Journal Entry 1 by Fire-Dragon from San Francisco, California USA on Saturday, June 12, 2004

Basil Hallward paints a portrait of the young Dorian Gray, showing the beautiful face and pure soul of a young Adonis. When the young man sees the finished picture he is jealous that he will age, while the picture would not, and wishes it could be the other way around - a wish that is magically fulfilled. Dorian Gray abandons himself to every sin imaginable, yet while his companionship brings ruin and misery on those around him, he still retains the outward appearance of serene beauty. Meanwhile the portrait, locked in his attic, degenerates and transforms into the likeness of a satyr.

Gripping and compelling with Oscar Wilde's trademark wit and elegant prose. The imagery is very powerful but not clunky.

Strictly speaking, this is a fantasy but it's such an important and renowned work of literature that I filed it under Literature & Fiction.

I really enjoyed this. I intended to release it at the National Portrait Gallery but would like to send it on a bookring first and then decide whether to give it up, especially since it's a lovely old Penguin paperback from 1962. It's slim and lightweight so would be easy to post. 

Journal Entry 2 by Fire-Dragon from San Francisco, California USA on Saturday, June 26, 2004

This book is going out on an international book ring. NB The ring is now CLOSED.

I have tried to group participants by region and accommodate everyone's shipping preferences. The list of participants is below.

Please make a journal entry when you receive the book and after reading it. There is no set time limit for reading the book but please try to keep it moving.

1. Sandyundead - UK
2. Amanida - UK
3. yourotherleft - US
4. gwendy - US
5. tyvmdear - Canada
6. kelwood - US
... and back to me
7. Fire-Dragon - UK 

Journal Entry 3 by sandyundead from Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Saturday, July 17, 2004

One of many many many books that I got at the National Meet in Birmingham today - thanks for organising it Steve! It was passed to me by FireDragon. 

Journal Entry 4 by sandyundead from Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Thursday, July 22, 2004

This is a fascinating and original story. It was my first Oscar Wilde. I love the wit, even though I have to admit that some of it went over my head! I enjoyed watching the change in Dorian Gray throughout the book, especially in relation to Lord Henry. It was also nice to see some of Wilde's words of wisdom in their original context. I was surprised by how many I recognised. This will now be passed on to Amanida. 

Journal Entry 5 by Amanida from Chertsey, Surrey United Kingdom on Thursday, July 29, 2004

Received in the post today from sandyundead. Thanks! Will finish current book and start reading ASAP. 

Journal Entry 6 by Amanida from Chertsey, Surrey United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 04, 2004

Finished it on my way back from Barcelona to Gatwick - should have been Heathrow, but that's another story. Very enjoyable. I think I missed some of the wit too - I probably read it a bit too quickly. I loved the ending! Will be posted to yourotherleft in the next couple of days. 

Journal Entry 7 by yourotherleft from Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania USA on Thursday, August 19, 2004

This one arrived while I was on vacations along with a few others (since books travel in packs and all). I'll read it as soon as I can and pass it on. Thanks! 

Journal Entry 8 by yourotherleft from Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania USA on Wednesday, December 22, 2004

This was a fascinating story. Maybe I'm reducing it too much, but Harry and Basil reminded me of the figurative Devil and Angel (respectively) on Dorian's shoulders like you see in the movies when a character faces any sort of important decision. It definitely shows how getting what you want definitely doesn't always pay off and that there is a lot of value in punishment for wrongdoing. A great book, but I have to agree with what has been the wit of the story. A lot of it went straight over my head, too.

Thanks for sharing, fire-dragon. This will be in the mail to gwendy tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 9 by gwendy from Rochester, New York USA on Friday, December 31, 2004

rec'd today 

Journal Entry 10 by tyvmdear from Thompson, Manitoba Canada on Monday, February 14, 2005

Arrived today.
Thank you for including me in this ring.
I will journal my thoughts when done.

UPDATE March 12/05

I am reading this book and have been for weeks. I am having a hard time getting through more than a couple of pages a night. I will continue reading this book and then I will send on to Fire-Dragon as kelwood has asked to be skipped.

Thank you for the extra time to finish this book. 

Journal Entry 11 by tyvmdear from Thompson, Manitoba Canada on Sunday, March 13, 2005

I have finally finished reading this book. I can't say that I really liked it but I can't say that I disliked it either.
thank you for sharing this book with me and giving me the extra time that I needed to finish reading.

I will be sending it back home tomorrow.
 

Journal Entry 12 by tyvmdear from Thompson, Manitoba Canada on Monday, March 14, 2005

On its way home to Fire-Dragon in London England, VIA airmail. 

Journal Entry 13 by Fire-Dragon from San Francisco, California USA on Saturday, February 11, 2006

I did get this back in the post a while ago. Sorry for not journalling to confirm its safe return sooner.