The Picture of Dorian Gray
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Oscar Wilde's sole novel about a portrait that ages while its subject remains young.
This edition presents the complete text of Wilde’s singular work of fiction. It was originally published in Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine before appearing as a full novel. The narrative follows Dorian Gray through his descent into moral corruption, driven by a wish that his portrait would bear the burden of time. The story engages with late nineteenth-century debates on aestheticism and hedonism. It offers a critical look at how art influences life and vice versa. The book suits readers interested in Victorian literature and ethical philosophy. It may not appeal to those who prefer modern genres or light entertainment.
Published in April 1891, this novel emerged from the late nineteenth-century literary scene. It was preceded by a novella version in Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine. The work reflects the era's fascination with art for art's sake and sparked significant controversy upon release due to its challenging themes.
📝 Description: The Picture of Dorian Gray
💎 Our verdict on The Picture of Dorian Gray
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Readers interested in Victorian literature and ethical philosophy will find this volume rewarding for its dense philosophical discourse and aesthetic theory. It offers a critical look at how beauty can corrupt the soul when separated from ethical responsibility, making it ideal for those who appreciate characters debating the nature of existence and the value of sensory experience. The narrative provides a cautionary tale about vanity and moral decay, exploring the intersection of art and morality. Those seeking to understand late nineteenth-century cultural debates on hedonism will gain significant insight. It is less suitable for readers preferring modern genres or light entertainment, as the pacing is deliberate and the subject matter challenging rather than offering fast-paced action.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Wilde’s sole novel masterfully explores the intersection of art, morality, and aestheticism through a cautionary tale about vanity and moral decay. The text draws upon Gothic and supernatural traditions to present a narrative where beauty corrupts the soul when divorced from ethical responsibility. Wilde’s trademark wit permeates the story as characters engage in debates on existence and sensory experience. This edition presents the complete original text, untouched by later censorship controversies. It suits readers who appreciate dense philosophical discourse and aesthetic theory over straightforward moral lessons. Those seeking fast-paced action may find the deliberate pacing challenging, but the work remains a profound examination of how art influences life within Victorian literary traditions.
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📖 From the series “Legend Classics”
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🏛 Books from this publisher Legends Press
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