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Book Review: The Picture of Dorian Gray

Dorian Gray
The portrait aged, but Dorian Gray did not.

Why Review a Classic Fiction?

When you retire, suddenly you have time to catch up on what you missed in life. For me it was reading classic fiction that I’d missed in high school and college. This is one of my favorites, and the Kindle version is free. Before I started writing my review, I decided to search the internet to find out what others said about  The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.

Dorian Gray is beautiful and charming, and egotistical to the point of narcissism. He is a socialité with superficial thinking. When his friend Basil Hallward paints his portrait, Gray immediately wishes that he could stay forever as young and charming as the portrait. Who has not wished that? Unfortunately, for him, the wish comes true.

Gray perverts all that is beautiful in his life. But, every time he sins, the portrait gets older, while Gray stays young and healthy. The book seemed sad and not humorous to me. His life is rife with sex, lies, murder and crime.

Because I was reading, not studying the book, I didn’t realize until I read other critiques that I had missed quite a few of the literary connections. This did not prevent me from enjoying the book. What are your thoughts about this famous book?

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Marsha

Hi, I’m Marsha Ingrao, a retired educator and wife of a retired realtor. My all-consuming hobby is blogging and it has changed my life. My friends live all over the world. In November 2020, we sold everything and retired to the mile-high desert of Prescott, AZ. We live less than five miles from the Granite Dells, four lakes, and hundreds of trails with our dog, Kalev, and two cats, Moji and Nutter Butter. Vince’s sister came with us and lives close by. Every day is a new adventure.

4 responses to “Book Review: The Picture of Dorian Gray”

  1. Fall in Love with Me Before You, Or Not? – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write Avatar
    Fall in Love with Me Before You, Or Not? – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

    […] A+ Book Review: The Picture of Dorian Gray […]

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  2. Marsha Ingrao Avatar
    Marsha Ingrao

    I received this comment on Facebook Group Intentional Blog Course. Hi Marsha. What a great idea! Currently I am running two blogs that contain book reviews, and also play reviews of local productions in the Denver area. My Intentional Blogging blog is focusing on Weird West fiction. It’s at http://www.weirdwestroundup.com and my author page, which also includes book reviews of urban fantasy, horror and the like, is at http://www.patrickdorn.com. Are either of these of any interest to you and your readers?

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  3. the eternal traveller Avatar
    the eternal traveller

    Dorian Gray is one of my favourites too. I haven’t read it since I was in high school. Maybe it’s time I dusted it off and read it again.

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    1. Marsha Ingrao Avatar
      Marsha Ingrao

      I didn’t read many classics in high school, which is why I started reading them. What a great imagination he had. Great book!

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