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Reader discussion: The Picture of Dorian Gray

Public reader discussion about The Picture of Dorian Gray in the WeRead Catalog by Oscar Wilde.

What is your favourite quote from the picture of Dorian Gray?

By wandersSnow

Oscar Wilde really is great at coming up with memorable quotes.

Is it accurate to call “The Picture of Dorian Gray” a work of Irish fiction?

By blue_tiger

Even though *The Picture of Dorian Gray* doesn’t really have much to do with Ireland—no real Irish setting and it’s mostly Victorian England with British characters—it’s still Oscar Wilde, so he’s definitely Irish. So I’m not sure how accurate it is to call the book “Irish fiction.” Like, does the author being Irish matter more, or does the actual setting have to fit too?

Just finished reading the picture of dorian gray

By curiousBookmark

Honestly, wow. This book was so good. Dorian’s slide into madness reads really smoothly, and it’s wild how Wilde shows that outside stuff can push you off track without you realizing it’s happening. I just feel awful for Basil and Sybil—they really didn’t deserve what came for them. And I know it’s kind of bleak, but it also feels realistic. Like, good people don’t always get the happy ending in real life either. And Harry… he’s such a manipulative, arrogant jerk, but somehow you still end up liking him, and I get why everyone around him is pulled in. Dorian especially. I agreed with some of what he was saying, but other parts—his whole attitude toward women—were annoying as hell and also super pretentious. Overall I’m really impressed by how Wilde built these characters that actually feel full and human. I’d love to chat with anyone about it. Also, does anyone have recommendations for what to read next?

Dorian Gray has revitalized me

By moss_harbor56

So I’m in a book club that does classic novels, and the one we just started is *The Picture of Dorian Gray* by Oscar Wilde. I know a little about Wilde’s life and I’d heard the basic setup, but I’ve never actually read anything by him before. Since I’m into gothic stuff and those “made a deal with the devil” type stories, I was genuinely excited going in. And wow—this book has totally grabbed me. I feel kind of obsessed, honestly. I’m always reading something, but I haven’t had this level of excitement for a book in ages. The weird part is I can’t even explain it super clearly. I think part of it is that it feels kind of scandalous, like it probably was a big deal when it came out. The writing is also really pretty. And the way Wilde talks about the men is honestly unlike anything I’ve read before—I’m really into it. It’s tragic, but also somehow gorgeous. I’m doing the audiobook, and there were moments where I actually reacted out loud and gasped (like, I remember chapter 7 specifically). I even went and bought the “uncensored edition” so I can read it again once I finish the audio. Sorry if this sounds all over the place 😅 I’m not the most articulate, but I really wanted to say something because I don’t really get responses in our online club. Also I’ve been keeping little notes like every time someone plops onto a couch, every time “cried” shows up instead of “said,” and whenever the book leans into flower imagery. Anyway, I’m having a lot of fun with it and it’s honestly giving me energy when I read and talk about it. I’d love to hear what other people think too!

My review for The Picture Of Dorian Gray By Oscar Wilde

By tidebeacon1973

This book basically tracks this young guy going down hill after he falls for his own portrait and wants to stay young forever. He kind of trades his soul for eternal youth and beauty, and yeah, it’s his vanity and wants that end up wrecking him. His friends, Basil Hallward and Lord Henry Wotton, both affect him, but Henry’s whole slippery “you’re better than you think” vibe really screws with Dorian’s head. I think the writing is really sharp too, and it honestly gets into that whole hedonism vs abstinence thing in a pretty interesting way. It feels like a solid warning about how being obsessed with your appearance and thinking you’re above everyone can ruin your life. Also there are way too many quote-worthy lines from this book—it’s kind of unreal. Lord Henry is such a fascinating character, like he’s just irresistibly bad. Overall it’s pretty easy to get through for a classic, except for one chapter (11… that one is just annoying lol). 4/5 for me!

My modern dream cast for The Picture of Dorian Gray

By wisebridge63

Pretty much perfect—only I play Dorian, and yeah, I named myself after him lol 😛

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde: thoughts?

