May 18, 2016

The Picture of Dorian Gray By: Oscar Wilde Review (MY ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOK)

This is not the first time that I have read The Picture of Dorian Gray. It's not even the second time I've read it. As many of you may know from following my blog The Picture of Dorian Gray is my all time favorite novel. Which oddly makes it the hardest to review. I've been trying to decide what to say about this one for a while now. Mostly this review is rambling and fangirling, but how do you review your favorite novel without giving away the best parts of it? Which is the WHOLE book. Plus I think I put too much pressure on myself for this review because I wanted it to really express my love of the book accurately. Not sure if I've succeeded, but here it is finally!
#ReviewingCanBeHard

First of all I just love that feeling when I pick up a favorite book and I can't wait to dive back into the familiar story that I already know is fantastic. This one is particularly special to me and I have this lovely leather bound edition (see picture above) that makes it even more enjoyable. Yeah, I'm a total booknerd and I'm not sorry.  Anyway I try to read this one once a year, but sadly I didn't have the chance last year. So I was really overdue for a re-read! 
#I'mABooknerdAndI'mNotSorry

I just had so much fun with my re-read of The Picture of Dorian Gray.  Oscar Wilde is a genius and there is so much to enjoy in this novel. There are so many parts that make you think, really THINK. Especially in regards to good, evil, morals, ID (Sigmund Freud ID), influence, and manipulation. I could dissect this book so much, but you just have to read the book and see for yourself what you think about it. Dorian is my favorite literary character and in my opinion the most fascinating. All three of the main characters Dorian, Lord Henry, and Basil are quite an interesting trio though. 
#OscarWildeIsMyHomeboy

Another thing I really love about the book is the QUOTES. We all know Oscar is the king of quotes and man there are so many good ones packed into this novel. One of my favorites: 
“Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming. This is a fault. Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope. They are the elect to whom beautiful things mean only Beauty. There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all.” 
#QuotesMaster

Overall The Picture of Dorian Gray is a masterpiece meant to be devoured and then re-read many times. I get more from it each time I read it and I love that it makes you think. Also, this novel has one of my favorite book endings of all time. A little off topic, but have you ever played that game what five people dead or alive would you want to have dinner with? Oscar Wilde is my number one choice for sure! In case you're curious my others are Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, Sylvia Plath, and Sigmund Freud. That would be such an entertaining dinner party!! HA! What would your choices be?
#What5PeopleDeadOrAliveWouldYouWantToHaveDinnerWith

I recommend The Picture of Dorian Gray for everyone. Okay, not really. I know this isn't a book for everyone, but a definite must for gothic and victorian novel fans. I also recommend looking up facts about Oscar's life as well. It's fascinating and you can really see where this novel stemmed from. 
#GiveItAWhirl

*In the end I had so much fun writing this review. Even though it took a lot of time to organize my thoughts a bit. Sorry for the delay getting this review out!*





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