The Picture of Dorian Grey, Oscar Wilde
I had a couple of problems with this book. A few were totally superficial - for example, I couldn't decide which cover to use for the post. When it was first published in 1890, it was published as a novel in a magazine, not in it's own book. However, the magazine contained a great deal more than Wilde's story itself, and didn't indicate to my satisfaction the presence of the story, so I vetoed that cover. My other options were primarily modern reprints, and on all of them, the model (whether an illustration or photograph) was generally very ugly. Given that the entire premise of the events of the book is that Dorian Grey is an incredibly attractive young man (considered 'beautiful' by many of his contemporaries), I wasn't happy with an ugly model as young Dorian. Hence, this cover. While it's declaration of "Oscar Wilde's most famous novel" is incredibly tacky (and also a bit misleading - Dorian Grey is Wilde's only published novel), it was the only one which I was kind of okay with.
Anyway, onto the book itself. The first thing I would say is that the writing itself is so extravagant at times it almost seems obtuse. However, despite this, it is incredibly flowery and literally, a feast of words. Take, for example, the opening sentence:
"The studio was filled with the rich odour of roses, and when the light summer wind stirred amidst the trees of the garden, there came through the open door the heavy scent of the lilac, or the more delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn."
Just...think of everything you got there, in just one sentence. And that was only one sense.
It was when I actually considered what the words were saying, some of it just made me angry. At first, it was simply at Wilde himself - the phrasing was so incredibly arrogant that I didn't believe that anyone could affect that kind of attitude. Of course, it does fit in with the character, but still. I found it very frustrating to read.
However, Wilde certainly tells a provoking and evocative story, and one that, despite how it might make you feel, you will want to finish. Gothic without being overly dark, The Picture of Dorian Grey treads the thin line between sublime and prodigality, as each word tantalizes the reader.
Besides, once you've read the book, then you can watch the movie. Or watch Ben Barnes play Dorian Grey, at least. And if that isn't motivation enough, I don't know what is.
Tell me what you think! :)
xKath
Even as a monstrous paint person, he's hot.
*swoon*
"The studio was filled with the rich odour of roses, and when the light summer wind stirred amidst the trees of the garden, there came through the open door the heavy scent of the lilac, or the more delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn."
Just...think of everything you got there, in just one sentence. And that was only one sense.
It was when I actually considered what the words were saying, some of it just made me angry. At first, it was simply at Wilde himself - the phrasing was so incredibly arrogant that I didn't believe that anyone could affect that kind of attitude. Of course, it does fit in with the character, but still. I found it very frustrating to read.
However, Wilde certainly tells a provoking and evocative story, and one that, despite how it might make you feel, you will want to finish. Gothic without being overly dark, The Picture of Dorian Grey treads the thin line between sublime and prodigality, as each word tantalizes the reader.
Besides, once you've read the book, then you can watch the movie. Or watch Ben Barnes play Dorian Grey, at least. And if that isn't motivation enough, I don't know what is.
Tell me what you think! :)
xKath
Even as a monstrous paint person, he's hot.
*swoon*
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