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The Picture of Dorian Gray
The Picture of Dorian Gray
The artist is the creator of beautiful things. To reveal art and conceal the artist is art's aim. The critic is he who can translate into another manner or a new material his impression of beautiful things.
Book Excerpt
a restaurant. How could I admire her? But tell me, what did she say about Mr. Dorian Gray?"
"Oh, something like, 'Charming boy--poor dear mother and I absolutely inseparable. Quite forget what he does--afraid he--doesn't do anything--oh, yes, plays the piano--or is it the violin, dear Mr. Gray?' Neither of us could help laughing, and we became friends at once."
"Laughter is not at all a bad beginning for a friendship, and it is far the best ending for one," said the young lord, plucking another daisy.
Hallward shook his head. "You don't understand what friendship is, Harry," he murmured--"or what enmity is, for that matter. You like every one; that is to say, you are indifferent to every one."
"How horribly unjust of you!" cried Lord Henry, tilting his hat back and looking up at the little clouds that, like ravelled skeins of glossy white silk, were drifting across the hollowed turquoise of the summer sky. "Yes; horribly unjust of you. I make a great difference between people. I ch
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I struggled getting through this classic. I disliked the main character and became frustrated and bored with his selfishness and obsession for beauty and youth. I was so happy to finally get to the end, just so I could check this off my list. I'm happy I made it through and can now understand references made to this book, but I struggled to complete it.
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A magnificent piece of literary work! The language is exquisite: beautiful metaphors, excellent sentences and brilliant dialogues. The characters are built with very realistic and deep psychological understanding. I've read this book a couple of times, but I will probably reach for it again in the future.
This is Oscar Wilde at his best!
This is Oscar Wilde at his best!
08/26/2011
This is an extraordinary book. I have been studying english and I have founded this great master piece.
07/26/2010
So, i read this classic. I never really like classics in the first place but some-how or the other Dorian gray's character and moreover Lord Henry's character seduced me into reading this book! And i have to say, That my only regret is not finding this wondrous piece of literature earlier.
04/08/2010
Just finished it, and I agree with some of the other reviewers. I know its a classic and I should like it, but I just don't. I felt that there were entire chapters that were unnecessary and only put in so that the author could show off his wordplay. Not horrible, but there are definitely better things to read.
01/04/2010
Absolutely love this book. It is in my top ten of all time classics, and worthy of being so. All i can say is a big thank you as i now have it to read on my computer whenever i wish. I am currently on my third copy of the book itself and that is a little worn. Thank you for the free download.
05/13/2009
My absolute favorite. It is strikingly whitty throughout, with lush and vivid description and wonderfully entertaining characters. It is altogether aesthetically pleasing and an absolute joy to read, assuming that it is to your taste.
08/22/2008
I'm a huge fan of classical literature and I know this is a classic. Having said that, although I am a fan of 98% of what is considered classic, I simply do not enjoy this work. Whenever that happens I consider it to be a lack of comprehension on my part, because after all - it's a classic!
What happens in this book? Dorian has a painting made of him. His psyche spirals downward but is manifest by the deterioration of the painting, apparently not him. That's about it folks.
There are far too many deeply penetrating studies of the human psyche to spend your time on. Reach for a Russian classic. Reach for something, but I'd move this one to the bottom of the stack.
What happens in this book? Dorian has a painting made of him. His psyche spirals downward but is manifest by the deterioration of the painting, apparently not him. That's about it folks.
There are far too many deeply penetrating studies of the human psyche to spend your time on. Reach for a Russian classic. Reach for something, but I'd move this one to the bottom of the stack.
06/02/2008
I read this book for an English report, and it is pure Oscar Wilde. It is a very interesting book, and holds your attention all the way through to the end.
01/18/2007