Book Review of
The Picture of Dorian Gray
In this celebrated work, his only novel, Wilde forged a devastating portrait of the effects of evil and debauchery on a young aesthete in late-19th-century England. Combining elements of the Gothic horror novel and decadent French fiction, the book centers on a striking premise: As Dorian Gray sinks into a life of crime and gross sensuality, his body retains perfect youth and vigor while his recently painted portrait grows day by day into a hideous record of evil, which he must keep hidden from the world. For over a century, this mesmerizing tale of horror and suspense has enjoyed wide popularity. It ranks as one of Wilde’s most important creations and among the classic achievements of its kind.
Grace's Review
So I had to read The Picture of Dorian Gray for my British Literature II class. I will say that it was a pretty good for a classic, especially since I sometimes find them dry. I found this book to be rather odd, but also a good story of vanity and hate. I kind of liked it at parts, but other times it was just weird. It is not too long of a book, but it does have some slower parts of conversation and description that felt a bit dry. I will also say that Oscar Wilde did do a good job of creating interesting characters who I was always wondering about. If you enjoy classics, than this is up your alley, but if you don’t love them, this may not be a book for you unless you love descriptions and inner conflicts of man.