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!

Book Review: The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde

The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde

An American family buys a haunted estate in England in the late 1800s or early 1900s. The Americans are very practical and pragmatic. They don't believe in ghosts and are perfectly ready to clean up the recurring blood spill with Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover and Paragon Detergent, which does indeed work wonders. But the ghost is all too real and all to ready to pull out his best roles from his five hundred years of haunting ("The Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine" is a favorite). The young American twins are quite the terror and put the ghost back on his heels. He tries rattling his chains at night in the hall. Dad recommends a bottle of Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator to reduce the noise. The twins set up tripwires. The ghost has hardly a chance.

The story is a delightful comedy, poking fun at flat-footed American pragmatics and English stuffiness. Even so, the writing isn't harsh or cynical; there's a certain sweetness about it. The ghost did some terrible things during his life but he's long past those deeds and now does little more than fulfill his role as a ghost. The Americans also follow their roles which create the comic conflict between the two cultures and the two situations. The resolution is very satisfactory.

Highly recommended.

This story is discussed on Episode 218 of A Good Story is Hard to Find, their Halloween offering this year!

Book Review: The Picture of Dorian Gray A Graphic Novel

The Picture of Dorian Gray, A Graphic Novel by Oscar Wilde, illustrated by I. N. J. Culbard and adapted by Ian Edginton

The Picture of Dorian Gray was a sensation when it was published in 1890. The beautiful but intellectually slight Dorian Gray inspires his good friend Basil in his artistic endeavors. A portrait of Dorian is his masterpiece. Basil shows his other friend, Lord Henry, who admires it greatly and wants to meet the subject. Lord Henry is a thoroughly modern man with the barbed tongue of a heartless cynic. When Dorian sees the painting and Lord Henry explains how he, Dorian, will grow old and wither while the painting will always remain youthful and innocent, Dorian prays, "If it were only the other way! If it was I who was to be forever young and the picture that was to grow old! For that, I would give everything, there is nothing in the world I would not give...I would give my soul for that!"

Dorian's wish is granted. Under Lord Henry's influence, he develops a strong taste for experience of any sort. He rejects an actress who he has fallen in love with because Lord Henry doesn't like her acting. Dorian cruelly dumps her. The next day, he resolves to make it up to her but finds out that she committed suicide. He looks at the painting and notices the cruel, baggy eyes and the smile that has turned to a scowl. He goes on to live a decadent life, letting the painting receive the consequences of his sins. But can it go on forever?

The story is full of great quotes, which are captured here. The plot is followed closely. The black and white drawing are used effectively, showing the facade of innocence Dorian has through his life while his friends age. The Picture itself is well done, with more character than Dorian himself. The graphic novel is a good summary of the story, but it can't match the lyrical words of Wilde and the greater depth of Dorian's psychological and moral fall that are described in the book. I'd recommend reading the original over reading this, though this is a nice refresher.

Wilde On Forgotten Classics

I have another recording up at Forgotten Classics! This time I read The Nightingale and the Rose by Oscar Wilde. It was a fun story and I am looking forward to doing more.