A classic. I have actually never read this book 'properly', only skimmed it and read pieces here and there. I plan to read it now though, and once I do I will release it as I already have the novel in a Collected Works edition. This edition is just so much easier to read. :-)

Oscar Wilde is a genius and I will accept no argument to the contrary. This novel therefore I am certain is a masterpiece. :-) I bought it at the traditional semiannual flea market at Tåsen elementary school in Oslo, on October 22nd, 2006.

Am reading this now.

Finished reading this during the holidays.

This was pretty much as I had expected from the bits and pieces that I'd read previously. Very well written, with a lot of Wilde himself in it, I think. The story is fascinating and well conceived, although in parts somewhat implausible ... I can't quite make myself believe that Dorian's physical appearance remains completely unchanged for 18 years and no one suspects a thing. Especially since he's so young, what, 20, when it starts. Oh well, suspension of disbelief and all that ... :-)

The plot: The young & handsome Dorian Gray meets the artist Basil Hallward who is immensely inspired by him and, among other works of art, paints a portrait of Dorian which is just as beautiful as the original - so beautiful, in fact, that it quite upsets its subject, making him realize that one day he will no longer be this young and lovely, but that the painting will always remain so and will always remind him of what he has lost. He wishes intently that it should be the other way around - that the painting should become old and repulsive and that he himself will stay as he is, forever. Somehow this wish comes true and Dorian is free to indulge himself in a life of sinful depravity. This, of course, is not without its price - but it leaves its mark entirely on the painting. But of course something so foul and unnatural is bound to come to a wicked end, and so it does, unsurprisingly.

This is a book well worth reading for several reasons. It's very interesting as an insight into Victorian England, the mindset of the times. It's valuable as a part of Wilde's work as it displays to the reader a lot of his thoughts and beliefs, and it also prefigures several of his later works (plays). And last but not least, it's a fascinating and very entertaining story, excellently written.

Fellow BCer shimi wants to read this book, so I'm reserving it for her. I will bring it along to the first ever Oslo meetup on Saturday, February 24th. :-)

RELEASE NOTES:

I gave this book to shimi at meetup today. I hope she'll enjoy it. Happy reading!! :-)

I got this book from LeishaCamden at the meetup yesterday. Thanks a lot! :)

I did not know quite what to expect from this book, not being particularly knowledgeable in Oscar Wilde's works, and not too well-read in the classics. However, this book was a delightful read! I felt a resemblance to a fable, where the parts in itself weren't too surprising in itself, but where the total was all worth it. The book gave an interesting look into late 18th century culture, and of human nature at its worst. Very well-written, good character development, and absolutely worth reading. The only part I didn't like was the chapter where Dorian listed all the things that he had aquired, which I thought was a bit tedious (it's only one chapter, though!).

Taking this back to the next Oslo meetup, expecting it to end up in the SkeiveFilmerBCZ bookshelf (http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/SkeiveFilmerBCZ) to be released at the Oslo Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in June.

Donated for the project by shimi. Thank you!! :-)

RELEASE NOTES:

This will be released somewhere at Cinemateket, in the lobby or the café.