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    The Picture of Dorian Gray
    The Picture of Dorian Gray
    The Picture of Dorian Gray
    Ebook337 pages5 hours

    The Picture of Dorian Gray

    By Jenika Snow and Oscar Wilde

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    Dorian Gray. Beautiful and charming, he hides his true nature from everyone in the dark recess of his soul.

    An artist is the creator of beautiful things, but what happens when that art conceals the true nature of one's soul?

    Dorian Gray, a charismatic and beautiful man, is about to find out that with beauty there comes a cost. Living a life of debauchery, he realises that time and age no longer affect him, not when the evil that is now his life is sucked into the vortex of his reflected self.

    As Dorian Gray sets out to prove himself to all around him, he realises his acts of vileness and hatred will hurt the people his cold heart has grown to care for. His love knows no bounds, but it is that love that ultimately leaves him alone, only knowing the self-disgust that is now his life.

    This is a story of a young man who will set out to live his life to the fullest even if that destroys everyone and everything around him, himself included.

    You only pay for the words our authors have added—not for the original content.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTotally Bound Publishing
    Release dateNov 1, 2013
    ISBN9781781848074

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    Reviews for The Picture of Dorian Gray

    4/5

    8,899 ratings261 reviews

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    • 5/5
      This is one of the most powerful books I have ever read. I wish I had read it long ago- I was really missing out. The writing is absolutely beautiful and drew me into the book right from the first page. The story is fascinating, the characters are complex and the plot unfolds perfectly. What I liked most was that I didn't find the book predictable. I really did not see the ending coming and was surprised at every change Dorian went through. I went from loving Dorian to hating him to not being sure how to feel about him. He was quite a nasty character at times but also fascinating. The book came together nicely in the end and overall it was just wonderful.

      For more of my reviews and recommendations, visit my blog: here
    • 3/5
      This is a great book. I did not find it tedious or boring at all. It's a great read!
    • 5/5
      I know this book was a little controversial but I still thought it was a great read. didnt get the whole controversy about it though.
    • 4/5
      A brilliantly written novel enclosing important life lessons. A bit dragged out towards the end though.
    • 4/5
      exellent timeless classic...!
    • 5/5
      A fascinating study of beauty gone evil.
    • 4/5
      I think Oscar Wilde was a genius, but some of his passages were too weighty for me.
    • 3/5
      It was based on an interesting premise: A man makes a wish that he will remain as young and beautiful as a painting of himself at age 20. The wish comes true and the painting ages and worse, shows the sins of the man over time. The story is about the effect on Dorian Gray and his soul.The writing was beautiful, poetic at times. I listened to it on CD, and I think the entire disk 4 (or maybe 3) was basically a poetic narrative of Dorian's life from age 20 to 38. I got lost and my mind drifted because there were no scenes. It was way too much summary in my opinion. Of course, the book was written in the late 1800s, so it was probably appropriate for the times. But my biggest issue was the characters. I have a difficult time loving books if I can't identify or at least root for a character. And there was nothing to like about Dorian. He was a rich, vain man who did nothing but take advantage of his looks. Getting into his deluded mind was very creepy, especially when he killed (won't say who) someone with no remorse. At the end, I thought he might redeem himself as his began to realize how terrible his sins were. But even then, he made excuses and continued to act selfishly. And I didn't like his friend, Sir Henry much better.
    • 4/5
      I knew I would love this book, and love it I did.

      You probably know the story, or you know bits of it. But actually reading it is a different experience. It's everything you expect of Wilde: witty. dry. philosophical. hilarious.

      The humour meets the dark undertones of sin well, and it makes the story feel full and complete. It's always interesting, although the pages when it goes on with philosophy can be tough to read at times (although usually ultimately humourous, as the characters are all idiots).

