Oscar Wilde’s only published novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, presents an intriguing idea. The main character, Dorian Gray, allows a painting to be subjected to the consequences of his actions and general aging, allowing him, in turn, to live a carefree and youthful life.
Wilde was one of the most prominent and followed personalities of his time. This novel, his plays, his wit, and his infamy combined to give him lasting recognition.
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"The prose and imagery in this book is fantastic and I was tempted to give it a five star rating but for one thing... I'm not a big fan of the Hedonism that is exemplified in this novel but I understand that it plays a big part in the overall message and is necessary in that way. I won't say much else because I think this is really a book that everyone should just sit down and read without giving away too much before hand. I will say that it has a creepy gothic charm and that it sucked me in from the Preface."
— Danielle (4 out of 5 stars)
" I read this book every few years and always find a new moment to love! "
— Alexia, 2/16/2014" It was a long time ago when I read this. It reminded me of an Anne Rice novel, although I suppose technically Anne Rice novels should remind me Oscar Wilde. The language was gorgeous, written in that extravagant, superfluous way that emphasizes the materialism and selfishness of the main character. It wasn't a happy book, by a long shot, but it was very interesting to read. "
— Caitlin, 2/15/2014" This was the first book I read that open my mind the the concept of investigating the human conscious in literature. Incredibly written, profoundly interesting. "
— Dwaine, 2/14/2014" Thrilling and self-indulgent, this classic holds one's attention to the end. "
— Frieda, 2/14/2014" I read this decades ago. "
— Meredith, 2/13/2014" Hmmm, not sure what to say about this book. A part of me really liked the lesson it presented. It kind of reminded me of "The Screwtape Letters." The other part of me thought it was kind of icky and sad to see the way some people treat religion and God's ways. "
— Rebecca, 2/10/2014" I read this because i saw the movie years ago on tv, and couldnt remember how it ended,,, I have to say I liked the movie better, had a hard time concentrating while reading this book. Dont know if it was just me or not, but I didnt really enjoy the book.. "
— Donna, 2/9/2014" It was a long time ago when I read this. It reminded me of an Anne Rice novel, although I suppose technically Anne Rice novels should remind me Oscar Wilde. The language was gorgeous, written in that extravagant, superfluous way that emphasizes the materialism and selfishness of the main character. It wasn't a happy book, by a long shot, but it was very interesting to read. "
— Caitlin, 2/8/2014" So dark, scary, crazy. Also tons and tons of homoerotica abounds. Wilde's writing style is very stylized and lyrical. You would think that I would sympathize with Dorian and how he is corrupted by Lord Henry (and his book), but I wasn't. He became such a selfish, arrogant, immoral person. Even his attempt at redemption was half-hearted. The novel was interesting in its discussion of the power of Art as evidenced by the portrait of Dorian itself. I'm glad I don't have one in hidden in my closet. Read this as part of my AP Literature teacher Book Club. Can't wait for us to discuss in early Spring! "
— Lisa, 2/8/2014" I love lord Henry. He and his quotes are amazing. Absolutely. "
— natália, 2/6/2014" I love Oscar Wilde because he's so goshdarned snarky - and this book was no exception. It's Wilde at his most sinister, and alarmingly accessible to a modern reader despite the test of time. Brilliant message, and clever wordplay make this a classic that feels current. "
— Abbey, 1/31/2014" A thought-provoking and highly ironic read examining the human condition. Lots of cultural and historical references, most of which I didn't get, which served to show me how uninformed of an individual I am. "
— Carmen, 1/29/2014" Actually I don't like literature but somehow this book made me to like it. I will give it 3 stars because : First of all i didn't like the characters, I mean i liked that they roles that they played but somehow... i didn't fit for me. Anyway i didn't like so much the book so i could read it again but it is a good book. "
— Masha, 1/28/2014" Read "The Uncensored Picture of Dorian Gray", to compare the two versions. "
