Customer Reviews

The Picture of Dorian Gray and Other Short Stories (Signet Classics)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A wonderful blend of morality and wit, set in the background of beautiful phrasing and truly enjoyable descriptions.

This book is very clever because it starts you off on par with Dorian - the main character - who then has his youthful innocence. Bit by bit, you find yourself fully strung on by the book's manipulative character who lures you in to the concept that everlasting beauty is more important than a beautiful soul.

Though predictable, the understanding the author demonstrates for the boy's psychological qualms, which have direct parallels to our lives at present, makes this a spiritually moving read.

The wit and mode he uses to drive his message home are second to none.

Humorous, witty, insightful, and evocative, it's a must read.

This is a book for the mind! Extremely philosophical, extremely thought provoking! One character in particular talked all in philosophy. There were things he said that would practically keep me up all night thinking. This book is also a good example of how a bad influence can turn a good person into a down right evil one. But the way Oscar Wilde chooses to portray that in the story is so creative. Also I didn't find this book to be as predictable as most tend to be. I thought the ending was especially unpredictable and creative. The only complaints I have are that in a couple parts it got a little bit slow and it was pretty morbid. I do like happy endings and this book traveled further and further from a happy ending with every page. I guess that's okay because the point Wilde was trying to make was not happy. So overall I rate this book high and recommend it to anyone interested!

Oscar Wilde as leader of the literary wing of the Aesthetic Movement is by most accounts among the most bohemian of the Victorian English writers. Just looking at pictures taken of him reveals his fascination if not preoccupation with the beautiful and luxurious. Reading any work of his we quickly become privy of his style which strives for beauty and quality grammar. His themes revolve around the lives of the well off in the late 19th century and the "Picture of Dorian Grey" is a prime example of Wilde's Work. It is a full-bodied novel that fully takes itself seriously and builds up to a great climax. The plot is relatively simple and while it gives itself away quite early we read on, luxuriating in the beautiful prose and excitement about what's to come. The theme of eternal youth is something we can all relate to and in this world of extreme make over and botox it is a very relevant theme

The book reads quickly and Wilde doesn't waste the readers time developing scenes even though some description approach the extreme. And though Wilde tends to be more philosophical in this work than in others, it fits the story and is not ruinous to the overall effect. This book is a necessary stop along the tour of 19th century English literature and it is a wonderful one. If you enjoy it I recommend you check out some of his short stories: they are quick and some are very good. I recommend this version since it is inexpensive and holds up quite well (I am destructive to books).

Ted Murena

"How sad it is! I shall grow old, and horrible, and dreadful. But this picture will remain always young. It will never be older than this particular day of June...If it were only the other way! If it where I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! For that-for that-I would give everything! Yes, there is nothing in the whole world I would not give! I would give my own soul for that!"

Meet Dorian Gray. He has the perfect look. He shines with such youth and beauty that he amazes everyone he comes in contact with. According to Lord Henry Wotton, however, he does not fully realize what he has. When their mutual friend, Basil Hallward, a painter, decides to paint a portrait of Dorian, he ends up capturing that youth and beauty almost perfectly in his painting. Dorian is mezmerized by it. After listening to Lord Henry's philosophy about how youth and good looks are more important than being good-hearted, Dorian claims he would do anything to let the picture grow old and decay, while he will stay young and beautiful for the rest of his life.

It is only a downward spiral for Dorian after that. He continues to believe in the ways of Lord Henry. His face remains perfect and unlined as he commits sin after sin. The only way anyone would have known Dorian's true colors would be to take a look at his portrait; for his face on the portrait would take on the age lines and the sinister look that Dorian truly should bare in the flesh. The sight of his picture horrifies Dorian so deeply that he locks it up, and would not let anyone look at it. Dorian himself is too afraid to look at it. However, this does not stop Dorian from listening to Lord Henry and believing the same way he does.

Overall, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a great novel. The wit, humor, horror, and philosophy all comes together to make this story exactly what the description of the book says: timeless. The philosophical views of Lord Henry alone will make you question your own outlook on life. The plot is somewhat predictable, and so is the ending, but this doesn't keep Oscar Wilde's only full-length novel from being a great read. Also included in this book are his short stories, Lord Arthur Savile's Crime, The Happy Prince, and The Birthday of the Infanta. Go ahead and pick this book up and start reading.