      All in all, it's a great read. I have nothing bad to say here.
    • 4/5
      I was really surprised by this book. It was better than I thought it would be I really enjoyed it.
    • 4/5
      People get older and lose their looks. Don't whine about it. Moral of the story.
    • 5/5
      Great story about some despicable and jaded people.
    • 4/5
      This is one of these books that I've heard so much about over the years, it felt as though I had read it. But since I never did, it was time.Unlike Wilde's plays, Dorian Gray is not a comedy but a cautionary tale culminating in tragedy. Dorian is a young man of 19th century aristocracy, meaning that he and his friends have nothing to do but entertain each other, collect expensive objects and snipe about the state of the world. Dorian's friend Sir Harry is an expert at this last and fills the young man's head with his philosophy about women, life and youth. While Dorian sits for his portrait, Sir Harry convinces him that losing one's youth is a horror and that living for the moment is the only true joy. Dorian makes the wish that he would keep his good looks and that the painting would age instead. His wish comes true, leading to debauchery and crime. In the end, the beautiful face is overwhelmed by the grotesque, true manifestation of his misspent life represented in the portrait that he hides in the attic.A real surprise in the story is that Wilde manages to insert his characteristic wit through Sir Henry. The man has a lot to say and dominates the dialogue throughout the book. Some of his statements are outrageously hilarious. (Wilde even lifts a line from his play "The Importance of Being Earnest" when Sir Henry comments that a recent widow's hair "has gone quite gold from grief.")When one of his friends remarks that Sir Henry himself doesn't believe a word he says, Sir Henry replies that that is true, and that he even forgets what he's said ten minutes after he's said it. The point of the story is that Dorian Gray takes all of his nonsense seriously. Not only do his looks never change, but his decisions are based on things he accepted to be true and the folly of his youth becomes his undoing.This audio book was excellently narrated by Michael Page who voiced the callow Dorian, the effete Sir Henry and the serious painter Basil to perfection. If all his women tended to sound like Edith Evans in the movie version of "The Importance of Being Earnest"...well, who better to imitate?
    • 3/5
      I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would. I liked the aging picture thing. Everyone always says that this book has a theme of homosexuality, but I just didn't see it. Perhaps I will re-read it. But ironically it does remind me of being gay, but because of personal things happening at the time with friends rather than what is actually in the book, so you'd think I would have seen it.
    • 3/5
      Not anywhere near as entrancing as the first time I read it - but that's likely due to me aging a decade. Initially, I found Wilde's witticisms (mainly via Lord Henry) thought-provoking and... sparkly:"The reason we all like to think so well of others is that we are all afraid for ourselves. The basis of optimism is sheer terror."This time 'round, they veered more toward shit-stirring, sound-bite nonsense (intentionally? Lord Henry exists to suggest corruption and watch the show). But so long as you don't view it through the lenses of a purely self-indulgent fuck, I agree AMEN:"To be good is to be in harmony with one's self. Discord is to be forced to be in harmony with others. One's own life - that is the important thing. As for the lives of one's neighbors, if one wished to be a prig or a Puritan, one can flaunt one's moral views about them, but they are not one's concern. Besides, Individualism has really the higher aim. Modern morality consists in accepting the standard of one's age. I consider that for any man of culture to accept the standard of his age is a form of the grossest immorality."And it still managed to resonate, albeit less so (which probably means I'm less of an asshole than I was, or just more aware of fellow life):"All ways end at the same point - disillusion."*reread*
    • 4/5
      A cigarette is the perfect type of a perfect pleasure. It is exquisite, and it leaves one unsatisfied. What more can one want?

      Most people assume we on Goodreads have read everything. It was a shock to many that I had never read Baudelaire until last week. It was a similar disclosure which saw me read this novel for the first time.

      This is a bitchy book. My brain afforded the late George Sanders the vocal delivery. Yes, I know he was in a film adaptation, but this sordid sophisticate morality tale demands such. His own end illuminates the pages.