— Hima, 1/27/2014" of course i was in high school when i first read this short fiction and have reread it several times over the years but never seriously. this time -- for whatever reason -- i have read it slowly, carefully and remain impressed with oscar wilde's insights and story construction. a man of his times yet his words can resonate in a reader today. most consistently i find wilde's works to be engaging and often enough excellent cautionary tales disguised as modern stories. "
— Maggie, 1/26/2014" I love Oscar Wilde because he's so goshdarned snarky - and this book was no exception. It's Wilde at his most sinister, and alarmingly accessible to a modern reader despite the test of time. Brilliant message, and clever wordplay make this a classic that feels current. "
— Abbey, 1/23/2014" I enjoyed it, it was wonderful and witty to read. Wordy, yes. But that is how most older books are. If you like something fast paced and action packed then this is not for you. But if you like a deep look into the slow and steady corruption of someone's soul then you will like this book. "
— Ian, 1/21/2014" The novel was beautifully written and it was certainly interesting, however I felt no pleasure in reading it. I felt that there wasn't a good enough plot and there wasn't enough excitement to keep me enthralled throughout the story. The only part I liked was the ending of the novel. "
— Jemila, 1/20/2014" Gran libro, mi hanno colpito specialmente i dialoghi, ti catturano in una maniera incredibile... "
— Luigi, 1/19/2014" A very well crafted and original story. I think any other stories about paintings taking on supernatural qualities must come from this novel. "
— Chuck, 1/16/2014" Another from my well-read youth, this time prompted by a crush on Peter Firth, who played Dorian in a BBC adaptation. "
— Viv, 1/14/2014" Beautiful story! I couldn't stop reading it! Oscar Wilde is an amazing writer! "
— Panhia, 1/7/2014" I enjoyed the book immensely! It's definitely a book I will talk about with my friends! That said, I was a little dissapointed by the end, but not enough for it to truly take away from the book as a whole. "
— Andrea, 1/3/2014" Very interesting story. Some interesting twists, and very thought provoking. Loved the ending! "
— Amy, 12/26/2013" Though dark and mysterious, it is lovely and exciting! "
— Tiril, 12/19/2013" Thrilling and self-indulgent, this classic holds one's attention to the end. "
— Frieda, 12/9/2013" Excellent. Brilliantly written; Oscar Wilde's writing is easy for the Modern reader. This novel is filled with components of its' time, as well as some mystery. It could categorized in the Gothic Literature section. "
— Brittany, 11/28/2013" Great classic, would recommend it to anyone. "
— Cindy, 11/24/2013" Fascinating look into vanity, self indulgence and egotism. "
— Daniela, 11/6/2013" I enjoyed this book. A little different than what historically I understood of the story from other writings and fiction. Good one to read. "
— Steven, 10/31/2013" Amazing story, which is wonderfully written and with a lot of detail (without getting boring). I'd really recommend it to people who are looking for a rather short story (it really isn't that long) with some nice bits of humor in it as well. It's a shame he didn't write more books. "
— Marescha, 10/28/2013" Highly enjoyed reading this and would regard it as an essential classic. However, I don't think it quite lives up to its hype. "
— Emma, 10/27/2013" A very compelling story, although Wilde's prose was difficult to follow at a few points. Most of it seemed like an extremely eloquent analysis of Hedonism as a worldview. Pretty much everything Lord Henry says is quotable. Definitely a book I'll read again someday "
— Evan, 8/23/2013" More like fifty Shades of Dorian Grey "
— Jade, 8/3/2013" An extraordinary work of art, if I may say so. "
— Leidz, 6/27/2013" I don't know there is anything I can say that hasn't been said before about this book. It has been on my Classics 'to read' for a while and it was worth my time and attention. A truly great writer. "
— Karen, 5/22/2013" very clever but ends somewhat abuptly "
— Matt, 3/1/2013" A bit slow to start with but picks up. An absolute stinker of a chapter eleven. Brilliantly written but a list that takes up 10% of the novel. From there on though it's great. Should have read it last spring. Better late than never. "
— Bob, 1/28/2013" A very good read. Thought provoking, beautifully written, I found it hard to put it down. "
— Sarah, 1/1/2013" This book is awesome. If you don't agree, you can fuck off. "
