A Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde - Book Review

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It is Oscar Wilde's only published novel.

The build up of the central plot was slow and methodical - but it really gives a very emotive insight into the type of Society Victorian London really was. The book was published towards the end (1891) of Victoria's rule. She died in 1901.

Dorian's beauty and youth  are completely worshipped by all people that he comes into contact with and he can be forgiven all his defects due to such appeal, especially by the many smitten ladies he comes into contact with. He exemplifies a Victorian 'celebrity'.

The central concept surrounds a portrait of Dorian who poses for an emerging artist called 'Basil Hallward'.
The painting is the best Basil will ultimately ever paint, perhaps due to the passion and emotion he uses in this work. To Basil, Dorian is the perfect muse who enables him to fully reach his potential.

Dorian is encouraged by his mentor called Lord Henry and affectionately referred to as 'Harry' by Dorian.
Harry has endless philosophies on a variety of subjects such as Love, Marriage, Women etc.
His whimsical attitudes which he proudly shares with Dorian allow the readers to intellectually consider or logically ponder Dorian's predicament.

Harry gives Dorian a 'scandalous' novel which encourages him to live life to excess and invest his time in immoral acts and immoral deeds. This ultimately leads to his downfall.

The painting will eventually enable Dorian to not age physically in 18 years but the portrait becomes the physical representation of Dorian's wounded soul. Dorian seems to magically have power over all he meets due to the power of this 'work of art'. His actions become beyond reproach.

I recommend that you read this Novel if you are interested in Victorian London, moralistic Scandals or Art.
Here is a link :- http://www.amazon.com/Picture-Dorian-Modern-Library-Classics/dp/0375751513

Please note you can obtain this novel for free for the Kindle.


There is also a movie - which is worth watching too.
Here is the trailer