Book Review: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

This famous story has its fascinating, creative twist at the beginning. Young and beautiful Dorian Gray is being painted by his friend Basil Hallward, a typical British artist who is inspired by something in Dorian. Basil is obsessed by Dorian and the full-size portrait uncannily captures Dorian's appeal. As he is finishing the painting, Basil and Dorian are visited by Lord Henry Wotton. Wotton is a thoroughly modern man for the late 1800s, erudite with a lot of sarcasm and paradoxical wit. Dorian is taken by Wotton's outlook on life, indulging hedonism and cynicism. Wotton makes a comment about how the picture will always be young and beautiful while Dorian is fated to age and decay. Dorian makes a prayerful wish that the picture would age and decay while he himself would stay young and pure in appearance. Wotton's influence encourages this selfish attitude in Dorian and gives him a curiosity to try every possible pleasure in life. As Dorian indulges in the morally questionable and certainly corrupt behavior, the picture starts to change, taking on the demeanor of cruelty and ugliness that is thought to be the natural result of living a profligate life. He hides the painting in an upstairs room, fearing anyone else will see this portrait of his soul. One corruption leads to another. Dorian leaves behind his friendship with Basil and embraces the philosophical and artistic wantonness that Wotton inspires.

The book is a classic of English literature because it examines both the artistic life and the moral life. Wilde's own personality is easy to imagine in various aspects of various characters, trying to live an ultra-modern life without the burdens of the older generation's tastes and morality. Dorian's steady corruption is palpable to the reader, though Dorian is constantly distancing himself from his deeds and his situation. Others in the book, with their superficial appreciation (especially Wotton) refuse to see the real Dorian because his surface appearance is so innocent and wholesome. Dorian descends into a life of paranoia and horror while he tries to maintain a light-hearted indifference. In spite of his efforts and a lot of luck, he cannot escape the psychological penalties of his sins.

The only parts I found a bit dull were the passages about things Dorian had collected, like tapestries and fabric, that are enumerated and described in excruciating detail. It's a bit like all the cetacean biology and whaling techniques that go on and on in Moby Dick. That's a classic too, in spite of the excess verbiage.

Highly recommended--this is up there is Dracula and Frankenstein as great fantastic horror novels. 

This book was discussed on A Good Story is Hard to Find podcast #317. Check it out!