The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
When Oscar Wilde wrote The Picture of Dorian Gray in 1891, it was his second novel. Although initially, the book's reception ranged from being celebrated to absolute condemnation, it has become a staple of classical reading. I have had it on my list for years, but have never managed to read it until now somehow. It has had a number of adaptations made, including an upcoming adaptation by Netflix. It deals with suicide, blood, murder, and classism.
Dorian Gray is in the prime of his life when he arrives in London. Widely thought as beautiful and charming, he wants to maintain his youth and good lucks for as long as he can. He can't think of anything worse than getting old. When he's gifted a portrait painted by his friend Basil Hallward, he begins to notice that the portrait shows not only Dorian's wrinkles as his own face remains unchanged by age, but also the evidence of his sins.
First, allow me to say that this book has one of the most unlikeable characters I've ever met, and spoiler alert it's not Dorian Gray. It's Lord Henry Wotton. I found him to be incredibly pretentious and unlikeable and I basically got irritated every time his name was mentioned. There's a lot of talk about how debased Dorian Gray had gotten as time passed but nothing specific is ever mentioned. I want the gritty details! Obviously, times have changed so I believe that most of what Dorian got up to, I wouldn't think was debased at all, though I do feel like he would disappoint me a lot. Then the pacing changes and things go real hard. Like, dang Dorian. And of course, at the end, nothing changes. Not that you ever really expected Dorian to change.
All in all, I enjoyed this book. An interesting discussion about beauty, ambition, and human nature that remains just as relevant, if not more so, than it was when the novel was written. I'm giving The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde 4 out of 5 stars.
Pairs well with rebinding books in different colors to suit your mood and chaud-froid sauce over chicken.
My favorite quotes:
"...for there is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about and that is not being talked about." This one is probably my favorite.
"Wondering, sometimes, which were more horrible, the signs of sin or the signs of age."
"One can survive everything nowadays except that."
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