The Picture of Dorian Gray in Around the Year in 52 Books

Apr 30, 2021 John Warner rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: literary-classic, gothic-horror

Dorian Gray, a young Narcissus, has everything he desires; he has wealth, power, and friends who want to be in his company. After a friend paints his portrait, he bemoans the fact that his painting will always display a youthful visage while he will age.

"I'm am jealous of everything whose beauty does not die. I am jealous of the portrait you have painted of me. Why should it keep what I must lose?"

Unaware of what he is doing, Dorian makes a Faustian pact:

"If it were only the other way! If it we ...more

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Oct 03, 2022 Beth Given rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audio

The artist Basil is enamored with the beauty of Dorian Gray, and proclaims his portrait of Dorian as his best work. Dorian vainly agrees, and in a Faustian bargain, exchanges his soul if he could always be as young and handsome as his portrait. He soon discovers that his own countenance retains its innocence in spite of his sins, while his portrait becomes uglier and older over time.

This classic Gothic novel was such a great read for October. I keep thinking about the themes and have explained t ...more

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Mar 23, 2012 Kathleen (itpdx) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Normally, I enjoy catching up on classics that I have missed. But this was a slog. The story of Dorian Gray and his portrait are part of our culture. But I had never read the book. The writing is uneven. Sometimes the characters drone on about their philosophy and then there is one marvelous section of witty repartee worthy of Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. Then there is section that goes on and on about jewels and textiles. It has some pretty language and does give us the idea that Do ...more

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Jan 31, 2019 Ketutar Jensen rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 1000-soleils

“Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be—in other ages, perhaps.”
Yes... I got that. The way Oscar talks about beauty and art and... the passage about the jewels and textiles... *sigh* Reminds me of C.S.Lewis' Surprised by Joy. Funny... but there is the same awe and wonder and helpless devotion there.
And how Basil got killed. I think Oscar knew his young beautiful beaus had the upper hand in their relationships...

I just kept think ...more

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