see any smilies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 When you're editing, click on Go Advanced to get all the options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Poppy Posted January 7, 2007 Author Share Posted January 7, 2007 Michelle said; When you're editing, click on Go Advanced to get all the options. Thanks Michelle. I've only just started using the quick replies. Now I know! PP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogmatix Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Nice review PP. You've got me sold and now TPODG is on my TBR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Poppy Posted January 7, 2007 Author Share Posted January 7, 2007 Thanks Dogmatix PP:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 And here's my review to add to the rest... Title: The Picture of Dorian Gray Author: Oscar Wilde Narrator: John Gonzalez Publisher: www. librivox.org First Published: 1891 Running time: 6 hrs 19 min 46 sec Format: Audio Book Rating: 7/10 Synopsis: Dorian Gray, a young man of wealth and stature in late 1800 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottishbookworm Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I enjoy reading that book because I always like to read the complete works of oscar wilde. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwen Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 I really enjoyed this book as well, probably for the reasons already stated although I wasn't absolutely glued to the pages... but there was something there. Beautifully written though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest radjack Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 One of the best books i've ever read and also the only classic (). I read this in order to do an oral presentation in my class, since then i re-read it two times. Everything Lord Henry say is pure music. It's my favourite character of the book. I higly recommend it:blush: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest radjack Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 I higly recommend it:blush: highly# (i still can't edit my "post's") Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antoinette Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 It took my over two years to find this book in a charity shop and I wasn't disappointed. It was just the right length and although I didn't take to any of the characters ( I'm not actually sure we were meant to really ) I did enjoy the story and the questions it posed about how others perceive us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SocialGo Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 As a little extra, I think the preface or the supposed rules of aestheticism, make the novel that bit more enjoyable. It acts as a pre-cursor of Wilde's humorous, yet cruel, style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottishbookworm Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 I must admit that was one of oscar wilde's best written books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amakash Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 I read this many years ago and it's remained one of my favourites. It's on my list to revisit this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 (edited) I just finished reading 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'. It did take me awhile to get into it but it was beautifully written. A lot of underlying tones in the book which I felt that even though they were not overly pronounced as such, Oscar Wilde was not exactly hiding them (hope that makes sense). The characters were brilliantly written, I felt that Basil Hallward was being blamed far too much by Dorian for the course his life had taken and I did get the impression that Sir Henry Wotton did know what was happening with Dorian but choose not to say anything or do anything because he saw it as some manner of game, something to pass the time. Even though I expected the ending, I could not help but feel sorry for Dorian. Edited September 14, 2008 by Weave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charm Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 I just started reading this yesterday. Sounds good to me, hope I enjoy it as much as you lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andaira Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 I just started reading this yesterday. Sounds good to me, hope I enjoy it as much as you lot! Oh I hope you enjoy it as well. This is one of the best books that I have ever read. Years back, I went to the bookstore with my cousin and she bought the book by chance since she'd read it years back and wanted to read it again. I asked her to borrow it for a bit, read some chapters, and ended up buying the book myself to finish it. Oscar Wilde was an incredible writer, and to me, this is his best piece. I was more than happy to re-read it for class once I reached high school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charm Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Oh I hope you enjoy it as well. I'm sure I will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bookologist Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 The Picture of Dorian Gray. What a book! I can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Poppy Posted April 3, 2009 Author Share Posted April 3, 2009 I shall look out for it ... thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.