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The Picture of Dorian Gray

Oscar Wilde

Start date: November 1, 2020

Finish date: November 30, 2020

Discussion: Monthly Group Read - 11/20

Why we're reading this: Winner in the poll for our November 2020 Monthly Read

[close] Winner in the poll for our November 2020 Monthly Read

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May 12, 2013 Henry Avila rated it really liked it · review of another edition

"A face without a heart", so said Shakespeare in Hamlet, but it applies to the portrait of Dorian Gray even better.... When the young gentleman Dorian Gray from a wealthy aristocratic family in Victorian England, has his picture completed something is missing, Basil Hallward, the painter senses it and insists that no one sees his greatest work, except a few people ... The witty Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian's soon to be best friend seems amused, a shy artist! All three are fascinated by the painting "A face without a heart", so said Shakespeare in Hamlet, but it applies to the portrait of Dorian Gray even better.... When the young gentleman Dorian Gray from a wealthy aristocratic family in Victorian England, has his picture completed something is missing, Basil Hallward, the painter senses it and insists that no one sees his greatest work, except a few people ... The witty Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian's soon to be best friend seems amused, a shy artist! All three are fascinated by the painting, discussing it at length in Mr. Hallward's house. The lord is a notorious man, with a well- deserved evil reputation, warned by many to stay away from him. Nevertheless Gray's a lonely orphan, needs excitement in his dreary life, Wotton tells Dorian to have fun while he is still young, it will not last long. Mr. Gray has good looks, and like a moth to a flame the boy can't resist. Dorian wishes that the portrait ages while he remains young, as time goes by, Dorian would give his soul for this, Lord Henry laughs at the oath, strangely his request is fulfilled shortly afterwards. Dorian meets a beautiful seventeen- year- old actress, both fall madly in love, later the nervous Sibyl Vane, gives a really bad performance in front of Gray , and his two friends, Wotton, Hallward, the young gentleman is crushed , and so disappointed he leaves her. Sibyl then kills herself, James her brother had pledged to destroy anyone who harms his sister, he will cause Mr. Gray much concern subsequently. The wicked lord tells the distraught youth to forget about it, "Eternal youth, infinite passion, pleasures subtle and secrets, wild joy and wilder sins". All this and only the picture to show its evil, a great bargain Dorian feels. Rumors abound about Dorian, they the people look at his face and see only purity, Gray continues his hedonistic life, murder , another suicide and a killing results ... In a locked, quiet, dark room upstairs at his home, where the curious Mr. Gray keeps the painting, it Grotesquely Changes, whenever more wickedness is committed by the owner. The ugly side of Dorian, only he sees... Later into the shadows , Dorian goes to get opium, he wants salvation through drugs, blackout his memories but gloom is everywhere, a thick atmosphere of foreboding, intense desperation and immense helplessness, prevails. Reaching for something, that will save his poor soul, make him feel worthwhile that life has some meaning, is all lost? A mournful torrent rushes Dorian forward always forward, into the abyss, the darkness, the endless unknown regions, next oblivion? The light is going out, Dorian must face his destiny, he couldn't escape himself ... ...more

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Dec 29, 2011 Mr. Twinkie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: thebest100list, classic, 5-stars, 1800-1900, good-fiction

I am raising this to a five star book because it's simply a book that I keep thinking about all the time despite being over a month ago since I finished it. It did make an impact on me that I wasn't aware of. ...more

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Jan 08, 2012 Å rated it it was ok

Shelves: ebook, english, classics

OK - first of all - I like classics. I gave "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville 5 of 5 stars. I do enjoy good books that actually has something to tell and do not only exist for the purpose of entertainment. Nevertheless, this is not a book for me.

This is a famous classic, and a lot og people seem to love "a picture of Dorian Gray" here at Goodreads.
I found the book to be partly funny, partly clever and intelligent. It has a message to tell, maybe even a critic of the society of today.

However, to me ...more

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