The Picture of Dorian Gray
Oscar Wilde
first published in 1891
213 pages
I read the Penguin Classics version, even though I think the cover doesn’t do Dorian justice.
Despite a certain denseness to Wilde’s writing, I loved this story. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again…Wilde writes like he wants every line to be quotable. This can make some of the dialogue a bit tough to digest. Is there such a thing as being too witty? Because I prefer my dialogue to just flow. I don’t want to have to think that hard about what Wilde was trying to say.
However, if you can overcome Wilde’s style, I think this is a kick-ass story. And it’s rare that I say that about a classic. In fact, I usually say they suck.
When we first meet Dorian Gray he is young and impressionable. Dorian is sitting for a portrait, being painted by Basil Hallward, who is enthralled by the handsome young man. However, Dorian soon falls until the influence of Basil’s friend, the jaded Lord Henry. Lord Henry is all about living in the moment, for pleasure, and enjoying the beautiful things in life. After Basil finishes the painting, Dorian offhandedly comments that he wishes he could always be as beautiful as he is in the portrait.
Whammo. Wish fulfilled. (Not that Wilde would’ve said whammo, but it’s a word I happen to enjoy.)
As Dorian ages, we see him turn into a cruel, depraved man who gives no thought to the consequences of his actions. However, on the surface, he remains the beautiful young man Basil painted. The painting, though, reflects Dorian’s true nature. It wrinkles, it sneers, it develops a cruel mien. It is the personification of evil. It is the true Dorian.
Dorian can hardly bear to look at himself in the painting. And at times, he almost develops a conscience. Almost. This is part of the genius of the book…just when you think Dorian will redeem himself, he doesn’t. Despite his awful actions and callous behavior, I still wanted Dorian to see the light, so to speak, and realize that he could turn himself around. And a few times, I thought he would do it. Silly me.
And then there’s the ending. Honestly, I didn’t see it coming, and it was just oh, so perfect.
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to this book. I think there’s a lot of Wilde in it, particularly his beliefs about beauty and aestheticism. I could just see Wilde in the role of Lord Henry. And I think it does a MUCH better job of fleshing out the good v. evil theme that Jekyll and Hyde also illustrates. Rumor has it that Jekyll and Hyde was dashed off by Stevenson in just a few days, and I think it shows. On the other hand, Dorian Gray is a fully developed novel, with great depth and layers and characters (with the exception of Sybil Vane, who I couldn’t stand, even if she does have a great name).
So not only do I declare Dorian the winner of round 2 of Dueling Monsters, I think he’s my favorite of ALL of the monsters we’ve read. Unless we’re going with campy, and then I have to go back to my buddy Dracula. But if you’re looking for sophisticated evil, Dorian’s the guy.
I also read the graphic novel adaptation of the book.
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Illustrated by I.N.J. Culbard and adapted by Ian Edginton
2008
119 pages
Published by SelfMadeHero
This is a terrific adaptation of the book. It faithfully follows the original, and pulls out some of the best lines from the novel. It also does a great job showing the deterioration of Dorian’s character in the portrait. My only quibble is that Dorian is not blonde.
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And no FTC, I didn’t forget you. I bought both of these books, and it was totally worth it.
I’m glad you enjoyed this one so much, especially given your history with the classics, but I just don’t get it. I did not like this one as much as Dracula (despite the abundance of flowery writing in there) or Jekyll/Hyde. But I think that, in the case of J/H, I’m just more a fan of simple and to-the-point “monster” stories. I really found myself sucked into that audiobook while with Dorian my mind kept wandering – it wasn’t as intense.
I love these books nearly equally, so it was really difficult to pick a winner for me. I do agree that there is a lot more literary layers in Dorian, but the punch, atmosphere, voice, and prose of J&H are so much better. That’s not to say they aren’t good in Dorian, because they are. You’re right – Lord Henry is like Wilde personified! And if you do read more Wilde, like his plays, the dialog is infinitely more natural and fun and fast and easy to read. I was shocked at how different his plays were from Dorian Gray. They dont’ feel like they’re from the same author at all.
About J&H though, I can only say if Stevenson jotted that off in a couple of days, I’m getting extreme writer’s envy at him being able to write so well so quickly! The language in that book is masterful!!
(ps – I agree with you about the GN. He should definitely be blond!)
You brought up the one flaw that I have with the book, the lack of the big whammo moment. It is the one point in where I think the movie did a million times better. In the book, Dorian just casually wishes that he could always look like he does in the portrait and tra la la, it happens. In the movie, he happens to grab hold of a Egyptian statue (of Isis, I think) and Lord Henry tells him to be careful because it is believed that it has special powers. Then Dorian wishes the jingo about the portrait and whammo.
No matter, Wilde rocks this battle.Think of how dangerous it was to write such a beautiful novel, at that time, that had as its main character a homosexual man. He did it lovingly and with a lot of innuendo, but he faced the monsters that we are still facing today.
I love Dorian Gray. It’s a great story but it is also amazing to read and recognize so many “sayings” I’ve heard before and even used myself.
Yay! I loved Dorian Gray. I read it with my bookclub and we noticed excessive use of ‘flung.’ People flung into sofas and chairs quite often. It became a running joke, like a drinking game. But it was a great story!
I enjoyed the graphic novel too.
That explains why so many clever quotes are attributed to Wilde; he just loaded all his works with them.
I see your point. How much is too much? I do want to read this novel soon.
Hmm, I’m not into blondes, so I wouldn’t mind the graphic novel
However, as the classic novel is ‘kick ass’ and ‘doesn’t suck,’ that original version would also appeal.
Jill, I love this review! I’ve never read, nor really had the desire to read, THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY. But, you’ve made a believer out of me!
A classic that does not suck????? I’m going to have to try this!
My husband read this one about a year ago and absolutely despised it, so that has made me a little nervous. I definitely feel like I need to read it soon though!
I just finished Dorian Gray yesterday! I really liked it. I haven’t gotten to J&H yet — I have it on audio and it’s on my schedule for this week. But, I think Dorian will be tough to beat.
Yeah, that Penguin cover isn’t smokin’ enough for Dorian!
Ok, you’ve just sold me on this book. I had been vacillating since hearing about the challenge, and the more I read about it, the more I waffled. But now I really want to read this one! Thanks for the excellent review!
Hmmm–sophistocated evil. I like that! I really enjoy Wilde’s writing as well but think I prefer his plays to his prose. I’m still hoping to read J&H but I may just have to call Dorian winner by default.
I just put up my dueling monsters post: http://lifeisapatchworkquilt.com/blog/?p=2983
It was a tough call this time, for me! It came very close to being a tie, but one did edge out.
Thanks for co-hosting–looking forward to what monsters you and Heather come up with for next year!
Oh, man. The ending was just fantastic, wasn’t it?? I think gasped out loud when I read it…
I was surprised that I liked this one so much when I listened to the audio a few years ago.
I love it when people like Oscar Wilde! And you are not the only one who saw Oscar Wilde in Lord Henry. Oscar Wilde said that Lord Henry was what the world saw him as, but Basil Hallward was more what he thought he was really like.
(I love Oscar Wilde!)
I signed up to read J&H, but I declared Dorian the winner in my post. I read Dorian a few years ago and his general ickiness has really stayed with me. I read J&H about a month ago, and I don’t really feel too much toward them. I feel like I should clean my keyboard just after typing Dorian’s name!