The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Review 2/5

Overall Impression: This is a clever little book full of philosophy and morals, but it just wasn’t for me.

When I said in my Dorian read-along post that it would be interesting if one of us hated the book so that we could get some debates going, it hadn’t even occurred to me that the person might be me! I was so sure I was going to love this book, I had been looking forward to reading it for ages. Gothic novels are my favourite type of literature but I just couldn’t get into this one for some reason. I know a lot of you love this novel, so maybe you can share your wisdom with me so I can appreciate it more and be less of a party pooper?
I can tell that in its time this little book would have turned a lot of heads, it’s daring, uncompromising and has a great premise. So why god dammit why do I feel so indifferent to it all?!
This book is also on the The Rory Gilmore Challenge.

Dorian is a good-natured young man until he discovers the power of his own exceptional beauty. As he gradually sinks deeper into a frivolous, glamorous world of selfish luxury, he apparently remains physically unchanged by the stresses of his corrupt lifestyle and untouched by age. But up in his attic, hidden behind a curtain, his portrait tells a different story.

Basil Hallward is an artist obsessed. Obsessed with the naïve and youthful vision that is Dorian Gray. When Dorian sits for another of Basil’s portraits they are interrupted by the obnoxious and obtuse Lord Henry. He is desperate to meet the muse for himself, seeing in the portrait something special of his own, the potential to guide, observe and influence. 

The Picture of Dorian Gray Read-Along: Check In #3

Here are the last set of questions for The Picture of Dorian Gray Readalong hosted by Miscrawl with some really interesting questions! I had a lot of fun with the readalong, the questions really help you get more out of the book. 😀 Look out for my official review of the book tomorrow.
*PLEASE NOTE: This post does contain book spoilers so please read at your own caution.*

Open Book Journeys

*SPOILERS*

Well, this is it! We’ve all finished reading The Picture of Dorian Gray so we can finally part ways with him. I think it’s safe to say that we all had varying levels of enjoyment with both Dorian and Wilde’s way with words. Here are the final batch of questions, asked by yours truly. I should point out that my questions completely give away the book, so look away now if you’d rather not know anything. 

View original post 2,142 more words

The Picture of Dorian Gray read-along check in #2

Here’s our second The Picture of Dorian Gray Readathon Check In including my answers to the next set of questions about the book. Bookboodle is hosting this one and I’m sure she would love it if you popped by to say hi. 🙂

*PLEASE NOTE: this second check in does contain book spoilers so please read at your own caution.*

bookboodle

So here we are at the second check in for the blog read-along of The Picture of Dorian Gray. So far, I’m not loving it, having seen the 2009 adaptation I still feel I’m waiting for something momentous to happen. Perhaps all will be revealed in the final 6 chapters.

Here are the questions and answers that I set for the second discussion:

What impact does Sibyl’s suicide have on Dorian?

Bookboodle

I think that Dorian was embarrassed to have built up Sybil to Basil and Henry as this amazing actress and was utterly disappointed in her performance. He was incredibly cruel to her probably due to realising that he enjoyed her acting more than Sibyl herself. When he notices the change in the painting and then learns of Sibyl’s death this seems to prompt the start of the loss of self-control.

Blogs-Of-A-Bookaholic

I think Sibyl’s suicide is a real…

View original post 1,639 more words

Dorian Gray Read-along Check In #1

Phew that was quick, we’re at the first check in for The Picture of Dorian Gray Read-along already! We have all reached the end of chapter six which is 72 pages into my copy (and roughly a third of the way through the book).

I was last to the check in point because these guys are reading champions with lightning speed. 😉 I’m going to have to up my game. 😛 Luckily we haven’t set any time limits to reach each point this time so I wasn’t working to a deadline, phew.

If you want to follow our progress and conversations on twitter we are currently using the hashtag #DorianReadalong when we remember to use it, lol.

So as I am hosting the first check in I had to try and come up with some brain boggling, intellectually stimulating, out of this world questions. Whether I succeeded or not is up for debate, but I hope you enjoy our answers.

The Picture of Dorian Gray–Read-along

Howdy! I don’t know about you guys but the sun has finally (emphasis on the FREAKIN’ FINALLY) broken out from its clouded prison in England. Summer has at last arrived and I don’t know what to do with myself! I’m running around all excitedly like a little kid. What should I do first? I must take advantage of this rare occasion! Should I soak up the sun with my friends and party into the late evenings? Take a day trip to somewhere outside BECAUSE I CAN!? It’s too much for my brain to process. Of course, there is one thing I will be doing out in the sun. Can you guess?
Can you?

Can you?

…..

You can can’t you?