About this title: Oscar Wilde's classic work is about a man who sells his soul for eternal youth: only his portrait ages, while he remains forever handsome and young. Wilde's allegory, first published in 1890, provides an interesting take on the Faust myth and also a probing examination of human values. Wilde himself described it as the story of "an idea that is old in the history of literature, but to which I have given new form." He was shocked and angered by the response to it by the English press, which considered the novel decadent, corrupting, and--worst of all--French-influenced.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Edition: Reprint. Seventh printing
Binding: Mass-market paperback
Publisher: Dell Publishing Company
Date Published: 1973
ISBN-13:9780440369141ISBN:0440369142
Description: Good. No dust jacket as issued. edge wear and creasing, discoloration. Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. Audience: General/trade. Dell#6914 Laurel Edition read more
Binding: Trade Paperback
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Date Published: 1998-05-28
ISBN-13:9780192833655ISBN:0192833650
Description: Very Good. Trade paperback; 195 p. Very light general wear with one vague ink underline first page and owner name inside cover. Tight, straight, clean copy. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Baronet Books
Date Published: 1995
Description: Good. No dust jacket as issued. Nice hard cover, lightly read, light shelf wear to cover, stk #1128nfm6. 240 p. Includes illustrations. read more
Binding: Mass-market paperback
Publisher: Peter Smith Publisher
Date Published: 1964
ISBN-13:9780804900393ISBN:0804900396
Description: Good. No dust jacket as issued. Signed by previous owner. Light wear and creases in cover, pages lightly tanned, a few small pen marks. Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. Airmont Classic. Audience: Children/juvenile; Young adult. read more
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Covers lightly 'rubbed', pp lightly 'tanned'. Spine NOT creased, NO stains, tears, writing, in tight book. Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Penguin Books
Date Published: 1986
ISBN-13:9780140431872ISBN:014043187X
Description: Good. No dust jacket as issued. Light edge wear to soft cover. Light page tanning form age. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 272 p. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Laurel Editions
Date Published: 1966
Description: Poor. Size: 12mo-over 6¾"-7¾" tall; Cover and pages very worn. Spine and/or corners creased. cover badly torn top and bottom, front. read more
Binding: Mass-market paperback
Publisher: Peter Smith Publisher
Date Published: 1964
ISBN-13:9780804900393ISBN:0804900396
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. surface indention where sticker was. light readers crease. light tip creases/wear. soft browning. Airmont Classic Series CL39 read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Magnum Books (Magnum Easy Eye Books)
Date Published: 1968
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Large print paperback edition. Covers are straight. Corners are straight. Text mildly tanned but free of markings. Binding is tight. Book sits nice and square. read more
"This book may have somewhat of a slow start; however, it is worth reading. There lies within a deeper "moral story" for each of us, who dare to finish this one! An interesting story line, which I have never seen duplicated."
Dorian Gray is an irresistibly handsome (and utterly selfish) socialite concerned with superficialities of the ego: appearance, beauty, passion, youth and image. One day, after his artist friend paints his picture, Gray expresses his desire to remain as young and handsome as he is in the portrait, and for the portrait to instead be the one to age. His wish is realized. As Gray enters deeper into a life of sin and crime, he remains young and physically unaffected, while his portrait grows older and uglier, reflecting the evil nature of his soul.
I found this concept fascinating in and of itself, but also for the questions it raises about what truly defines beauty, how our actions affect not only who we are but the lives of others, the weight of our transgressions on the soul, and how or if we can redeem ourselves.
I do wish Wilde had stayed a bit more focused on the above and less on some of the elitist-type social discussions between characters. The book is at times (in my opinion) a bit over-dramatic and heavy in many somewhat pompous dialogues, particularly Chapter 11. Though, I guess this is not surprising, as the The Picture of Dorian Gray is Wilde's only novel, and he is of course known for his plays (which require drama and heavy dialogue). I didn't love this book as much as the first time I read it, but I did enjoy revisiting it again. Overall, definitely worth the time!"
"Oscar Wilde certainly had a way with words. Having just read a chick lit romance prior to this it took me a little while to get into the rhythms of someone literate. I must admit that this reading was tainted by images of the movie, but was definitely worth it. In light of all the hideous sins that are found in today's world, it was actually a relief to read about basic indulgences and debauchery told from a different point in time. After I put the book down, I went and read the Wiki page on it, which was fascinating."
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