The Picture of Dorian Gray and Other Short Stories

Rating:
Summary: Picture of Dorian Gray
Review: "Picture of Dorian Gray" was a cleverly written book with very descriptive laungage. The book takes place over a span of about 20 years, in which the reader sees the transformation of the title character, Dorian Gray. He goes from an innocent boy of about twenty, to a cruel, consciounless man with the appearance of a twenty year old. While the book was entertaining and provided enough description to keep the reader amused, Wilde overdid it at some points, providing too much added information that took away from the simple plot of the novel. Over all though, it was a good book.

Rating:
Summary: The Picture Of Dorian Gray
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: The Picturne of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Review: I found the book sensitive and moving, and still relevant today even though the plot seems somewhat impossible. The way Wilde includes epigrams evey page breaks up the otherwise cocentrated text and makes the story more pleasant. I found myself putting the book down every so often to stop and think about the implications of certain events and take a brak from the intensity, but, at other times, I was totally gripped by the thrilling plot. Yes, at times it moved a little slowly, but Wilde's totally individual and characteristic style managed to bring it off with class.

Rating:
Summary: The Picturne of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Review: I found the book sensitive, moving and still relevant today, even though the plot seems somewhat impossible. The way Wilde includes epigrams evey page breaks up the otherwise cocentrated text and makes the story more pleasant. I found myself putting the book down every so often to stop and think about the implications of certain events and take a break from the intensity, but, at other times, I was totally gripped by the thrilling plot. Yes, at times it moved a little slowly, but Wilde's totally individual and characteristic style managed to bring it off with class.

Rating:
Summary: The Picture Of Dorian Gray
Review: If you were to ask anyone if they would like to look young for the rest of their life, you would mostly think that the anwser would be "yes". When Dorian Gray gazed upon his portrait and mumbled that he wished that he would stay that same as he appears in his portrait, the last thing that Mr. Gray expected was that his wish was going to come true. While time rolls on, Dorians friends start to suspect something of Mr. Gray, but do not really know how to ask him about it. As Mr. Gray's friends grow older, some people find out that Mr. Gray has a secret in the attic of his home.

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Summary: Powerful...
Review: 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...

Rating:
Summary: Picture is an Aesthetic Masterpiece
Review: 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


Rating:
Summary: The Picture of Dorian Gray
Review: Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray is a story of a handsome young man and his transformation from innocence to vile, wickedness. The story is set in London, England in the late 1800's. Through his acquaintances and a little wish his life is changed. Dorian's personality and manners alter drastically and thus, he begins his downfall. The novel is very descriptive and uses philosophical themes. The use of language is extraordinary and some of the things discussed in the novel really make you think. The story is very morbid and cynical, but beautifully done. At times though, the descriptions and philosophical jibber-jabber can be a bit overdone. Still, I liked this novel and would recommend it to anyone. Once I started reading this, it was hard to put the book down.

Rating:
Summary: The Picture of Dorian Gray
Review: Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray is a story of a handsome young man and his transformation from innocence to vile, wickedness. The story is set in London, England in the late 1800's. Through his acquaintances and a little wish his life is changed. Dorian's personality and manners alter drastically and thus, he begins his downfall. The novel is very descriptive and uses philosophical themes. The use of language is extraordinary and some of the things discussed in the novel really make you think. The story is very morbid and cynical, but beautifully done. At times though, the descriptions and philosophical jibber-jabber can be a bit overdone. Still, I liked this novel and would recommend it to anyone. Once I started reading this, it was hard to put the book down.

Rating:
Summary: Review for Dorian Gray
Review: The Picture of Dorian Gray is an extraordinary story of one man's internal struggle with the morals that society forces upon him. The novel depicts the influence of others and the fascination with the forbidden. The antagonist of the novel, Lord Henry, opens Dorian's eyes to the world of sin. He teaches Dorian that obtaining beauty surpasses intelligence. He looks down on any original thought that contradicts his own philosophies. This novel spreads the message that an ugly soul will show through if given time, and that people can see through deceiving actions. Many times, I found the focus on materialism and conceit to be irksome. However, a book provoking thought and emotion is a book worth reading.