Picture of Dorian Gray (Wordsworth Classics)

A slow reading of this book is deeply pleasurable. Wilde’s skill is undeniable. There are so many angles to consider when discussing this text.

What a truly captivating novel! There is so much to take in, contemplate, repel, and admire. It’s a book that exposes, primarily, the ugliness of sin in this world, and one’s self, and the consequences that happen to those who drink of the “pleasures” of life with no regard to anyone but themselves.The Picture of Dorian Gray is a dark, dramatic, and solemn book that quite beautifully illustrates the self destruction that vanity brings, at its extreme. Throughout the entire time I listened to this book, I was in awe of the writing, the dialogue, the careful analogies, and lengthy, but intentional, descriptions. It is truly a masterpiece of literacy.The concept of the picture reflecting Dorian’s soul and his acceptance and fascination of that, which inevitably led to his own destruction, is an enthralling storyline. Once he became conscious of what he could do to the picture, and his hatred of the picture fueling his actions, he sacrificed his own soul to destroy it. There truly is a “terrifying moral”, as the synopsis of a different edition stated, in the life of Dorian Gray.But amidst the darkness, there is an incredible appreciation of beauty all throughout this novel. There are lengthy chapters and conversations discussing the wonders of gorgeous gardens, the poetry that commits itself to one’s memory, the taste of a delectable meal, and art in all of its forms. The Picture of Dorian Gray is a blend of the beautiful and the hideous, the captivating and the repulsive, the good influences and the bad, and our choices in how we respond to them, and furthermore, how our responses and choices affect others around us. The Picture of Dorian Gray captures the complexities of life.As far as content goes, I was surprised at how vague it was towards Dorian’s nightlife. There are never any scenes in which we actually encounter what he does to tarnish his soul, we only witness the aftermath in the destruction of his friendships and his misery that comes in the morning. And I liked it like that. It added to the mystery of him, and though we are given only snippets, like passing names or notes, the author burns a curiosity into the reader by never fully indulging Dorian’s actions, and even upon finishing the book, some things, we’ll just never know about Dorian Gray. So it is, very surprisingly if you’re acquainted with the movie (which I cannot share the trailer due to it being rated R for sexual content), a clean book.I must disclose however that there is a substantial mention of suicide, a graphic murder, and plenty of emotional tension. The only sexual content is in passing conversation, periodically, that is in no way graphic (the worst was Dorian speaking about his ancestor and mentioned that he “housed orgies”, and nothing more was said). There is no cursing either.So overall, I am inclined to give The Picture of Dorian Gray 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to lovers of classic literature as a novel they should attempt to read at least once in their life. I do recommend it for students aged 16+, or at the parents’ discretion, due to the heavy emotional content.This is a LiteratureApproved (.com) Review.

The book didn't come damaged or anything. The qualities nice and it definitely seems new.My only issues were that that package was delayed and the cover isn't right so I'm a little disappointed.Other than that there were no problems

It's a hard read, have to be diligent on understanding what was written.

This was a book club selection. I judged the book by its cover and didn't think I'd finish it, a preemptive disdain for a nineteenth century style and language. I was wrong. I was lulled into the story by the main characters, in particular, the corruptive Lord Henry. I found him as interesting as he found the beautiful, unspoiled young Dorian. In a way, Wilde wrote the main characters as different reflections of himself; inwardly as the dull painter, Basil Hallward, and outwardly, as he was perceived by the world, in Lord Henry. I skipped over much of chapter 11, where Dorian takes off into fantastical worlds influenced by a book sent by Lord Henry. In the end, a morally-bankrupted Dorian tries to turn himself around, to doing "good," drawing an ominous parallel to his creator Wilde, who converted to Roman Catholicism, just before his died.