The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wild (1890)
A masterpiece
Book cover blurb
If it were I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! For that - for that - I would give everything!
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My Review
I definitely have a passion for this kind of classic prose. I find such delight in the guarded nature of the language's frankness. I love the way such blunt conversations can be carried out in such an inoffensive manner. Also, how such lingering writing can be so absorbing.
To date I have only read two true classics, this and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, both of which utterly swept me away by not being in a rush to tell their story, but instead felt free to meander through beautiful detail. I've found this quite refreshing compared to today's offerings which are in a constant rush to keep you on the edge of your seat and exhaust you with their onslaught of constant happenings.
But to the story itself. I found it to be quite a tragic tale of a man who is simply swept along, initially, by implanted notions not his own, and the chain effect of a path he was influenced towards. The story is fairly predictable but by no means is the enjoyment reduced by it, as the simple pleasure of the language and colourful characters do a fantastic job of holding your interest. I found myself utterly absorbed and intrigued by the character of Harry. An utter scoundrel, completely comfortable in his questionable nature, beliefs and convictions. And the man I lay blame on for the inadvertent downfall of the impressionable young master Gray.
If I were forced to highlight any kind of downside to this book I would have to point a finger at chapter eleven as it jars quite abruptly. I understand what Wilde was doing here, showing the passage of time, but devoting an entire chapter to it, and specifying in some detail all the multiple interests and indulgences of Dorian Gray during the period, just seemed unnecessary and forced, self-indulgent even? But readers were very different back in 1890 and this kind of indulgence may have been all the rage at the time, so who am I to challenge the validity of such a chapter?
But overall, to my mind, this is a masterpiece of writing.
(Review addition)
I read this book around five months ago and it's still occupying a portion of my brain, reminding me of its existence with constant memories of varying delights from within those pages. And because of this, I felt compelled to elevate this book, obviously now one of my favourites, from a four-star rating to a five, despite chapter eleven. And deservingly place it on my 'All Time Favourites' shelf!
My copy of this novel
Barnes & Noble flexibound edition.
Published in 2015
214 pages
ISBN 9781435159587