By bookworm15

I’m a big Oscar Wilde fan, and I honestly wasn’t let down by his one novel. I really like his style, and I think it works even better in longer prose than it does in the plays—there’s this fancy, over-the-top vocabulary where the eloquence really comes through. Of course, that’s just my take, so I’m curious: what do you all think? More of my thoughts are here: http://criticaldan4th.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/being-wilde-for-the-picture-of-dorian-gray/

Censored vs uncensored version of The Picture of Dorian Gray

By Silent-Fox2002

I’m trying to figure out what Oscar Wilde originally meant and how queer the whole thing is, but I’m kind of nervous I’ll miss stuff. Which version have you all read? Is there one you’d actually recommend over the others? What did you like or not like about the one you read—preferably no spoilers, please.

Amazed at Oscar Wilde - The Picture of Dorian Gray

By stanzasolar

So I randomly grabbed *The Picture of Dorian Gray* (1890) just to read a bit, and of course the author immediately starts getting into Henry’s whole take on psychology. A couple lines really threw me for a loop—like the idea that “human life” is the real thing worth investigating, and that the only way to properly analyze passion is sort of through an “experimental” method (which I’m assuming is more about how the character plays with Dorian than actual lab science). It also goes into how the dangerous part isn’t just desire, it’s the way imagination changes it, and how we lie to ourselves about where our passions come from—like the motives we’re most aware of are still not the ones that end up controlling us. And then the whole book keeps circling the body/mind/soul boundary in a way that feels a lot like stuff people associate with Freud later. I’m kind of in awe, but also honestly not sure what to make of it: were these ideas already kind of floating around back then, or is Wilde being more of a trailblazer, or is this guy basically way ahead of his time? I tried looking around online but couldn’t find anything fast, and I really don’t want spoilers (I only barely remember how it ends). If anyone knows anything about the “zeitgeist” around these concepts before psychoanalysis took off, I’d love recommendations for reading or just any pointers on what people usually say about this stuff.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde [Classics](1890)

By Lone-Pocket1983

Wait, what’s actually making this book stand out? It says there are free audiobook illustrations included and that it’s unabridged, but the rest feels a bit all over the place. From what I’m seeing, Dorian Gray started as a philosophical novel by Oscar Wilde, first fully published in that July 1890 issue of Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine. The editor apparently worried it was indecent and cut out about five hundred words without Wilde even knowing. Still, British reviewers got pretty upset and some even thought Wilde should’ve been prosecuted for messing with public morality laws. Then Wilde fought back hard in letters to the press, but I guess he also removed parts he considered too controversial when he revised it and expanded it for the next year’s book release.

The Picture of Dorian Gray: Relevance Remains?

By basil-warm74

I guess when I say it’s ahead of its time, I’m not talking about how it’s written, more like the story itself. If you’ve read it, did it feel like it could’ve happened in real life, or like you’ve seen it in someone you know? Also, yeah it’s really well written, but the whole thing about a guy slowly going bitter and messed up because he’s obsessing over pleasure (and his looks) still feels super relevant. I keep thinking about how people judge others based on how they look. Like sometimes pretty people get a lot of sympathy or support even when they’ve done something bad, and then other folks who aren’t conventionally attractive get treated like they’re “off” or creepy, or even blamed for things they didn’t do. And it’s not just social stuff either—people try to hold onto that “young” look with surgery, weird stuff online and in real life, and even the way they dress. Unpopular take maybe, but I honestly feel like Lord Henry is kind of like social media in a way. The whole philosophy he feeds Dorian (whether it’s smart or not) sticks with him and affects him for real. Like what if Lord Henry is basically a constant stream of influence that convinces you to want things you don’t even need—buy this, change that, chase that kind of attention, etc. Either way, I feel like it all ties back to the fear of never staying beautiful. People get scared of aging—skin dropping, your features changing, your body changing, losing what you care about most. Dorian knows his looks won’t last forever, so he basically tries to swap that out with the portrait Basil makes. And once that wish actually works, he ends up living this super hedonistic life, with Lord Henry kind of steering him along. If you’ve read it, did you feel like you could relate at all? Also, this book was honestly amazing. Chapter 11 was a little… questionable, haha. If you know, you know.

