Who Would Like This Book:
Oscar Wilde's only novel dazzles with decadent wit, memorable one-liners, and a darkly intriguing premise: what happens when you never have to face the consequences of your actions? If you love psychological drama, moral dilemmas, or novels packed with lush descriptions, sharp social satire, and philosophical banter, this classic will grip you. Fans of gothic tales, anyone curious about the nature of beauty, self-indulgence, or the blurred line between art and life will find plenty to savor.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Not everyone vibes with Dorian Gray’s style. The pacing can feel slow, the dialogue ultra-flowery, and Wilde’s fondness for long-winded philosophical speeches might be tedious if you prefer action over talk. Some readers have found the characters self-absorbed and hard to root for, while others are bothered by dated views on gender or lengthy aesthetic detours. If you’re here for plot over prose, be prepared for a few segments that read more like essays than story.
About:
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is a classic tale exploring the consequences of vanity and moral degradation. The story follows Dorian Gray, a young man who makes a Faustian deal to retain his youth and beauty while his portrait ages and reflects the consequences of his debauched lifestyle. The novel delves into themes of the value of youth, the meaning of life, and the impact of one's actions on oneself and others, leaving readers pondering questions of free will and self-improvement. Wilde's writing style is described as brilliant, witty, and horrifying, with a focus on decadence, morality, and the consequences of one's choices.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers include themes of drug use, suicide, murder, and moral corruption, as well as misogyny and classism representative of Victorian attitudes.
From The Publisher:
Dorian Gray is having his picture painted by Basil Hallward, who is charmed by his looks. But when Sir Henry Wotton visits and seduces Dorian into the worship of youthful beauty with an intoxicating speech, Dorian makes a wish he will live to regret: that all the marks of age will now be reflected in the portrait rather than on Dorian's own face. The stage is now set for a masterful tale about appearance, reality, art, life, truth, fiction and the burden of conscience.
Oscar Wilde's only full-length novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a lasting gem of sophisticated wit and playfulness, which brings together all the best elements of his talent in a reinterpretation of the Faustian myth.
Ratings (1127)
Incredible (177) | |
Loved It (344) | |
Liked It (366) | |
It Was OK (157) | |
Did Not Like (64) | |
Hated It (19) |
Reader Stats (2225):
Read It (1198) | |
Currently Reading (31) | |
Want To Read (626) | |
Did Not Finish (49) | |
Not Interested (321) |
20 comment(s)
Chilling. Beautifully written. A parable about pleasure and its potential to be poison.
Men suuuuuck
“The books the world calls immoral are books that show the world its shame.”
After reading some not so great books, I was in a slump and was in search of a palate cleanser.
The Picture of Dorian Gray was compelling and easy(ish) to digest. Some parts were a little slow and the build took forever, but once the action started or we reached a defining moment, the book took off.
I personally feel like several characters are heavily queer-coded which add this interesting and delicious homoerotic layer that deserves more exploration.
Lovely and a prefect reset for me as we reach the end of the year.
Life according to Oscar Wilde:
- Hedonism good, except too much of it
- Conscience good, unless it gets in the way of art
- Art good, unless it's bad art (on a technical, not moral level--there is no "moral" or "immoral" art)
I don't agree with most of the philosophy in this book, but it is a well-written, psychologically tense book. In other words, this is a good book, but somewhat immoral art.
If I had an immortality potion I would’ve given it to Oscar Wilde just because I want him to live and keep on writing other works .I also feel like I missed a lot of stuff while reading this and I will definitely reread it at some point and I want to watch the movie .I think I have a crush on Oscar Wilde because just thinking of someone who was capable of writing such a story and every sentence that I read I was just mesmerised by the choice of words like if I lived in that time I would get myself in a scandal for this man’s sake. I couldn’t help imagining him writing this and his thought process. I think that him writing this book was the hottest thing a man can do.
“Life has been your art. You have set yourself to music. Your days are your sonnets.”
It was well written, cor Dorian was such a doof!
Listening to these characters was like having the devil himself whisper in your ear, deceptively charismatic, convincing, and just a little bit of poison.
4.75 stars!! first book of 2025 <3
“Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.”
what a book!!! I often struggle with classics because I find them difficult to digest, however I found the narrative of this very interesting and palatable, and just the perfect length. I almost wish I got to read this in a class so I could better digest it. the idea of what ‘would you do for eternal youth’ is still ringing in my head and probably will continue to, long after i’ve finished reading it
1.75⭐
Oscar's storytelling voice comes across as too self-important, pretentious, and ultimately unexciting.
While I found some bits and pieces of this story to be enjoyable, I believe it may have been more successful if it were in the hands of a less self-obsessive author.
What can you read after
The Picture of Dorian Gray?
About the Author:
Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin in 1856. In the years following his graduation from Oxford in 1878 he published poems and stories which included The Picture of Dorian Gray. Lady Windermere's Fan was produced in 1892, A Woman of No Importance in 1893 and An Ideal Husband and The Importance of Being Earnest in 1895. Later work included De Profundis and The Ballad of Reading Gaol. He died in 1900.
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