The Picture of Dorian Gray

Books | Fiction / Classics

4.2

(19.2K)

Oscar Wilde

The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde, is part of the Barnes & Noble Classics series, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of Barnes & Noble Classics: New introductions commissioned from today's top writers and scholars Biographies of the authors Chronologies of contemporary historical, biographical, and cultural events Footnotes and endnotes Selective discussions of imitations, parodies, poems, books, plays, paintings, operas, statuary, and films inspired by the work Comments by other famous authors Study questions to challenge the reader's viewpoints and expectations Bibliographies for further reading Indices & Glossaries, when appropriateAll editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications; some include illustrations of historical interest. Barnes & Noble Classics pulls together a constellation of influences--biographical, historical, and literary--to enrich each reader's understanding of these enduring works. Oscar Wilde brings his enormous gifts for astute social observation and sparkling prose to The Picture of Dorian Gray, his dreamlike story of a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. This dandy, who remains forever unchanged--petulant, hedonistic, vain, and amoral--while a painting of him ages and grows increasingly hideous with the years, has been horrifying, enchanting, obsessing, even corrupting readers for more than a hundred years. Taking the reader in and out of London drawing rooms, to the heights of aestheticism, and to the depths of decadence, The Picture of Dorian Gray is not only a melodrama about moral corruption. Laced with bon mots and vivid depictions of upper-class refinement, it is also a fascinating look at the milieu of Wilde's fin-de-siècle world and a manifesto of the creed "Art for Art's Sake." The ever-quotable Wilde, who once delighted London with his scintillating plays, scandalized readers with this, his only novel. Upon publication, Dorian was condemned as dangerous, poisonous, stupid, vulgar, and immoral, and Wilde as a "driveling pedant." The novel, in fact, was used against Wilde at his much-publicized trials for "gross indecency," which led to his imprisonment and exile on the European continent. Even so, The Picture of Dorian Gray firmly established Wilde as one of the great voices of the Aesthetic movement, and endures as a classic that is as timeless as its hero.

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Author

Oscar Wilde

Pages

248

Publisher

Barnes & Noble Classics

Published Date

2003

ISBN

1593080255 9781593080259

Ratings

Google: 3.5

Community ReviewsSee all

"This is a book about a seemingly normal man who uses his Society friends and Title in the worst possible way. "

Errika Mason

"I am. I picked it for this month’s read!"

Danielle Henry

"Very obscure, but I liked the plot. I got bored during some of the chapters, but I liked the ending and the message. "

ℋ𝒶𝓃𝓃𝒶𝒽 𝒥

"A Classic for a reason, what a great idea to explore in a short and sweet format (reads very much like a play, imo). Though I sure get bored with the aristocratic going to other people’s houses theme that continuously shows up in so many classics."

CaitVD

"I really didn't like this book. I easily would have DNF'd it if I didn't have to read it for my English class but because I did, I ended up reading the entire thing. I was excited to read it too, a book that's widely acclaimed and has a plotline that on the outside sounds pretty interesting. Dorian Gray remaining youthful while a painting takes on his slowly degenerating morals and subsequent sins. But it didn't end up being what I thought it would be, it was mostly LOOONG talks about philosophy that wern't interesting in the slightest. For most of the book I was just struggling to concentrate which is never a good sign. I was so board and done by the time I got to parts that were semi-interesting it just didn't matter because I knew in a couple pages I'd be board again. Now I will say maybe I'm not at the age for this book and in 2o years I'll re-read it and find interest in all of the conversations but I think at most it's a 50/50 chance. Because I could understand enough of the conversations I just either didn't agree or didn't care about them. Next, I hated all the characters, I didn't get connected to a single one the entire book which is one of the pleasures of storytelling. I hated Dorian and everyone else as soon as they were introduced. Basil wasn't bad but he was too boring to actually connect with. Most of the characters were rich and lazy as hell and talked all day because they didn't actually need to do anything meaningful with their lives. They act superior and snooty and because that's the only thing you see, I don't understand how anyone likes this book. I don't care about their conversations and parties, it was all boring. The writing is pretty good and fancy, but I don't actually get anything from the words. I don't see how this book could have been made better which is something I always consider when I have problems with a book. I think so much would have to be changed for me to enjoy this book it would be a entirely different book. "

Cole Johnson

"What a phenomenal read. There are quotes in this novel that will be in my head forever. It is a fantastic classic that is about morality, sin, and who we show to the world versus who we are. I was genuinely shocked at multiple points of the story. Oscar Wilde gives us all great reminders to choose your friends carefully, stay humble, and that your words have power to wound. "

Alexia Hollis

"Ugh! Dorian Gray was the worst! But this was such a good read. Or listen. (I cheated and listened to half of it via audiobook lol.) I loved it. This is an attainable classic for those who wanna read classics but get bogged down by the old language. Full Disclosure though: I def skipped around the wordier bits :)"

Spice Police

"This is a biased review because again I'm not one for classics. This back story was very intriguing and I am happy learning about classic characters and how their portrayed on tv today. I underestimated how cruel and loathsome Dorain became. I thought before reading he was always that way but he actually seemed good before the portrait. It made me sad that a stranger could talk to you for a short while and turn you into a monster."