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The Picture of Dorian Gray

An astounding novel of decadence, debauchery, and secrecy from one of Ireland's greatest writers. Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read

Enthralled by his own exquisite portrait, Dorian Gray makes a Faustian bargain to sell his soul in exchange for eternal youth and beauty. Under the influence of Lord Henry Wotton, he is drawn into a corrupt double life, where he is able to indulge his desires while remaining a gentleman in the eyes of polite society. Only Dorian's picture bears the traces of his decadence.

A knowing account of a secret life and an analysis of the darker side of late Victorian society. The Picture of Dorian Gray offers a disturbing portrait of an individual coming face to face with the reality of his soul. Shocking in its suggestion of unspeakable sin, this novel was later used as evidence against Wilde when he was tried for indecency in 1895. 

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

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304 pages

Average rating: 7.68

644 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

MichaelaG
Jan 14, 2025
7/10 stars
One chapter was super random, otherwise good, some things not fleshed out/loose ends
Anonymous
Jan 11, 2025
8/10 stars
This book was able to captivate me despite my dislike (?) for the main character Dorian. I had a certain view of this book coming into it, but it turned out to be a different tone than expected. Still, I enjoyed the flowery writing and the suspense, and although the ending was predictable, it was satisfying. In a way, it’s a Greek tragedy, a character ruined by his own best trait. And my poor Basil.. <3
whothehelliskaitlin
Dec 23, 2024
6/10 stars
I really enjoyed the Victorian aesthetic and supernatural elements to this novel as well as how the novel went against every Victorian expectation. The plot was very intriguing to me and was what pushed me through the novel along with my general love for Oscar Wilde. Despite this, I am giving it only three stars because although the plot drew me in the novel did take a while to get me to want to read it. Although I know the point of Lord Henry's character was to be unlikable, I found it hard to force myself to read through his hypocritic philosophical rants. It was also hard to force myself to get through the many pages where nothing happened plot wise and it was just Wilde going on and on about Victorian life and art. So for me, the book having an interesting plot mixed with the more boring tedious parts of the novel equals 3 stars. I am glad I read the book but I would not reread it.
Anonymous
Nov 18, 2024
6/10 stars
Overall I liked it but it wasn't extraordinary 3.75/5. The ornate prose is not overdone like Dicken's third person pov but IMO It isn't the most exclusive feature of this book, also judging it only by its prose is kind of shallow which our man Wilde doesn't approve of. Chapter 11 was a bit like a summary of some years of Dorian's life. I would've liked more elaboration on his hedonism tbh :hmmmmmmm: Victorians were too fussy about many normal things. I liked the philosophical exploration or art, aesthetic along with morality but it wasn't that spellbinding, the main theme was confined to that issue only and at this point in modern times, after reading so much about Faustian bargains or the horrible limits people can go on to preserve their outer appearance. It didn't seem like some great discovery. Btw Wilde's occasional incorporation of witty dialogues was great!!
Now some life lessons self-proclaimed intellectual, Andy has learned from this book- people really need to wake up from the notion of associating only aesthetics and beauty with a scale of morality and how pursuing it only limits not only their intellectual growth but restricts them from opening up their true selves with others around them, creating a paradox of lies and deception.
Considering all of these I would say it was pretty nice but I just wasn't particularly impressed by it, it is on my mid-level radar
DaisyH
Nov 06, 2024
4/10 stars
For such a short book this was so long. Not my cup of tea

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