Just read The Picture of Dorian Gray

By RedPorch300

I really think this might be my favorite book now. The descriptions are so packed with tiny details and mood, and the people in it feel really alive. The dialogue is clever and funny too. The whole dramatic side and the artistic side just fit together so well in Dorian’s story. It’s a really interesting read, honestly, with all that inner chaos and the awful way it shows what life can be like. It also has that bit about genius lasting longer than beauty, and how people cram themselves full of facts and random stuff because they want something that sticks around. And then there’s that line about a hostess and her guests, where she either makes them sound totally ordinary or tells you everything except the one thing you actually want to know. I’m sure I’ll read this one again a bunch of times, but next I’m moving on to his plays. I’d guess there’s some of Oscar’s brilliance in those too. And if anyone has recs with the same sort of mood, gothic feel, wit, and themes, I’d love to hear them.

Has Anyone Seen the New 'Picture of Dorian Gray' Play on Broadway

By SwiftCarrot

I’m not in New York, but I’m thinking of going before the show’s initial run wraps up in June. I’ve seen a few things about it and I’ve heard mostly good stuff so far. The whole “she plays all 26 roles” thing sounds kind of wild, and I’m curious if it actually lives up to the hype.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.

By InkNight

Finished this book and overall I liked it. Sybil Vane was probably my favorite—she comes across as really sweet and genuine, even if it’s kind of unfortunate that she ends up falling for the main character, who doesn’t exactly seem like a good guy (he’s pretty cruel). I did get a little stuck on some of the sentences, especially when Lord Henry was talking. And there’s one chapter that felt a bit over the top, like it goes into way more detail than it really needs. I’m not sure why all of that was necessary for the story. That said, I could totally see how modern movies might’ve pulled ideas from stuff like this—there’s that moment where he tries to hide the painter’s body, and also when Dorian goes to that sketchy spot and runs into Sybil Vane’s brother. I enjoyed it, but I wish the ending had more drama or something to really punch harder.

Discussion: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

By cup_cold

This book was basically a scandal from the start. People got really bothered by all the hints about awful stuff, and later it even got brought up during Wilde’s trial in 1895. I’m not totally sure I’d call it “clean” at all, but the whole idea is that Dorian is obsessed with his own portrait and ends up trading something big just to stay young and good-looking. After that, he kind of slides into a rotten double life—still trying to look respectable on the outside, while the real damage shows up only in the picture. It feels like a grim look at how late Victorian society could hide a lot.

Picture of Dorian Gray: what does lord henry think why Dorian stays young?

By paperbackgreen

Honestly, I kept thinking the book would have more of a real talk between Lord Henry and Dorian. Like, I’d been waiting for them to discuss how Dorian still hasn’t aged since they first met (it’s been around 20 years, right?). But we don’t really get that. There are only small bits where they mention Basil, and Henry clocks that Dorian hasn’t changed, but it never turns into a proper, deeper conversation or anything. Also, I was kind of disappointed there wasn’t a scene where Henry sees Dorian for the last time (or even hears about his death). Anyway, I just finished and I’m really curious what everyone else thinks about it! Feel free to share anything, I’m excited to read your thoughts :)

What's your favorite quote from The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde?

By Carries-Marble7

I’m really enjoying all the great quotes in this book, and Lord Henry’s are probably my favorite. What’s yours?

Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, illustrated, 1925

By plasmaarch20

I’m not really sure what to make of it—any chance there’s a link or more info?

Struggling to understand "The picture of Dorian Gray", help?

By stormBasket902

Hey, I’m 20 and I’m trying to get back into reading, but I haven’t finished a book in ages. The last series I actually got through was Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy, and that was a few years ago. I’m on chapter 11 right now, and I’m honestly having a hard time keeping up with a lot of what’s being said. I’ve been looking up words I don’t know (or that seem like they could mean something different), but it still leaves me confused pretty often. Does anyone have any tips for improving comprehension or anything like that? Thanks!

The Picture of Dorian Gray - I have one beef with this book

By comfortCreek

I actually really liked this book—like, the whole setup and the way the characters are written are great. But why are there so many pages just… listing what Dorian is into?? It honestly felt like I was stuck in an endless inventory. I learned about tons of different tapestries, random jewels, and these kind of hand-wavy descriptions of musical instruments. It also made me feel like Wilde was throwing in pop-culture style references, but set in the 1800s. Like did people back then just read those parts and go, “yep, I, too, love the story of Henry II and his jeweled gloves”? Am I the only one who thought all those pages got a little dry?