The Picture of Dorian Gray
Author: Oscar Wilde
Genre: Gothic Fiction, Classic Literature, Philosophical Fiction
Published: 1890
Rating: ★★★★★ – 5/5
“Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.”
– The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray tells the story of a man who never seems to age, even as his choices grow darker and more selfish. While Dorian’s face stays perfect, a portrait hidden away shows the real cost of his actions. It’s creepy,
thought-provoking, and weirdly beautiful in the way it handles guilt, vanity, and influence.
This was my first time reading Oscar Wilde, and I didn’t expect to love it this much. People had warned me that the writing might be too “old-fashioned” or too heavy—but honestly, it wasn’t. It’s smart and layered, yes, but it’s also incredibly readable. Wilde’s style is sharp, funny, emotional, and so quo
table. He says things you want to underline and come back to later. I’ll definitely be picking up more of his work.
Heads up: There are both censored and uncensored versions of this book out there. If that matters to you (and it should), make sure you know which one you’re getting.
– Dorian Gray –
Dorian is the kind of character who gets under your skin. He starts off charming and curious, and you can almost understand how
things go wrong—but it’s that slow unraveling that makes him so haunting. What hit me hardest is that he knows he’s going down the wrong path, but he keeps going anyway. Watching that happen in real time, watching someone become the worst version of themselves while fully aware of it—that’s what makes Dorian so unforgettable.
– Lord Henry –
Lord Henry is a walking quote machine. Every time he opens his mouth, it’s with something clever, biting, or just plain dangerous. He’s funny, but also a little scary—like someone who enjoys pulling strings just to see what happens. His influence on Dorian is a big part of the book, and even though I didn’t like him, I couldn’t look away. He’s the kind of character who challenges everything and stands for nothing, and that makes him fascinating.
– Basil Hallward –
Basil is probably the heart of the book. He’s kind, sincere, and actually cares about Dorian as a person. While everyone else sees Dorian as beautiful or interesting, Basil sees something deeper. That makes his role in the story feel real and sad and necessary. He doesn’t get as many flashy moments as Lord Henry, but he’s the one who made me feel something.
– My Honest Review –
I loved this book. It’s eerie and elegant in all the right ways, and it made me think a lot about how easy it is to hide behind appearances—how we can look fine on the outside while falling apart inside. Wilde doesn’t just tell a creepy story; he builds a whole atmosphere. The writing is beautiful without being overcomplicated, and the characters are so vivid that you remember them long after you’ve closed the book.
What really impressed me was how modern it felt. For a book written in the 1800s, it doesn’t feel stiff or distant. It’s sharp, emotional, and sometimes even funny in that dry, Wilde kind of way. The themes—about image, influence, morality—are still completely relevant today.
This wasn’t just a good classic—it was a great one. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to read more slowly just to savor the lines. And once you’re done, you’ll probably find yourself thinking about it for a while afterward.
Happy reading. Just, you know… maybe don’t hang any mysterious portraits in your attic.
