The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde - Restarting March 10th 2020

[Dannii]

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[I could not see Dorian's rash engagement to the actress ending well, but it did afford the reader a further insight to their relationship as we got to view it from her perspective. It made the ending all the more sorrowful. I was surprised that, following this, we also got to see the first glimpse of the painting's alterations beginning. I had assumed this would have begun long before it actually did, at almost half way through the book. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[Despite loving this, chapter 11 felt a little slow. It was also the longest. It seemed to be telling the reader the story, rather than allowing us to experience it, like in all other chapters. It more seemed to be filling us in on events.

Following this Basil and Dorian meet again... ending in Basil's murder. Dorian has transferred his fears and guilt to his figure, I believe. Ending in life is his attempt to assuage them, but I doubt this will be the case. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[The ending saw Dorian's sins caught up with him eventually, beginning with his first sin of cruelty towards Sybil, resulting in her suicide and her brother's discovery of who Prince Charming really was. Fate seemed on Dorian's side, though as he survived it. It was interesting that his wish to be a better person only came when he felt fear of being found out. It didn't strike me that this was a real wish for betterment at all.

I loved how many textures this seemed to have, and how many lenses you can view it through. I adored this one largely for the writing but also for its insights to beauty, youth, homosexuality, morality, and the society and time period it was set in. (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

48 % - (view spoiler)[We got the first change in the picture, finally. I was starting to wonder when this will happen. I knew it could not end well with Dorian and Sybil. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Julie wrote: "48 % - [spoilers removed]"

I was surprised it took so long, too!

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

72 % - (view spoiler)[Basil seemed to really care about Dorian, but after the things he said and after Dorian wanted to show him the picture, I knew he would die. And Dorian was cold about it, after killing Basil her hid the evidence and he even gave himself an aliby, quick thinking but it shows how Dorian only thinks and cares about himself. (hide spoiler)]

100 % - (view spoiler)[Going into this book I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I did. I liked that it was so character driven. And it fits the story that by destroying the picture Dorian destroyed himself. (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Dannii wrote: "Julie wrote: "48 % - [spoilers removed]"

I was surprised it took so long, too!"

I actually was beginning to wonder if we, as a reader, would see it changing at all or if it would be revealed at the end, even though I knew that it should be a big part of the story.

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Dannii wrote: "Fourth quarter - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I think you are right, it wasn't a real wish for betterment. A lot of it was fear and selfishness. I think, Dorian may once was an innocent boy but after Sybils suicide a small part of him died and then, all this time later, there wasn't anything left from Dorian from that time. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Julie wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Fourth quarter - [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

I think you're exactly right (view spoiler)[the grief and the guilt killed all the innocence inside him and you could see the downward spiral begin from that point onwards. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Julie wrote: "72 % - [spoilers removed]

100 % - [spoilers removed]"

I was both surprised and not surprised by the ending. It seemed the only possible way yet I didn't want it to be so.

[Lee]

Julie wrote: "10 % - [spoilers removed]"

I'm in the same boat. I haven't seen the movie, but I had to read this in high school. I just remember how bored with it I was. I started off interesting, but that has tapered off some. I'm back to be bored with it and ready for it to pick up.

[Dannii]

Erin wrote: "Julie wrote: "10 % - [spoilers removed]"

I'm in the same boat. I haven't seen the movie, but I had to read this in high school. I just remember how bored with it I was. I started off interesting, ..."

I agree with you about the slow moving plot, but I think I was just too in love with the writing to notice, lol.

[Lee]

Dannii wrote: "Second quarter - [spoilers removed]"

It took so long for this to happen, but I'm definitely more invested in it now than I was. (view spoiler)[ But I do wish that Harry would go away. I feel like after everything, and before, he's just been a horrible influence on Dorian. At first I feel like Dorian tried to fight his views, but now he's just going with the flow which really won't end well. (hide spoiler)]

[Lee]

Julie wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Julie wrote: "48 % - [spoilers removed]"

I was surprised it took so long, too!"

