The Picture of Dorian Gray

by Oscar Wilde
The Picture of Dorian Gray cover
Good Books rating 4.28
Gothic
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Technical
  • ID: 5487
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2026-03-11
  • ISBN: 9780375751516
  • Publisher: Modern Library
  • Published: 1998-06-01
  • Formats: 99
  • Reviews: 4

Oscar Wilde's 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' is a captivating exploration of vanity, corruption, and the consequences of a hedonistic lifestyle. The novel follows the life of Dorian Gray, a young man who remains eternally youthful while his portrait ages and reflects his moral decay. Written in Wilde's signature witty and elegant style, the book delves into the aesthetic and moral dilemmas of its time, causing a scandal upon its release in 1890. The story's themes and Wilde's personal life became intertwined during his trials, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. Wilde himself noted the autobiographical elements in the characters, making the novel a fascinating blend of fiction and reality. /n/n The novel's enduring appeal lies in its timeless exploration of human nature and the consequences of unchecked desire. Wilde's prose is as dazzling as it is thought-provoking, making 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' a classic that continues to resonate with readers. The book's controversial reception and Wilde's own experiences add a historical dimension that enriches the reading experience.

Reviews
NS Ford Writer · NS Ford · 2026-02-21
excellent 4.00

They described it as a classic, darkly atmospheric novel that continues to fascinate readers today. The novel's themes and writing style were particularly praised.

NS Ford described 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' as a classic, darkly atmospheric novel that continues to fascinate readers today. They praised the novel's themes and Wilde's writing style, noting that the book's exploration of morality and aesthetics is both compelling and timeless. The character of Dorian Gray was particularly intriguing, and his journey was both fascinating and disturbing. NS Ford also appreciated the novel's Gothic elements and the way Wilde wove these themes together to create a powerful and thought-provoking story. Overall, they found the book to be a must-read for anyone interested in classic literature.

Quick quotes

    This is a classic, darkly atmospheric novel which continues to fascinate its readers today.

    The novel's themes and Wilde's writing style were particularly praised.

    The character of Dorian Gray was particularly intriguing, and his journey was both fascinating and disturbing.

Goodreads · 2025-10-24
profound 4.10

The novel is a hard book to review due to its eloquent and rich writing, leaving the reviewer at a loss for words.

This Goodreads review highlights the difficulty in reviewing The Picture of Dorian Gray due to its eloquent and rich writing. The reviewer is left at a loss for words, indicating the profound impact of Wilde's prose. They appreciate the beauty of the language and the depth of the themes, which they find to be both compelling and thought-provoking. The reviewer also notes that the novel is a must-read for fans of classic literature, as it offers a unique and engaging exploration of human nature and the consequences of vanity.

Quick quotes

    The Picture of Dorian Gray is a hard book to review. After reading such eloquent, beautiful, and rich writing, I am at a loss for how to command my thoughts.

    The novel's exploration of themes such as the duality of human nature and the consequences of vanity is both profound and thought-provoking.

    The Picture of Dorian Gray is a must-read for fans of classic literature, as it offers a unique and engaging exploration of human nature and the consequences of vanity.

Vishy the Knight · Vishy · 2024-08-15
loveable 4.50

Despite its dark and sombre tone, the novel is filled with beautiful and thought-provoking passages that make it a loveable read.

Vishy's review of The Picture of Dorian Gray is overwhelmingly positive, despite acknowledging the novel's dark and sombre tone. They found the book to be heartbreaking at times, but the beautiful and thought-provoking passages made it a loveable read. Vishy appreciates the depth of the themes and the richness of the writing, which they believe makes the novel a timeless classic. They also note that the character of Dorian Gray is complex and intriguing, adding to the overall enjoyment of the book.

Quick quotes

    I loved 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', in spite of half of it being dark and sombre and heartbreaking.

    There were so many beautiful, thought-provoking passages that made the book a loveable read.

    The character of Dorian Gray is complex and intriguing, adding to the overall enjoyment of the book.

Reddit - Books · 2023-01-01
brilliant 4.50

The novel is brilliantly written and explores the dichotomy of hedonism vs abstinence, the soul vs the senses. It's a great commentary on society and human nature.

The reviewer found 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' to be brilliantly written, with a compelling exploration of the dichotomy between hedonism and abstinence, as well as the conflict between the soul and the senses. They appreciated the book's commentary on society and human nature, finding it to be a thought-provoking and insightful read. The reviewer also highlighted the book's relevance to contemporary issues, as it continues to resonate with readers today. Overall, they felt that the book was a masterpiece that deserves its classic status.

Quick quotes

    The novel is brilliantly written and explores the whole dichotomy of hedonism vs abstinence, the soul vs the senses.

    It's a great commentary on society and human nature.

    The book's themes and characters are compelling and thought-provoking.

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