The Picture of Dorian Gray

By: Oscar Wilde

Libby audiobook 8 hours

Read by: Simon Vance

Published: 2008 (this version)

Also the Libby ebook shared via Project Gutenberg (2010)

Originally published: 1890 (as a novella) / 1891

Genre: Gothic novel, historical fiction now! also a bit paranormal. . .  

 

This is one of those "classic" books I've often seen referenced but wanted to read for myself. I mostly listened (and Vance's vocal work is excellent) but almost wish I'd read all the text. You just get more and different meaning by looking at the words.

 

My initial reaction was that the book was mostly about the artist, Basil Hallward. Then Lord Henry met Dorian Gray and the story just spiraled. Lord Henry's philosophies ran toward the glory of hedonism and his comments on the "hideousness of age" impacted Dorian's sense of self-worth. His beauty was more precious than anything. When Basil presented him with the painting of himself, Dorian wished that he would keep his youthful looks and the portrait would age. Ugh. Deal with the devil . . . 

 

Dorian turns on his young love, Sibyl Vane, when she is so distracted by her love for him. His cruel rejection of her starts his downward trajectory in life. His portrait shows his moral downfall while Dorian stays youthful in appearance for years. Wikipedia has an excellent summary of the story.

 

As I listened / read, I came to see Lord Henry as more and more of a villain. Yes, Dorian is responsible for his own choices, but what an awful "friend" Lord Henry Wotton is! He definitely gave poor advice, always encouraging Dorian to be selfish and wicked.

 

*** Stop Here to Avoid Spoilers!!!***

 

When Dorian runs into Basil before his trip to France, I had hoped that it might be a turning point for the young man. Instead, he ends up murdering his former friend. Then he coerces another former friend into helping him get rid of the body. That friend is later dead from suicide. I actually was glad that Dorian killed himself when he finally tried to stab the picture. His choices led him from one evil to the next. Yuk!

 

I had thought that I might get the movie version to watch after reading the book. The 1945 version interests me . . . but I may just skip it. The love of debauchery isn't really my thing.