Category - Fiction / Classics
Format - Paperback
Condition - Like New
Listed - 10 months ago
Views - 56
Wishes - 4
Ships From - New Jersey
Est. Publication Date - May 2003
Seller Description
Oscar Wilde brings his enormous gifts for astute social observation and sparkling prose to The Picture of Dorian Gray, his dreamlike story of a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. This dandy, who remains forever unchanged--petulant, hedonistic, vain, and amoral--while a painting of him ages and grows increasingly hideous with the years, has been horrifying. enchanting, obsessing. even corrupting readers for more than a hundred vears. Taking the reader in and out of London drawing rooms, to the heights of aes. theticism, and to the depths of decadence, The Picture of Dorian Gray is not only a melodrama about moral corruption. Laced with bon mots and vivid depictions of upper-class refinement, it is also a fascinating look at the milieu of Wilde's fin-de-siècle world and a manifesto of the creed "Art for Art's Sake.' The ever-quotable Wilde, who once delighted London with his scintillating plays, scandalized readers with this, his only novel. Upon publication, Dorian was condemned as dangerous, poisonous, stupid, vulgar, and immoral, and Wilde as a "driveling pedant." The novel, in fact, was used against Wilde at his much-publicized trials for "gross indecency." which led to his imprisonment and exile on the European continent. Even so, The Picture of Dorian Gray firmly established Wilde as one of the great voices of the Aesthetic movement, and endures as a classic that is as timeless as its hero.
Additional Information
The Picture of Dorian Gray
ISBN: 9781593080259
Publisher Description
First published in 1890, The Picture of Dorian Gray tells the story of a young man named Dorian Gray, who is the subject of a portrait painted by artist Basil Hallward. Upon seeing the finished portra...
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What readers are saying about this book
Summarized by Pango AI
PangoBooks readers find the book captivating yet complex, showcasing brilliant writing and iconic characters. Many appreciate its compelling exploration of themes like class, privilege, and the nuances of romantic love, particularly in a same-sex context. While some feel the latter half of the book drags, the first half is widely praised for its intrigue. It’s frequently described as dark, beautiful, haunting, and thought-provoking, fitting well within the dark academia genre. Overall, it's celebrated for its classic status, rich prose, and deep, troubling narrative on the corruption of the soul.