— Awni, 12/19/2012" very good... is fiction of course but is a great one.. and it pictures the things thah many of us would do if we could be eternaly young "
— Elizabeth, 10/15/2012" I don't know there is anything I can say that hasn't been said before about this book. It has been on my Classics 'to read' for a while and it was worth my time and attention. A truly great writer. "
— Karen, 10/15/2012" excellent, love the writing and character development "
— Catherine, 10/2/2012" My favourite book of all time!! "
— Lorraine, 9/4/2012" Some great quotes and interesting themes make this a good book, and I generally like Wilde, but some parts were also strange. "
— Ashley, 8/31/2012" I loved it. Love Wilde and how he was in tune with his darker side which is so evident in Grey's character. "
— Sylvia, 5/4/2012" Clever, satirical and your typical eloquent diction of Wilde. "
— Graham, 3/16/2012" I read this book during college. Amazing story. Something similar to humans desires and learnings... "
— Ana, 3/7/2012" I very much enjoyed this book. It has more sharp, witty one liners than any book I've ever read, and its worth reading for that alone. "
— Anna, 2/27/2012" One of my favourite novels. Clever, witty, delightful. Absolutely loved it. "
— Kelly, 1/14/2012" "The worst of having a romance of any kind is that it leaves one so unromantic." Oh yeah! "
— Tissiana, 12/29/2011" A very well crafted and original story. I think any other stories about paintings taking on supernatural qualities must come from this novel. "
— Chuck, 10/21/2011" This book is a way too good! It seems that all my classmates read it! I read it too! It is exceptional! Mrvellous! Gotta love this one! "
— Andreeas, 10/17/2011" Five stars, it's a classic. "
— Sara, 10/7/2011" This book is in my top ten favorite books of all time, for sure! "
— Leah, 8/26/2011" Interesting insight into the lifestyle and morality of the day. Rather dark and fatalistic. "
— Elaine, 8/25/2011" I read this a long time ago, so I'm goes/remembering. I should probably re-read it. "
— Laurie, 7/12/2011" An insightful story but a little wordy. But being wordy is what I expect out of older books. In some of the areas the descriptions seem to be pointless or go nowhere, but the actual story is well told. "
— C.V., 6/11/2011" I'm glad I finally read it. I don't enjoy stories where the protagonist is a villain, especially when the author obviously has so much sympathy for the character. "
— Thara, 5/24/2011" I am yet to read a bad Oscar Wilde book. He is simply amazing. "
— Stephanie, 5/24/2011" very witty book, definitely one to be read over and over. All Wilde says is the truth, no matter how paradoxical "
— Angelaswing, 5/24/2011" The dated style of prose makes it a slow read, but the story is a classic. Knowing that Oscar Wilde was struggling with his sexuality adds an element that gives depth to the conflict. "
— Katie, 5/23/2011" The dated style of prose makes it a slow read, but the story is a classic. Knowing that Oscar Wilde was struggling with his sexuality adds an element that gives depth to the conflict. "
— Katie, 5/23/2011" The dated style of prose makes it a slow read, but the story is a classic. Knowing that Oscar Wilde was struggling with his sexuality adds an element that gives depth to the conflict. "
— Katie, 5/23/2011" I found much of this difficult to read in this day and age, especially the epigramatic dialog but the rest was very good. Not my first time and would recommend as an important classic to read. "
— Carol, 5/22/2011" I found much of this difficult to read in this day and age, especially the epigramatic dialog but the rest was very good. Not my first time and would recommend as an important classic to read. "
— Carol, 5/22/2011" I found much of this difficult to read in this day and age, especially the epigramatic dialog but the rest was very good. Not my first time and would recommend as an important classic to read. "
— Carol, 5/22/2011" This novel isn't as well known as <em>Dracula</em> or <em>Frankenstein</em> but it is just as good. In some ways, it is darker than those two as well. "
— Drucilla, 5/20/2011" Macabre version of Thomas Hardy. Memorable. "
— Jeremiah, 5/20/2011" This novel isn't as well known as <em>Dracula</em> or <em>Frankenstein</em> but it is just as good. In some ways, it is darker than those two as well. "
— Drucilla, 5/20/2011" Macabre version of Thomas Hardy. Memorable. "
