'Dorian Gray' Book Review

Over the course of lockdown, myself and many others have felt tired and have lacked motivation. One way I found to remain motivated was reading; throughout lockdown I have read a variety of books, one of my favourites being The Picture of Dorian Gray, a classic novel by Oscar WIlde.

The book follows the title character’s (Dorian Gray) descent into madness and cruelty, incited by a wish, made in a moment of madness, linking to a sinister painting. From Dorian’s innocent and naive beginnings, the story sees him become a materialistic and impulsive character. As Dorian’s nature becomes increasingly shallow, the bewitched portrait grows withered and shows signs of sin, whilst Dorian’s appearance remains youthful. The end provides a thrilling twist, bringing Dorian close to redemption, only to snatch it away.

The book has several themes, particularly pleasure and pain. The book has ties to Hedonism, a movement that flourished in the late 19th century that believed each person should seek the maximum pleasure available to them, which appears throughout the book. Hedonism influences many of Dorian Gray’s decisions. The other main theme in the book is pain: both the pain Dorian constantly experiences as he sees his withering picture and the pain he causes many others due to his heartless actions. These both impact the reader hugely, and challenge the way they think about pain and pleasure.

The novel has a few problems - mainly the length. The book is quite long, and although the writing is brilliant, it can sometimes feel long-winded. Additionally, some sections can appear rather dull, which can be off putting. However, The Picture of Dorian Gray is extremely well-written. The story is excellently crafted, and the characters are unique and interesting.

Overall, The Picture of Dorian Gray is an amazing book. Although it may help, you don’t have to be into classical literature to enjoy it. I would recommend it to any confident reader, due to its superb writing and brilliant themes.