I actually was beginning to wonder if we, as a reader, would see it changing at all or if it would b..."

Ohhh. I can't decide if that would have made me like the book more or not. Haha. But I think it could have been cool.

[Lee]

Dannii wrote: "Third quarter - Despite loving this, chapter 11 felt a little slow. It was also the longest. It seemed to be telling the reader the story, rather than allowing us to experience it, like in all othe..."

That chapter was such a drag!! It just... it didn't really feel important to the story at all for me as it was more of telling that story and it was a drag to get through.

(view spoiler)[With how Dorian was going, I'm not surprised by this, but it made me sad. Basil cared so much for him and really wanted what was best for him!! I mean... Basil also wanted to make out with him (change my mind because if this was written in a different time they would have) but my point stands. So I'm just said that Dorian got so swept up in things and went down this path. (hide spoiler)]

[Lee]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Okay I liked this book better than I remember liking it way back when I was forced to read it. First off, this book is so gay and my very protected mind never saw that. But also, as Dannii mentioned, there is so much in here that could be discussed? From the beauty to the morality and everything in between. There is a lot in there. Still a bit of a slog to get through, but I don't hate it liked I used too. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Erin wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

I'm glad this worked better for you, this time around. It is an interesting character study, even if it has a simpler plot.

[Lee]

Dannii wrote: "Erin wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

I'm glad this worked better for you, this time around. It is an interesting character study, even if it has a simpler plot."

It really is. I mean we only got to really see Dorian's side of things and how that lifestyle affected him, but didn't seem to affect Lord Henry in the same way. So it's interesting to really see this show how the same lifestyle can affect people differently.

[Meaghan]

Julie wrote: "10 % - I have seen the movie, but I don't remember much, only a few things, so I'm happy to read more about Dorian.

Right now I think it's rather boring, I hope it picks up at some point, but I d..."

I've never seen the movie so I went in knowing nothing! But I do agree, it takes a bit to really get into

[Meaghan]

Dannii wrote: "Second quarter - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yea I agree! I do like that we got her insight as well, it really changed how I saw the whole relationship personally, and definitely made it more heartbreaking in the end :( And agree! It does take a while before things really start happening (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Meaghan]

Erin wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Second quarter - [spoilers removed]"

It took so long for this to happen, but I'm definitely more invested in it now than I was. [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Really agree here :( he was just not a great influence at all and you can really see it get stronger and stronger as the book goes on, until Dorian isn't even trying to fight it anymore. I wonder how differently things would have been had they just missed meeting each other (hide spoiler)]

[Meaghan]

Erin wrote: "Julie wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Julie wrote: "48 % - [spoilers removed]"

I was surprised it took so long, too!"

I actually was beginning to wonder if we, as a reader, would see it changing at all or..."

It might have been more of a twist then? I'm not sure what I would have preferred honestly! Both are interesting ways to tell the story

[Meaghan]

Erin wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Third quarter - Despite loving this, chapter 11 felt a little slow. It was also the longest. It seemed to be telling the reader the story, rather than allowing us to experience it, l..."

(view spoiler)[ hahahah 100%! Anytime Basil talked about Dorian it was just.... a love poem basically. I can't believe Wilde got away with some of those lines (until he didn't...) (hide spoiler)]

[Meaghan]

Erin wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I am glad I'm only reading it now for the first time tbh. Since I've like, practiced close-reading for my degree and everything, the gay just pops right out, and I love it. I definitely would have been blind to it before, and liked it less. And yea there's definitely loads of themes in here!! It'd be an interesting book to discuss further in a large variety of ways (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Meaghan wrote: "Erin wrote: "Julie wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Julie wrote: "48 % - [spoilers removed]"

I was surprised it took so long, too!"

I actually was beginning to wonder if we, as a reader, would see it chang..."

Me neither, I think it would have been a great twist. Especially when going into the story without knowing anything about it at all.

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Meaghan wrote: "Erin wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Third quarter - Despite loving this, chapter 11 felt a little slow. It was also the longest. It seemed to be telling the reader the story, rather than allowing us to exp..."

