BOOK DISCUSSION: The Picture of Dorian Gray Caution Contains Spoilers

Sounds like people are ready for this discussion to start. I'm not going to join in at the moment. I read this years ago, but I'm not into reading something this dark at the moment. But that's the wonderful benefit of these discussions, we can join in whenever we're ready.

So, have at it everyone.

I haven't read this since college, and I'm not into a reread at this point either, but this is a great gothic goose bump-inducing read, with some over-the-top imagery. Loved it as a 20-something!

I happen to prefer Oscar Wilde's humorous stuff more, though. He used a lighter hand there.

I can't wait to see what folks have to say.

Plus, thanks for doing this, katylit. You rock. :o)

Thanks katylit.

I will just say (for now) that this was one of those books that I thought I had read. The story is so prevalent that my mind played tricks on me.

If I had read it when I was younger I would probably have given up part of the way through. The long descriptions of jewels and fabrics and the excesses of the past seemed to take forever to read, I just could not focus for more than a few words. After finishing that chapter I think of it as an insight into the sheer ennui that Dorian must be feeling in his search for new sensation.

I remember reading this as my introduction to Oscar Wilde and I was totally blown away. The social commentary, let alone the imagery, has made it one of my favourite books of all time. The film looks promising. I guess we'll have to comment back once we've all seen it.

Darn it! I KNEW I was supposed to be reading something for this group!

*toddles off to grab her new copy* (there's just something so magical about reading a new book for the first time...)

Be back with thoughts soon! Thanks katylit!

I read it last year and am anxious to read others thoughts of the book. It is my first and so far only Oscar Wilde book.

This is the only book that I have read by Oscar Wilde and I loved it :) I haven't read it in a while but (please, don't shoot me) I am going to see the film tomorrow night.

I just finished my first read of Dorian Gray recently -- fascinating novel. I’m still mulling over it. The wit was fun, but a bit acerbic for my tastes. I loved the scene with Sybil Vane’s family where the mother wouldn’t stop acting! I thought how the characters developed was interesting. Dorian himself was so vapid at the beginning, and Lord Henry was rather intriguing in his slimy way. By the end I was starting to find L.H.‘s cynical comebacks monotonous, and I was more interested in Dorian with all of his wild mood swings. Then there was Basil--I just like hopelessly romantic characters. I was so sad about what happened to him, even though I saw it coming.

My edition also included an appendix of some of the horrified reviews that came out in Wilde’s time. They were entertaining in their own right, given how tame it looks by today’s standards.

MuggleMagic, how did you like the movie? I was thinking of seeing it myself. It seems to be getting a lot of negative reviews though.

I really enjoyed the film. When I watch an adaptation of a well loved book, whether it be TV or film, I always try to seperate myself from the book and see the film for what it is - a visual interpretation. A lot of people on other book forums are comparing the differances and there are two BIG differences. I won't spoil anything here though incase people want to watch the film.

As a film on its own - I really enjoyed it. My boyfriend LOVED it too but then he hasn't read the book.

I finally got around to reading and reviewing Dorian Gray and I found it intriguing. At first I liked Lord Henry but by the end I found him to be too cynical and a bit of an ass.

You know how cartoons have the little angel and devil sitting on someone's shoulders whispering conflicting suggestions? To me Basil and Henry were Dorian's angel and devil, pushing and pulling on his actions, and slowly Henry won. He never even new to what extent either.

While this ended a little 'dark', I certainly wouldn't consider it much into the realm of dark lit by any stretch. I didn't think a whole lot of the first 3rd but it just kept getting better and better, until you just 'knew' how it was going to end.

Hot dog! I just looked at hot reviews and my review of Dorian is on the list!

Congratulations on your hot review readafew!

Thanks!

To those who haven't read other Wilde (#6, #7), his short stories are pretty spiffy too.