An interesing and confusing novel. A book I actually enjoyed reading. I don't like to read much, except for the occassional magazine article from Rolling Stone. The book made me want to keep reading. The beginning isn't very good, to me anyways, but it does help you get into the book. There are "third-person" sections that can get pretty confusing, so i suggest folling along. Since it was written in 1891, there is a little Olde-English, but not nearly as much as Othello,by Shakespeare, and not to much to where you don't understand it. One last thing- don't get the urge to skip a page in the beginning, because you will be completely thrown off.

Imagine being beautiful and never growing old. Imagine not being able to be killed by nature or man. Any wounds, weathering or ravaging from age would instead be reflected in a picture of you in the attic...What would you do? Would you help people or would you become warped by your own perversions and desires? The picture captures these nuances as well. Every heart you break and every insult you make transforms the picture. What happens when you look upon the portrait? Will you be oblivious or delve into madness at the horror of who you are? This is the tale of Dorian Grey and is one that anyone who is even mildly introspective must read and consider deeply. Buy it new in the bookstore or find an old battered copy in the used shop -it's a masterpiece no matter how horrible or wonderful it may look on the outside...too bad the same cannot be said for the us...

Relic113

This is really the story that made me fall in love with Oscar Wilde. He's so cynical and sarcastic and witty!! The story is so dark and twisted, even if you can predict the end, you cannot predict all of it. The other stories included in this edition are terrific too, giving a real smorgasboard of his work.

I would first like to start by saying that The Picture of Dorian Gray is, by far, one on my favorite novels. And were I not slightly dissapointed with this particular edition of the novel I would have given it 5 stars, without a doubt.
It is a fabulous story, I would recommend it to anyone.
[As a small sidenote -- I would simply like to say that Wilde's particular style of writing is one which I do, in general, find rather enjoyable.]I have heard some people say that they found this book diffucult to muddle through. I was not one of these people.
Also, The other stories in this book are not bad at all. I enjoyed The Happy Prince quite thoroughly. - *note this particular "fairy tale" was very reminiscent of Hans Christian Anderson's writings.
THE FLAW(S)! I blame the editor for this one -- this book, as far as I have been able to find, does not include the alternate(slightly more drawn-out) ending to this novel. I was, needless to say, a little upset by this missing detail. (If I have merely overlooked this extended ending, by all means let me know)
ANOTHER SMALL FLAW -
If you have not read the book DO NOT, i repeat DO NOT, begin by reading the AUTHORS NOTE. Although the authors note was very insightful and generally enjoyable to read - it easily gives away more than half the plot. The authors note is a spoiler -- BEWARE.
Overall , still a great novel. Not so happy with the editor.

"Diversity of opinion about a work of art shows that the work is new, complex, and vital." ~ Oscar Wilde

In 1890, Oscar Wilde published the first chapters of what would be his only book in "Lippincott's Monthly Magazine" about a man at the pinnacle of his youth who meets two older men - one who paints his portrait, and the other who corrupts his soul.

Dorian Gray sits for portrait artist Basil Hallword in the opening scenes of this story, and the painter captures Dorian's perfection - beauty, youth, and presence. Dorian's reaction upon seeing the painting sets the story in motion: "How sad it is! I shall grow old, and horrible, and dreadful. But this picture will remain always young. It will never be older than this particular day of June...If it were only the other way! If it where I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! For that-for that-I would give everything! Yes, there is nothing in the whole world I would not give! I would give my own soul for that!"

Lord Henry Wotton, or Harry to his friends, introduces young Dorian to Hedonism, convincing him through wit and satire to live out Harry's dreams by dedicating his life to pleasure. What follows is an immensely entertaining, and extremely dark tale of the destruction of young Dorian Gray.

The book, when released, was considered so scandalous, Wilde re-wrote sections and added 6 new chapters in order to appease the public. Its publication contributed to his imprisonment for "gross indecency". Wilde died in poverty within 10 years of its publication.

This particular collection includes three additional short stories.

The introduction is expansive and insightful. This edition has a few additional stories, which gives it something more than similar texts. My only complaint is the physical book itself, which is a small, tough little bulldog of a paperback. It's nothing out of the ordinary for a cheap paperback, I'm merely remarking on my frustration with the thing.