(view spoiler)[I think, it was a different time and people chose to overlook things they didn't want to read or see. That's why Wilde could get away with some of this. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Hoping to start this tomorrow or Saturday!

[Dannii]

Julie wrote: "Meaghan wrote: "Erin wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Third quarter - Despite loving this, chapter 11 felt a little slow. It was also the longest. It seemed to be telling the reader the story, rather than al..."

Hmmm interesting concept. I think that was probably most likely the case.

[Dannii]

Courtney wrote: "Hoping to start this tomorrow or Saturday!"

Yay, hope you enjoy Courtney. I loved this one!

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Dannii wrote: "First quarter - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yes I'm struggling. I do with all classics. I am very much a modern reader. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

25%

(view spoiler)[ Okay I'm really trying I can't do classics I have tried so much. I have seen the film and know the story but as we all know the books are never the same. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Dannii wrote: "Second quarter - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ yes the picture changing is a great part it must have scared so many that your soul can be trapped like that. This is what I love about this story. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Meaghan wrote: "Erin wrote: "Julie wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Julie wrote: "48 % - [spoilers removed]"

I was surprised it took so long, too!"

I actually was beginning to wonder if we, as a reader, would see it chang..."

It was interesting.

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Meaghan wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Second quarter - [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ The heart break was so crucial to the story. The one thing i love about the classics is how well they do misery and heartbreak. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Julie wrote: "72 % - [spoilers removed]

100 % - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ yes I believe Dorian wants friends he wants to feel accepted but knows that he can't. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

75%

(view spoiler)[ So Dorian is showing his true colours. It's almost like his playing with people. I can tell you my deepest secret but you will take it to the grave. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Finished

Well I'm so pleased I finished as I said I don't read classics and have always read modern version of these stories.

(view spoiler)[ Well there was only really one way this could end. I did like the emotion through out the book. I found most of it slow and it was more of a case of I will finish it. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Finished

Well I'm so pleased I finished as I said I don't read classics and have always read modern version of these stories.

[spoilers removed]"

Well done on finishing it! :) (view spoiler)[I agree that there seemed no other way that this could end, yet is still managed to take me by surprise. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Dannii wrote: "Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Finished

Well I'm so pleased I finished as I said I don't read classics and have always read modern version of these stories.

[spoilers removed]"

Well done on fin..."

Thanks.

[Courtney]

Starting now.

[Courtney]

19% (chapter 3) (view spoiler)[ Im confused. Why is everyone obsessed with Dorian? Becaus ehe is a painter? (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Dannii wrote: "First quarter - [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Same. It doesnt help my book doesnt match the audio book.

[Courtney]

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ Is he seriously breaking up with Sybil because she is having a bad acting day? How pathetic! (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Chapter 6 (view spoiler)[ Geez! Sybil killed herself. Holy cow. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Courtney wrote: "Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Dannii wrote: "First quarter - [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Same. It doesnt help my book doesnt match the audio book."

I found that too. I had the Stephen Fry narration and sections were missed out so I had to stop listening and just read physically.

[Dannii]

Courtney wrote: "Chapter 6 [spoilers removed]"

Totally did not see that coming!

[Courtney]

Dannii wrote: "Courtney wrote: "Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Dannii wrote: "First quarter - [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Same. It doesnt help my book doesnt match the audio book."

I found that too..."

I gave up the book to listen to it. I am cleaning so as long as I can follow it I am okay.

[Courtney]

Dannii wrote: "Courtney wrote: "Chapter 6 [spoilers removed]"

Totally did not see that coming!"

Me either. All because Dorian was being a butt!

[Courtney]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "25%

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I got the picture changed, but not sure why. Is it because he feels guilty for Sybil's death? (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Courtney wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Courtney wrote: "Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Dannii wrote: "First quarter - [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Same. It doesnt help my book doesnt match the audio book."

I..."

I found only some of the lengthier descriptions were skipped and nothing integral to the plot so you should be fine :)