Showing a different side to beauty. (The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde)

Member Name: blackviolets

Product:	The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde
Date:	01/11/09 (97 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good story, easy to read

Disadvantages: n/a

Had the newly produced film not of been brought to my attention I'm certain that I would not of bothered to seek the book out. I wasn't actually aware that it was a novel before hand until I watched something about it on television.

Initially I was surprised as to how small the plot line actually is. Dorian Gray is a young and attractive man. One who has been flattered and admired throughout his life. Friends with a lonely yet romantic man-Basil Hallward- he is encouraged to sit for countless portraits. Yet it is his introduction to Lord Henry Wotton that seems to be his downfall. Seeing Dorian as someone to watch and observe. Or in his words an interesting study.

Although the finished painting is truely magnificent it only creates despair in the young man. Fearing the fact that his handsome features will decline as the years go by. In a fly away comment about selling his soul to remain youthful looking whilst the portrait aged instead, it seems somehow that supernatural powers can exist.

Lord Henry seems to have a good deal of manipulation inside of him. Using certain phrases and comments towards Dorian has different actions. He encourages and persuades him often enough to do things which will stir his emotions . Words which have a great effect on Gray. Despite the fact that some of these are not entirely appropriate for a man in such high society. Especially considering the story is set in the 1800s. Where any scandal could ruin a man or womans reputation for ever. Their name tarnished which Dorian doesn't appear in the slightest to be bothered about.

As the years go by and his two friends begin to age it is a wonder as to why neither happen to mention Dorians lack of change. Drifting apart from Basil Hallward whilst remaining close to Henry is not ideal. Not when Lord Henry is often called wicked, even though it's being done in a teasing sense there is some obvious truth in the statements. With every wrong doing which Dorian commits his portrait grows more and more grotesque.

I cannot like Gray. His slight naivety irritates me as I don't understand how easily led he is. His intense vanity and low little he thinks of others fails to win any sympathy towards any short comings which will come his way.

In contrast to this, Lord Henry is a character I greatly approve of. Yes some of the seemingly wrong doings at that time were probably to do with his manipulative personality but you can't say that he made Dorian do anything he didn't want to do. We aren't actually made aware of a lot of the acts which are commited although it wouldn't take too much of an imagination to figure it out.

With all that in mind the ending was one that I was expecting. That doesn't mean it was a disappointment. With every chapter that went by my enjoyment of the story grew. In some novels you find that characters are given at least one or two moments of pleasant-ness however I have failed to see that in him. From the off I saw Dorian as self obsessed and my opinion failed to change throughout.

I haven't come across a 'classic' which is in this style before. Most have been based around romance, family scandal or orphaned children. Not the supernatural and selling of souls to the devil. On saying that it has been a pleasant surprise. I do intend at some point to watch the film and I can only hope that it brings across the same selfishness of Dorian and the slyness of Lord Henry himself.

You might find this in your library but it is also available on Amazon for £1.99 upwards depending on what style you want the book in. I'd recommend this to anybody who likes a bit of the unexplained in their books. It isn't much but it does the job. Something very easy to read and equally enjoyable.

Summary: .