Book – The Picture of Dorian Gray

Book – The Picture of Dorian Gray 

By : Oscar Wilde 

Score : 9/10 

Year: 1890 (first)  ; this edition 2003 ( using the 1891 extended & revised text) ; 

Publisher : Penguin Classics

ISBN 978-0-141-43957-0 / 9780141439570 

Pages : xli-251 *

Language: English

* The novel itself is 213 pages, followed by a selection of contemporary reviews, and notes that I suggest reading after the novel, because although they explain background information and context, some do spoil later events. 

The picture of Dorian Gray is another novel that I read much after watching its theatrical adaptation. Despite remembering some elements from this story, it had been some years since I'd watched the 1945 movie, so I could rediscover this Gothic-horror tale, first published in the 1890.



The protagonist is, off course, Dorian Gray. He is a handsome young man ; he poses for the painter Basil Hallward who is so infatuated with and inspired by Dorian's handsomeness that he creates a masterpiece in his portrait. In his narcissism, Dorian falls in love with his image and makes a wild wish to retain his youth and beauty eternally.

His hedonist friend Lord Henry "Harry" Wotton imparts his philosophy with Dorian and observes his development over the years that follow. 

With this novel, Oscar Wilde shocked its earliest readers at the end of the 19th century, as it hinted unspeakable sins and decadence. 

Oscar explores notions of (im)morality, and the pursuits of eternal youth and beauty, in a world of changing value systems at the turn of his 19th century British society, where respectability and appearances meant everything. As his hero leads a double life, Wilde's characterizations and depictions of Dorian's intellectual pursuits as well as his romantic life are often full of innuendos and humorous notes in the mist of dramatic sequences. 

Despite some obvious misogynist and racist, cringe-worthy passages ; and a short hunting scene, this novel is a must-read and is very well written. It has a unique narrative style with many quotable phrases and was very pleasant to read overall. 

I'll try to avoid spoilers, but if you are extremely sensitive and triggerable, i'll caution you at the end of this review. 


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Trigger warning / word of caution : there are a few mentions of suicide and some period-related habits and morals, which have to be read in their context. There isn't much detail about