      So why should we return to (or discover) this splendid tale, the twist of which has become a cultural landmark? We learn about beauty and privilege. We learn about the weight of ennui and other French decadence. There is sodomy, opium, and suicide. Perhaps I will open a beer and ponder how Youth bolted out the back door.
    • 3/5
      A fantastic plot buried under too many words (mostly coming from the mouth of Lord Henry). It would have made a gripping and terrifying novella or short story. To alter an accusation from Dorian and turn it back on Wilde, "You would sacrifice any reader, Oscar, for the sake of an epigram."
    • 3/5
      I have read this book 3 times. Every time I swear that I didn't read it - I just remember the synopsis - and then I get halfway through and realize I'm rereading it.
    • 5/5
      Waited a long time to read this book. Glad I did.
    • 5/5
      Oscar Wilde turns his hand to the gothic horror tale and it's brilliant.
    • 4/5
      The Picture of Dorian Gray is a well known classic and many people have some idea about the story line, a magic picture ages and bears the marks while Dorian himself doesn't change. While that is an important part, there is a lot more to the story. I felt it was well worth the time to read this one. I am willing to admit ignorance in the subject but the first section of the book felt very much like a chaste homosexual romance, which considering the time it was written, I can only imagine many did consider it lurid, as several of the reviews of the time showed (5-6 contemporary reviews of the work were available in the appendixes). There were 3 main characters Dorian, his artist friend Basil Hallward and Lord Henry Wotten. Basil and Henry gravitate around Dorian and appear to be like the little angel and the little devil that sit on each shoulder. Basil an artist in love of beauty and purity. Lord Henry, a cynic and enjoys putting down everything others hold in high regard. Since this is a moral tale, Dorian slowly listens to his little devil more and more, and as he suffers no serious repercussions for his forays into sin, his experiments become darker and more elaborate. His portrait painted by Basil, is a road map and mirror to Dorian's depravity which starts to eat away at Dorian's sanity.Overall a fairly good tale, a little flowery like much of the Victorian lit but not nearly to the extent of Dracula.
    • 4/5
      A great gothic tale with a fantastical twist. Even though it took me 50 pages to actually get engrossed, the story kept me quite interested. I have only ever read poetry and maxims attributed to Oscar Wilde, so this reading was a first for me. I was pleasantly surprised at how readable it was. Of course the macabre theme certainly helped, Wilde's obvious hedonism theme was written well into the story. It's hard for me to imagine a world where this book would cause such a controversy over its "homoerotic themes". There is no sex, no physical contact really between men, and the allusions to homosexuality could just as easily be considered platonic friendship. Besides, its not like Dorian Gray is a hero in anyway. He is obviously quite evil or at least grows to be. I'm simply having trouble imagining an educated critic read the novel and not see its satire. Anyway, I enjoyed learning some new words, or old meanings of words, plus comparing the story of Dorian Gray to other Gothic tales like Uncle Silas. I felt this was a good introduction and I look forward to reading the rest of Oscar Wilde's work.
    • 4/5
      Oscar Wilde is the man. Besides for being chock-full of good quotes, The Picture of Dorian Gray is also simply an interesting idea, a quick but great read, and a must-read in every literate person's lifetime.
    • 4/5
      I love Wilde, but this is not one of my favorites: self-indulgent and overwrought, lacking the sparkling precision of his plays. Lord Henry is supposed to be shocking and funny and irresistably witty, but his epigrams sound as vapid and mass-produced as bumper stickers. Dorian himself is a pretty weak character on whom to hang a story. The endless descriptions of jewels and tapestries are wearing. Sadly, even homoerotic subtext can't save this unconvincing mess of a morality tale.
    • 5/5
