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Summary: Wilde Over Beauty
Review: This very well-written novel really shows the talent of a great mind. I read the book practically in one sitting, and found myself very interested. Beauty, Murder, and great writing, all in one.
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Summary: Glad to be finished writing a research paper about this book
Review: First of all: I wish people would stop deconstructing Oscar Wilde before they deconstruct his message. He should be free to contradict himself, because "the way of paradoxes is the way of truth" (Dorian Gray). Secondly: I liked it, but didn't relate to the Victorian art scene and the "choose-life-before-art" message. It's worth reading, but I'd say Wilde's plays and poetry are more fun.
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Summary: The heavy price of eternal youth
Review: The Picture of Dorian Gray, a story of morals, psychology and poetic justice, has furnished Oscar Wilde with the status of a classical writer. It takes place in 19th-century England, and tells of a man in the bloom of his youth who will remain forever young.Basil Hallward is a merely average painter until he meets Dorian Gray and becomes his friend. But Dorian, who is blessed with an angelic beauty, inspires Hallward to create his ultimate masterpiece. Awed by the perfection of this rendering, he utters the wish to be able to retain the good looks of his youth while the picture were the one to deteriorate with age. But when Dorian discovers the painting cruelly altered and realizes that his wish has been fulfilled, he ponders changing his hedonistic approach. Dorian Gray's sharp social criticism has provoked audible controversy and protest upon the book's 1890 publication, and only years later was it to rise to classical status. Written in the style of a Greek tragedy, it is popularly interpreted as an analogy to Wilde's own tragic life. Despite this, the book is laced with the right amounts of the author's perpetual jaunty wit.
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Summary: overrated, but still worth reading
Review: I had really high expectations for this novel, which were not fulfilled. The novel consists of mostly "mindless" dialogue and the true story does not really occur until the book is half over. then the story picks up pace until Dorian's descriptions of a book (totally unrelated to the rest of the novel) drag on. Once that portion of the book concludes, the end briskly approaches. Overall, I think I was expecting a more emotional response to this, which never occured.
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Summary: This book was very mysterious:)
Review: I feel sad that I couldn't give this book more than two stars. I thought the book was too boring, and event hough there was a secret message(I will not comment on Dorian being a homosexual, though)in this book ,it somehow left be quite empty actually. Maybe I didn't like this book ,because I didn't understand Dorian or the character's. I don't know. But you people describe it so well, that I feel like I've missed something important. The plot was pretty good and simple, but I got bored reading endless conversations and walks and stuff. Maybe if I read the book again,I can giva a better review on it. I surely hope so:)
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Summary: A book that makes you think!
Review: I think Dorian Gray is a book that is different for different people. For me it was a new experience, because I haven't read many books from the 19th century. I would believe that at the time when it was first published, it was a very different book for everyone. You can definetly see that the book contains lots of homosexual stuff. I think it's amazing that Oscar Wilde had the courage to write about that at such an early time. The book touched something deep in me even though it didn't have anything to do with my life or my present situation.
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Summary: A terrible waste of a great story idea!
Review: I did not like this piece. I feel that Oscar Wilde used this as a semi-autobiographical vehicle to transport his radical, eccentric ideas and ideals. He speaks through his characters of Lord Henry and Dorian Gray. They seek to justify debauchery and murder and they kill off anyone who is good, kind, moral or differs in opinion with them. A good read, perhaps, for the likes of the 42nd president of the USA. This book falls far short of it's hype and offers absolutely nothing of merit.
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Summary: It is a very thematic book but not real spellbinding
Review: I was not too fond of the book but some people might like it. If you are the type of person who likes to meditate on the books that you read, this book might be good for you. I brought up many ideas that provoke thought.
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Summary: Oscar Wilde, an aritst of Beauty, broke the mold of his time
Review: I do not know words to describe the way I feel about this book. The first time, with the exception of one chapter, I could not put it down. I have been hooked on Oscar Wilde since. I researched the period and wrote a term paper on this book alone, and after that, when I still was not satisfied, bought his complete works, a book of quotations, and a book about his plays. I only wish by byeing these books I could understand and be swallowed into the beauty of his wisdom. I can sometimes be an obsessive person, and I suppose this is how my review sounds at this point, but don't let your opinion of me detract you from interest in this book.It's worth giving a try...you may become hooked too (by the way for Wilde fans..the movie WILDE is a great window into his life). This book is written with beauty and the words flow like poetry...warning though...people with closed minds towards homosexuality should think of choosing a different book. One of the most descriptive and hiddenly believable parts of this book is the secret feelings Lord Henry has for Dorean. I don't want to misinterpret the book, but i believe Lord Henry's feelings to be more than fatherly...great excelent story!! my favorite book!! what more can be said???-SArah
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Summary: A book reflective of the author
Review: Picture of Dorian Gray was written by a man who was egocentric, socially polished and forever looking for the quiticential colloquialism. Notwithstanding, this book was a pleasure to read! It was easy to understand and was smattered with references to events and literature which were likely considered posh by English nobility in the mid-ninteenth century (i.e. Shakespeare, Greek Mythology, etc.). As stated above, this book is very reflective of the author in both spirit and style. I would definately recommend this book to a beginner reader of the English classics, due to its length and lack of confounding implicies which are common for this type of literature.
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