— Jeremiah, 5/20/2011" This novel isn't as well known as <em>Dracula</em> or <em>Frankenstein</em> but it is just as good. In some ways, it is darker than those two as well. "
— Drucilla, 5/20/2011" Macabre version of Thomas Hardy. Memorable. "
— Jeremiah, 5/20/2011" Had a hard time finishing it. Maybe it's because I really don't like him. "
— Heather, 5/19/2011" I've read this book a couple of times over the years and have always enjoyed it. "
— Wilde, 5/19/2011" I feel the urge to add that I have read this in three languages. I guess this sums up how much I like it. "
— Julia, 5/19/2011" Had a hard time finishing it. Maybe it's because I really don't like him. "
— Heather, 5/19/2011" I've read this book a couple of times over the years and have always enjoyed it. "
— Wilde, 5/19/2011" I feel the urge to add that I have read this in three languages. I guess this sums up how much I like it. "
— Julia, 5/19/2011" Had a hard time finishing it. Maybe it's because I really don't like him. "
— Heather, 5/19/2011" It was very good, a bit slow in the beginning but the ending was really unexpected. "
— Johanne, 5/19/2011" I've read this book a couple of times over the years and have always enjoyed it. "
— Wilde, 5/19/2011" I feel the urge to add that I have read this in three languages. I guess this sums up how much I like it. "
— Julia, 5/19/2011" I love Oscar Wilde's style of writing. Believe it or not, this is the first time I've read anything by him, and now I am itching to read everything he wrote. "
— Syreeta, 5/18/2011" I love Oscar Wilde's style of writing. Believe it or not, this is the first time I've read anything by him, and now I am itching to read everything he wrote. "
— Syreeta, 5/18/2011" Exquisite... the word that came to my mind after the last page of this wonderful piece of art. I can't really say much, but its interesting how everything goes around the arts, the beauty and the greed. <br/><br/>Go and read this, period. "
— Jose, 5/18/2011" I love Oscar Wilde's style of writing. Believe it or not, this is the first time I've read anything by him, and now I am itching to read everything he wrote. "
— Syreeta, 5/18/2011" Exquisite... the word that came to my mind after the last page of this wonderful piece of art. I can't really say much, but its interesting how everything goes around the arts, the beauty and the greed. <br/><br/>Go and read this, period. "
— Jose, 5/18/2011" Exquisite... the word that came to my mind after the last page of this wonderful piece of art. I can't really say much, but its interesting how everything goes around the arts, the beauty and the greed. <br/><br/>Go and read this, period. "
— Jose, 5/18/2011" Clever wordplay, flowery symbolism, tortured souls. Gotta love Oscar Wilde. "
— Kristen, 5/17/2011" Clever wordplay, flowery symbolism, tortured souls. Gotta love Oscar Wilde. "
— Kristen, 5/17/2011Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) was born in Dublin. He won scholarships to both Trinity College, Dublin, and Magdalen College, Oxford. In 1875, he began publishing poetry in literary magazines, and in 1878, he won the coveted Newdigate Prize for English poetry. He had a reputation as a flamboyant wit and man-about-town. After his marriage to Constance Lloyd in 1884, he tried to establish himself as a writer, but with little initial success. However, his three volumes of short fiction, The Happy Prince, Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime, and A House of Pomegranates, together with his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, gradually won him a reputation as a modern writer with an original talent. That reputation was confirmed and enhanced by the phenomenal success of his society comedies: Lady Windermere’s Fan, A Woman of No Importance, An Ideal Husband, and The Importance of Being Earnest, all performed on London’s West End stage between 1892 and 1895. In 1895, he was convicted of engaging in homosexual acts, which were then illegal, and sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labor. He soon declared bankruptcy, and his property was auctioned off. In 1896, he lost legal custody of his children. When his mother died that same year, his wife Constance visited him at the jail to bring him the news. It was the last time they saw each other. In the years after his release, his health deteriorated. In November 1900, he died in Paris at the age of forty-six.
Hurd Hatfield (1917–1998) was an Emmy-nominated actor who starred in numerous films and television shows, including the 1945 film production of The Picture of Dorian Gray.