Picture of Dorian Gray (Wordsworth Classics)
2 journalers for this copy...
I haven't read this since high-school freshman English class. I couldn't pass up the opportunity when I found a really inexpensive copy. I think it's time for a re-read.
Will read and make available for release.
From the back cover:
With an introduction by Dr. Joseph Bristow, University of York.
This is a story of moral corruption. Although not shocking by the standards of the late twentieth century, the book and its celebrated Preface, which contained the conclusion "All art is quite useless', attracted such outraged reviews as "Why go grubbing in muck-heaps?" on its publication. The later, kinder judgement of the DNB praised the work as being "full of subtle impressionism and highly wrought epigram'.
Crafted in brilliant prose, the book is of lasting importance as a singular example of Wilde's brilliance applied to the novel.
The text is taken from the Paris edition published in Montmartre, 1908.
Will read and make available for release.
From the back cover:
With an introduction by Dr. Joseph Bristow, University of York.
This is a story of moral corruption. Although not shocking by the standards of the late twentieth century, the book and its celebrated Preface, which contained the conclusion "All art is quite useless', attracted such outraged reviews as "Why go grubbing in muck-heaps?" on its publication. The later, kinder judgement of the DNB praised the work as being "full of subtle impressionism and highly wrought epigram'.
Crafted in brilliant prose, the book is of lasting importance as a singular example of Wilde's brilliance applied to the novel.
The text is taken from the Paris edition published in Montmartre, 1908.
This is promised to Soraidh once I'm finished. Enjoy!
I finished this one tonight. What a read! It's amazing to read this with an eye from more "modern" times--the acts that once seemed the heart of depravity are now broadcast every day on television it seems.
This edition has an introduction by Dr. Joseph Bristow. I found the introduction to be quite interesting and nearly as fascinating as the novel itself. It was helpful to have some information about the climate of the times when this novel was written and published. I've always found the life of Oscar Wilde to be fascinating, and the introduction also delves into a bit of his history. This edition also has extensive footnotes--some of them were quite helpful, some were just plain interesting, and some barely seemed worth the time to turn to the back of the book to read them.
The tale of the young, innocent Dorian Gray who falls under the watchful, almost obsessive eye of Lord Henry Wotton is timeless (pardon the pun). After having his portrait painted by Basil Hallward (his conscience?), Dorian utters a frantic prayer that he will maintain his youth while the portrait suffers all the indignities of his sins and his aging. Be careful what you wish for! A life of poor choices, mistreatment of others, scandalous activities, greed, idleness, and wasteful extravagence result in Dorian's self-hatred and loathing.
Wilde paints a picture of London in the late 1800s that is anything but flattering. Cynical, sarcastic, and biting, Wilde writes of a society too focused on the idle rich--those who spend their time talking and spending money rather than contributing in any meaningful way to the society around them. The writing is humorous, fresh, and fluid. Dorian himself ponders why the older generation doesn't understand that in his day and time, unnecessary things are the only necessities of life. One of my favorite quotes is from Lord Henry who remarks on Dorian's ageless face, "I wish you would tell me your secret. To get back my youth I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early, or be respectable!"
Great read. I'm glad I re-visited it after all these years. Now it is on its way to Soraidh! Enjoy. :)
This edition has an introduction by Dr. Joseph Bristow. I found the introduction to be quite interesting and nearly as fascinating as the novel itself. It was helpful to have some information about the climate of the times when this novel was written and published. I've always found the life of Oscar Wilde to be fascinating, and the introduction also delves into a bit of his history. This edition also has extensive footnotes--some of them were quite helpful, some were just plain interesting, and some barely seemed worth the time to turn to the back of the book to read them.
The tale of the young, innocent Dorian Gray who falls under the watchful, almost obsessive eye of Lord Henry Wotton is timeless (pardon the pun). After having his portrait painted by Basil Hallward (his conscience?), Dorian utters a frantic prayer that he will maintain his youth while the portrait suffers all the indignities of his sins and his aging. Be careful what you wish for! A life of poor choices, mistreatment of others, scandalous activities, greed, idleness, and wasteful extravagence result in Dorian's self-hatred and loathing.
Wilde paints a picture of London in the late 1800s that is anything but flattering. Cynical, sarcastic, and biting, Wilde writes of a society too focused on the idle rich--those who spend their time talking and spending money rather than contributing in any meaningful way to the society around them. The writing is humorous, fresh, and fluid. Dorian himself ponders why the older generation doesn't understand that in his day and time, unnecessary things are the only necessities of life. One of my favorite quotes is from Lord Henry who remarks on Dorian's ageless face, "I wish you would tell me your secret. To get back my youth I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early, or be respectable!"
Great read. I'm glad I re-visited it after all these years. Now it is on its way to Soraidh! Enjoy. :)
Okay, how cheesy is this? I became interested in this book (and snapped it up on the Relay site) after sitting through The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen in August. Each "gentleman," for one is a lady, brings a unique talent to a quest. One of the gentlemen was Dorian Grey and I realized I had never read Oscar Wilde's story of his picture. I'm looking forward to reading it now! Thanks mellion!
