The Picture of Dorian Gray review by Chris Schlabach

books:

	• The Picture of Dorian Gray (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) (Barnes & Noble Classics) Oscar Wilde Barnes & Noble Classics, 2003 - 288 pages average customer review:based on 263 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Very Interesting Look into Human Nature

This is one of the most interesting books I have ever read. There is a lot of philosophy packed into this short, fictitious account of several (three main characters) rich men who live life in a very nonchalant, yet formal environment. The characters are developed beautifully and invoke strong emotion toward each one. I found myself hating Henry, loving Basil and having strange mixed feelings for Dorian. While there are a lot of different views in regard to the overarching theme of the book, I believe (along with what seems like a majority) that the book is about morality. Man left to his own logic (shown in the character of Henry) is left only with death, and a meaningless existence. Dorian shows (I believe) the struggle of man in choosing a morality outside of human authority and logic. Dorian loses the struggle and of course it ends with his own death, which in reality is the logical conclusion to a life lived for one's own pleasure.

It is interesting to note that Oscar Wilde was an accomplished painter himself, and got the idea for this book through an actual experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and the different themes that the book brought out.

for more information click here

could this be love?

I love this book! I completely think that I have fallen in love with the character Lord Henry. He is by far one of the wittiest characters that I have ever read in a book and trust me that I have read many books! I think that Oscar Wilde was a genius and this is one of the best literary works that he has written.
It is a story of innocence lost and the quest of forever staying young.

for more information click here

A must read

Nothing that can be said of this book will truely do it justice- you must read it to understand it.

Some books are so clearly written that when a character voices a thought all you want to do is agree and quote it so others can see what you didn't even know- but have now relized- you were thinking. This book offers rich ideas on everything in life guided by the moral decay of Dorian Gray who's fulfilled wish of youth becomes the means to vices and sins. Meanwhile two friends offer opposing advice- and through it all there is no black and white and moral judgement. Simply a tale of human desires and dissapointments. Though it was written long ago it could have been told today and still ring just as true (perhaps with just alternate form of transportation and letters being sent via e-mail)

for more information click here

The Picture of Dorian Gray review by Chris Schlabach

Basil Hallward, an unknown artist, decides to paint a life-size porterate of Dorian Gray, whom he idolizes. After the picture is finished, Dorian likes it so much that he wishes that he could always look the same as he looked in the picture. After a few months, it becomes clear that Dorian's wish has been granted, and the picture bears the true immage of Dorian Gray, while the real Dorian Gray remains to look the same as the day the picture was painted.
As time goes on, the picture ages and begins to show the corruptness of Dorian's soul. The picture torments Dorian throughout the course of the book, and forces him to commit drastic actions.

for more information click here

Sweet Book

I'm a sophomore in high school and usually I don't go for these older, classic books. Usually they bore me so much I can barely finish them. However, "The Picture of Dorian Gray" was an exception to this rule. Though the language was a bit more intricate than is commonly found in the books of today (at least the ones I like to read), I found it to be more elegant and eloquent than tiresome and confusing.
This book, with all of its discussion of morals, evil, and purity really is a window into late 1800s of England. Despite this, I found the book to actually be interesting. The real appeal this book held for me was its wonderfully potent imagery and mildly creepy, definitely surreal theme. "The Picture of Dorian Gray" is also a very short book, which I thought was pretty cool because I don't have a very long attention span concerning books. In spite of how today's people are probably a great deal more jaded concerning morals, or rather the lack thereof, than the people of Oscar Wilde's time, a lot of this book was fascinating in an almost perverted way. That aspect is offset by the theme of good vs. evil, however. The only faults I found with this book were minor details concerning the definitions of good and evil, issues which I think this book was meant to rise anyway.
If you're a parent or someone looking to buy a classic book for a friend or relative in high school, I think this would be a pretty good choice, assuming they like books. The vocabulary seemed fairly advanced to me, but they ought to be able to handle it. The conflict between "good" and "evil" in this book is engaging, and the nature of the book is such that the reader has difficulty simply viewing matters in black and white. This makes the book deeper and more interesting to read. The transformations that occur in this book are slightly haunting, and at the end of this twisting tale of corruption and beauty lies a powerful, sudden, and very awesome ending. I really think that everyone should read this book.

for more information click here

reviews: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, page 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

hot

not?

What's your opinion?

Write a review and share your thoughts!

recommendations

100 Must-Read Books: The Essential Man's Library Part I
Ashley's must-read classic fiction
Philosophers' Favorite Fiction
Summer Reading Picks 2008
The Canon of Curiosities

search for books
picture of dorian, barnes, classics, dorian, gray, noble, picture, series

Impressum / about us