      Reading A Picture of Dorian Gray was a transformative experience. Often times, too often, I felt like Dorian himself reading about his own life from the view of one past. The idea of living a life for the senses, one of nothing but desire and pleasure, is too close to home. Oscar Wilde’s wit manifested through Lord Henry was the OG caustic, cynic intellects for which many I know strive to be. I am somewhere in the middle of Dorian and the Lord. I am nowhere at the same time, since I am just a modern man using technology. Still, I can dream that I am not a loser and don’t spend all my time writing reviews because I have nothing else going for me. I want to be loved and hated, I want to smoke in an opium den, I want to commit suicide by destroying the painting of myself that’s kept my youth in tact. No, I want none of it. Now that I’ve finished Dorian Gray, there’s nowhere left for me to go, nothing left for me to do. I have no outlet. Just as Oscar Wilde finishes his masterpiece wit the unaware suicide of his handsome devil, a knife through his heart, lying decrepit on the floor, I have no where else to venture. I have exhausted life, or has life exhausted me?
    • 4/5
      Loved it. Consistently interesting, though a few of the speeches dragged on as did a few of Wilde's "detailing paragraphs." Though I may not have agreed with everything that was said, overall it was very good, and Wilde is a beautiful writer.
    • 4/5
      Who can not recommend Oscar Wilde? Wonderful, the story in it's purest form
    • 3/5
      Dorian Gray was a young man that had his portrait painted by Basil Hallward. Basil had a "crush" on Dorian and felt that the Dorian's "beauty" and his association with young man was the reason for Basil's new success. While at Basil's, Dorian is introduced to Lord Henry Wotton and is fascinated by the philosophies which embrace hedonism professing the pursuit of beauty and sensory satisfaction are the primary reasons for existence. This leads to Dorian's "bargain with the devil" to have his portrait absorb the ravages of age rather than his own visage. Art seems to be key in this book - the portrait is mandatory to the plot, but then there is the character of Sybil Vane, whom Dorian Gray "loves" except that what he loves is not the girl but the characters that she represents on the stage. When he no longer worships her art, he no longer loves her. Dorian Gray's debauchery is cataloged throughout and the activities that he engages are made apparent by the ravages to the portrait.Knowing to a certain degree what the story was about, the beginning was hard for me to get into. But once the story proceeded to the details, it was more entertaining.
    • 5/5
      Wow is all I have to say about The Picture of Dorian Gray. I didn't think I would like this book and I was pleasantly surprised with this book. This is the first book I have ever read by Oscar Wilde.The writing in the book was wonderful. The characters words just flow like music as you read the book. I found myself not wanting to put the book down as I was reading. Dorian, Lord Henry and the Artist Harry interact so well with each other. There is a different relationship between all 3 of them and to see the relationships change through the book was enthralling.The ending of the book was quite a surprise to me. When I read it I laughed at how well written the story was and the fact that I never realized the ending until the very last second.I can't wait to read more books written by Oscar Wilde!!
    • 4/5
      I'm glad that I read this book. I know the basic story of "The Picture of Dorian Gray" because it has become part of culture by being copied, referenced and parodied in TV, movies and other books. As a result of giving his soul to remain youthful, Dorian's picture ages and shows the results of his hedonistic lifestyle while Dorian does not. However, I didn't know the details of Dorian's life--what led him to his lifestyle and the nature of it.In regard to the book, I did have some problems with it. Until Chapter 12 and excepting Dorian's original act that started his life of corruption, I was never sure if I understood the lifestyle that Dorian lived. Wilde strongly hinted at it, but I was constantly wondering if I missed something in what I read or if Wilde had intentionally left Dorian's acts vague so that the readers could fill in the blanks. However, beginning with the 12th chapter and continuing after, Wilde becomes more explicit and provides more detail of Dorian's actions.Also, I could have done without most of Chapter 11. In this chapter, Wilde goes into great detail about his character's obsession with unique musical instruments, jewels, tapestries and Roman Catholic vestments. I really didn't get the point of the chapter.Except for these issues, I enjoyed the book and am very glad I read it. I can now say I know the full story of "The Picture of Dorian Gray."

    Book preview

    The Picture of Dorian Gray - Jenika Snow

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