The Picture of Dorian Gray (Abridged) Audiobook

" Read this book way back in High School, for English class. Really enjoyed it. Might need to revisit this classic. Clean writing, good characters, and good story. "

" Great book. It is a great journey, emotionally, morally and narratively. In some short 230 pages Wilde makes an astounding story and social critique that is surprisingly relevant today. "

" I simply did not like it. "

" The writing is excellent but the vanity and shallowness of the main character were just too much for me. Vanity is an essential ingredient of the books and it would have been more difficult to give the book its ending if the character actually did something of value. However, I could not help but get angry with the main character. This is why the book only gest 4 stars. "

" Dorian Gray's decent feels like the story of my life. Wilde's novel is erotic and disturbing and absolutely wonderful. "

" Een klassieker, uiteraard. Ik vond dat ik die toch wel mocht gelezen hebben. Wilde is een schitterend schrijver, maar soms verliest hij zich in ellenlange opsommingen, of pseudo-filosofische beschouwingen, en wordt het wat langdradig. Al bij al heb ik het toch wel graag gelezen, en zeker naar het einde toe had ik moeite om het weg te leggen. "

" The Picture of Dorian Gray is the quintessential decadent novel by that great aesthete Oscar Wilde. We must remember that Wilde was primarily a poet and playwright, and, if I am not mistaken, this is his only novel. It is a great novel, of course, if a bit heavy handed in its moralising, something Wilde was at pains to do, as his personal life and his "sins" were to be his downfall. Wilde was such a sensitive soul, that it is easy to forget, as he he is so well known for his barbed humor and aphorisms. But, as is usually the case, such a prickly exterior usually masks a remarkably refined and cultivated soul. His tales for children, such as the The Rose and the Nightingale are heart-achingly beautiful. And the witticisms of his plays, The Importance of Being Earnest, An Ideal Husband and Lady Windemere's Fan, are precious examples of Vicrtorian comedy at its finest and most sardonic. His observations on class distinction, its superficial absurdities, and its frivolousness are captured perfectly in each and all his plays, but he also had a talent for the Gothic, and if he was no Poe, he certainly sought to capture a darkness reminiscent of that other great aesthete Baudelaire. Wilde was a true romantic and had the great folly to fall in love with a well connected society man, and that sealed his fate, he would be indicted for such unseemly charges as "sodomy" and for what its worth he was a homosexual martyr who fate could not have been worse. And yet, he was always be celebrated as an advocate of "art for art's sake," and his rivalry with Whistler was well documented. It is important, too, to remember that he was an Irishman, and he led a long line of some of the finest writers in the English language who are also Irish, such as Yeats, Joyce, and, of course, Beckett. "

" Always loved this story - Oscar Wilde was brillant "

" An amazing book that is not to be read quickly. Savor every delicious word. "

" Genius. There is nothing else to be said. This is an unsettling read - but necessary. What is the price of beauty? What is its essence? What would you give for it? "

" Very witty, quick paced, but occasionally too decadent. "

" Intermittently fascinating while intermittently unbelievably boring. There is a romantic air to the life discussions between Lord Henry and Dorian, and there is a simple, delicious emotion to the dramatic events. Details, however, about Dorians life brought me near sleeping while driving. One chapter drags on and on and on and on and on...you really won't believe how long it goes about the interests that Dorian has without actually developing his character at all. Happy I read it (listened to it really) but wouldn't be near my top 10 of classic stories. "

" For years, this was my favorite book. He would be the perfect dinner companion! "

" An extremely thought provoking book! Gives you food for thought.. "

" One of my favorite books. "

" Oscar Wilde paints an incredible tale of human weakness and flaws. His statements about 19th century humanity are dismal and clear. "

" Its very descriptive, but interesting at the same time. I would recommend to get a historical background of the author, in order to enjoy the themes better. "

" really liking it so far! "

" "The Picture of Dorian Gray" is a haunting exploration into the dark side of vanity and extreme egotism. An in-depth character analysis of Dorian proved to be a remarkably eye-opening experience for me in 10 grade Drama class. Hopefully, I'll be able to see it performed on stage some time. "

" Thrilling and self-indulgent, this classic holds one's attention to the end. "

" Bewildered by the splendidly articulated philosophical inclinations of Oscar Wilde. "

" This is for people who only care about themselves, how poor Dorian looks young through the years but his soul get old every moment. You can lie to others but never to yourself. "

" It was good... I just didn't care for it. "

" Gross. Not my favorite. Hahahaha it is a classic tho so I do respect it. "

" Problablemente la obra mas espectacular de Oscar Wilde. DEGRADACION DE LA MORALIDAD. "

" Een goed boek, leest verbazend vlot. "

" Liked it because it made me hate it. Well done Mr. Wilde. "

" Enjoyed the story - thought some of the plot line could have been stronger. "

" Middle third of the book is really dull and cause for skimming. Bit of a Poe feel to it. Lord Henry is alive and well today unfortunately, while Basil is becoming less and less visible. Are we all the 17 year old Dorian looking for Basil, but finding Lord Henry instead? "

" Fascinating look into vanity, self indulgence and egotism. "

" Only one chapter I didn't particularly like, but this was a superbly written and excellent read. Shame Wilde didn't write more novels. Ranks as one of the best 'classic' books I've read. "

" 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. "

" great novel!!! as all the Oscar Wilde's works!!!! "

" It makes me think about how much people influence people. I haven't decided if this a good thing or bad but I'm leaning toward the latter part. "

" The best part of this book is Lord Henry's sharp observations on marriage and romance, ie "You seem to forget I am married, and the one charm of marriage is that it makes a life of deception absolutely necessary for both parties." I enjoyed Wilde's philosophy on ego and consequences. Great ending. "

" It is a classic for a reason! "

" Great book. It is a great journey, emotionally, morally and narratively. In some short 230 pages Wilde makes an astounding story and social critique that is surprisingly relevant today. "

" Interesting book It had an impression on me in the end. "

" 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. "

" A great concept, a fascinating read. But I didn't enjoy hacking through the purple prose and flowery patches. "

" A disturbing, terrific stiry how much one is willing to do for the sake of vanity "

" It makes me think about how much people influence people. I haven't decided if this a good thing or bad but I'm leaning toward the latter part. "

" A quote to remember on every page "

" this is one of my favoirtes. "

" Exquisite. The hedonism, the era, the addictive and self-destructive behavior drew me in until I could no longer let go. It is undoubtedly one of my favorite books. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" Macabre version of Thomas Hardy. Memorable. "

" 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. "

" Macabre version of Thomas Hardy. Memorable. "

" Had a hard time finishing it. Maybe it's because I really don't like him. "

" I've read this book a couple of times over the years and have always enjoyed it. "

" I feel the urge to add that I have read this in three languages. I guess this sums up how much I like it. "

" Had a hard time finishing it. Maybe it's because I really don't like him. "

" I've read this book a couple of times over the years and have always enjoyed it. "

" I feel the urge to add that I have read this in three languages. I guess this sums up how much I like it. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" Clever wordplay, flowery symbolism, tortured souls. Gotta love Oscar Wilde. "

" Clever wordplay, flowery symbolism, tortured souls. Gotta love Oscar Wilde. "

" wonderful story of a man who finds out how life is and who becomes something that he is not. I think this is what happens with all of us at a certain age, we are all good people at the beginning but we have to change during the life. And the metaphor of the picture is great. "

" wonderful story of a man who finds out how life is and who becomes something that he is not. I think this is what happens with all of us at a certain age, we are all good people at the beginning but we have to change during the life. And the metaphor of the picture is great. "